# The Optimal Lab vs NEON STUDIOS

The clearest difference is ads: The Optimal Lab at none against NEON STUDIOS's shown. NEON STUDIOS's advantage is update cadence (every 12 months vs every 25 months). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

The Optimal Lab ships an update every 25 months, NEON STUDIOS every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Optimal Lab | NEON STUDIOS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 25 months | **Every 12 months** |
| Size | 31 MB | 127 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [THE OPTIMAL LAB (ST LEONARDS) PTY LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1557251933) | [NEON STUDIOS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1802935927) |

## What reviewers say

### The Optimal Lab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-optimal-lab/id1593381703)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### NEON STUDIOS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/neon-studios/id6743448660)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Optimal Lab free?

The Optimal Lab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is NEON STUDIOS free?

NEON STUDIOS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do The Optimal Lab or NEON STUDIOS have ads?

NEON STUDIOS shows ads; The Optimal Lab does not.

### Which is updated more often, The Optimal Lab or NEON STUDIOS?

The Optimal Lab ships an update every 25 months, and NEON STUDIOS every 12 months. Most recently, The Optimal Lab was updated on October 3, 2026 and NEON STUDIOS on October 16, 2026.

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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.*