# Once Human vs ARK

The clearest difference is ads: Once Human at none against ARK's shown. Once Human also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (59% vs 46%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Once Human sells 16 one-off in-app purchases and ARK sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Once Human holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18K and 14K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of Once Human's written reviews are positive against 46% of ARK's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Once Human | ARK |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (18K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/once-human/id1573906210/reviews)** | [4.4 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ark-ultimate-mobile-edition/id6639622324/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **18K** | 14K |
| Positive reviews | **58.6% of reviews** | 45.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#73** | #99 |
| Size | 3.7 GB | 3.3 GB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [NETEASE INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT PTE. LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1485225410) | [Studio Wildcard](https://appshunter.io/developer/1280480537) |

## What reviewers say

### Once Human

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/once-human/id1573906210)

**Currently charting:** #73 Top Free · Adventure, #73 Top Free · Role Playing, #84 Top Grossing · Adventure, #173 Top Grossing · Role Playing (US App Store)

Embark on a multiplayer survival adventure in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by an alien substance. Team up with friends to battle monstrous creatures, build a sanctuary, and uncover the truth behind the world's collapse. Harness supernatural powers to fight, rebuild, or dominate.

**Highlights:** Multiplayer open-world survival, Post-apocalyptic setting, Base building and customization, Battle monstrous aberrations, Harness supernatural powers, Team up with friends, Collect and train Deviation Pals

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Shining New Star Selection Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Abyssal Whale Dream Gift Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| 60 Crystgin | $0.99 | one-time |
| Shining Newbie Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| 330 Crystgin | $4.99 | one-time |
| Meta Pass | $4.99 | one-time |
| Battle Pass (Advanced) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Battle Pass (Upgrade) | $13.99 | one-time |
| 1090 Crystgin | $14.99 | one-time |
| Golden Accord: Astral Ride | $14.99 | one-time |
| Reward Covenant | $19.99 | one-time |
| Battle Pass (Deluxe) | $21.49 | one-time |
| Battle Pass  (Deluxe) | $23.99 | one-time |
| 2280 Crystgin | $29.99 | one-time |
| 3880 Crystgin | $49.99 | one-time |
| 7880 Crystgin | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great game with immersive graphics
- 👍 Solid gameplay mechanics
- 💡 Unique and challenging features
- 🎮 Enjoyable on both PC and mobile

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional performance and graphics issues
- 🔋 High storage requirements on mobile
- 🕹️ Lack of controller support on mobile

**Reported bugs**

- Network errors preventing login
- Stuck on character creation screen
- Persistent bugs with garage and storage

**Requested features**

- Improved mobile controls and responsiveness
- More customization options for character and base
- Seamless cross-platform progression


### ARK

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ark-ultimate-mobile-edition/id6639622324)

**Currently charting:** #99 Top Free · Adventure, #170 Top Grossing · Adventure (US App Store)

Explore vast, savage lands filled with primeval creatures. Tame and ride dinosaurs, team up with others for tribal battles, and embark on an epic adventure. Conquer diverse environments and discover hundreds of unique species.

**Highlights:** Tame and ride primeval creatures, Explore savage lands and diverse environments, Team up for epic tribal battles, Access five huge expansion packs, Discover hundreds of unique species, Conquer boss challenges

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ARK Pass - Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| ARK Pass - Annual | $49.99 | per year |
| 100 Keys | $0.99 | one-time |
| Ragnarok | $2.99 | one-time |
| 500 Keys | $3.99 | one-time |
| Scorched Earth | $5.99 | one-time |
| Aberration | $5.99 | one-time |
| Extinction | $5.99 | one-time |
| 1500 Keys | $9.99 | one-time |
| God Console | $17.99 | one-time |
| 5000 Keys | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Impressive graphics and animations
- 🌐 All maps and content included
- 👍 Smooth gameplay and controls
- 🕹️ Faithful to the PC/console experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🤖 Hackers and cheaters in multiplayer
- 💰 Paid features and content locked behind paywall

**Reported bugs**

- Saving and progress loss issues
- Inventory and taming bugs
- Rendering and collision detection problems
- Unstable server connections

**Requested features**

- Customizable UI and controls
- Offline/local multiplayer mode
- More graphics and performance options
- Ability to adjust difficulty settings in singleplayer


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Once Human free?

Once Human is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is ARK free?

ARK is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Once Human or ARK?

Once Human is rated higher. Once Human averages 4.6 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while ARK averages 4.4 from 14K ratings.

### Do Once Human or ARK have ads?

ARK shows ads; Once Human does not.

### Which is updated more often, Once Human or ARK?

Once Human ships an update monthly, and ARK monthly. Most recently, Once Human was updated on October 31, 2026 and ARK on October 31, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Once Human or ARK?

Once Human currently peaks at #73 in the App Store charts, and ARK at #99. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*