# Candlehead vs DREDGE

The clearest difference is ads: DREDGE at none against Candlehead's shown. DREDGE also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months) and ratings volume (1.1K vs 111). Candlehead's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.3) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Candlehead sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and DREDGE sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Candlehead holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DREDGE has 1.1K ratings behind it against 111, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Candlehead's written reviews are positive against 60% of DREDGE's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Candlehead ships an update every 7 months, DREDGE every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Candlehead | DREDGE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (111 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/candlehead/id1592832792/reviews)** | [4.3 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dredge/id6526463862/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 111 | **1.1K** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **59.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1.1 GB | 785 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Ammonite Design Studios Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/460176444) | [Black Salt Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/1756207154) |

## What reviewers say

### Candlehead

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/candlehead/id1592832792)

Explore a surreal, candle-lit horror world in this first-person game. Investigate a deserted village, solve environmental puzzles, and evade a mysterious pursuer to find your way home.

**Highlights:** First-person gameplay, Non-linear open world, Stealth and survival, Item-based puzzles, Environmental storytelling

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No Ads | $2.99 | one-time |


### DREDGE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dredge/id6526463862)

Explore remote islands and their depths as a fishing trawler captain. Sell your catch, complete quests to uncover local secrets, and upgrade your boat. Beware of the dangers lurking in the dark.

**Highlights:** Explore remote islands and depths, Catch and sell diverse sea life, Complete quests to uncover secrets, Upgrade fishing boat and equipment, Survive nighttime dangers, Unravel a dark mystery

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Blackstone Key | $0.99 | one-time |
| The Pale Reach | $5.99 | one-time |
| The Iron Rig | $11.99 | one-time |
| Base Game Unlock | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great game
- 🚀 Excellent port to mobile
- 🎮 Supports controllers
- 🎨 Stunning graphics
- 🕹️ Intuitive controls

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive for a mobile game
- 🔍 Misleading 'free' description
- 📱 Text/UI too small on phones
- 🐛 Crashes and performance issues
- 🎮 Controller support needs improvement

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on startup
- Controller issues
- Inventory/menu navigation problems

**Requested features**

- Larger text and UI options
- Cross-save between devices
- More content and DLC
- Minimap or navigation aids
- Ability to walk around boat/town


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Candlehead free?

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

### Is DREDGE free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Candlehead or DREDGE?

Candlehead is rated higher. Candlehead averages 4.5 out of 5 from 111 ratings, while DREDGE averages 4.3 from 1.1K ratings.

### Do Candlehead or DREDGE have ads?

Candlehead shows ads; DREDGE does not.

### Which is updated more often, Candlehead or DREDGE?

Candlehead ships an update every 7 months, and DREDGE every 3 weeks. Most recently, Candlehead was updated on October 4, 2026 and DREDGE on October 19, 2026.

---

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