# Provenance App vs SameBoy

The clearest difference is rating: SameBoy at 4.5 against Provenance App's 3.3. SameBoy also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 46%) and device support (4 vs 2). Provenance App's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (663 vs 105). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Provenance App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and SameBoy sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

SameBoy holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Provenance App has 663 ratings behind it against 105, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of Provenance App's written reviews are positive against 84% of SameBoy's.

Provenance App ships an update every 3 weeks, SameBoy every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Provenance App | SameBoy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (663 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/provenance-app/id1596862805/reviews) | **[4.5 (105 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sameboy/id6496971295/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **663** | 105 |
| Positive reviews | 46.4% of reviews | **83.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 2.4 GB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Joseph Mattiello](https://appshunter.io/developer/1581086197) | [Lior Halphon](https://appshunter.io/developer/1741211844) |

## What reviewers say

### Provenance App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/provenance-app/id1596862805)

This application allows users to play classic games from a wide variety of vintage arcade and console systems. It supports numerous platforms, offering a comprehensive retro gaming experience.

**Highlights:** Multi-console emulation, Supports Atari systems, Supports Nintendo systems, Supports Sega systems, Supports Sony PlayStation, Supports arcade and console games

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Game Controller support, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Provenance Plus | $3.99 | per month |
| Provenance Plus | $39.99 | per year |
| Provenance Plus | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth emulation
- 🎮 Supports many systems
- 👍 Great app overall
- 🎉 Finally on the App Store

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🤯 Confusing UI/layout
- 🔌 Performance issues
- 🤖 Compatibility problems

**Reported bugs**

- 3DS games crashing
- Dreamcast/PS2 ROMs not working
- Screen shrinking when switching orientation
- Inability to load local game files

**Requested features**

- Controller support
- Gyroscope/motion controls
- Improved 3DS emulation
- GameCube/Wii emulation


### SameBoy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sameboy/id6496971295)

Experience classic handheld gaming with a highly accurate emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy. Enjoy advanced features like save states, rumble support, and controller compatibility. Play on your Apple Watch and customize your experience with various filters and themes.

**Highlights:** Accurate Game Boy emulation, Save states with gesture support, Rumble support, Apple Watch playability, Scaling filters, Game Boy Camera emulation, Controller support

**Features:** Game Controller support, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Supporter | $0.99 | per month |
| Supporter Plus | $2.99 | per month |
| Supporter Premium | $7.99 | per month |
| Lifetime Theme Access | $4.99 | one-time |
| SameBoy for Apple Watch | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 No ads or intrusive monetization
- 🎮 Highly accurate Game Boy/GBC emulation
- 💡 Innovative gesture controls (swipe to save/load/fast-forward)
- 🎨 Beautiful, authentic design with multiple themes
- ⚙️ Extensive customization and emulation options

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Apple Watch support requires paid subscription
- 🐛 iPad portrait mode menu bug
- ❌ No Game Boy Advance emulation despite claims
- 🎮 Small button sizes for large hands
- ⚠️ Cheats feature limited or non-functional

**Reported bugs**

- iPad portrait mode triggers menu on A button/Up arrow press
- Game Boy Camera crashes on iPhone 17 Pro Max when switching cameras
- Rewind function causes game data loss in some titles
- 200% and 400% speed boost settings don't work
- Cheats don't function properly for certain games

**Requested features**

- Game Boy Advance emulation support
- Cheat code functionality
- Multiplayer/wireless linking for Pokémon games
- Online multiplayer support
- Adjustable screen and button sizes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Provenance App free?

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

### Is SameBoy free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Provenance App or SameBoy?

SameBoy is rated higher. Provenance App averages 3.3 out of 5 from 663 ratings, while SameBoy averages 4.5 from 105 ratings.

### Do Provenance App or SameBoy have ads?

Neither Provenance App nor SameBoy shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Provenance App or SameBoy?

Provenance App ships an update every 3 weeks, and SameBoy every 4 months. Most recently, Provenance App was updated on September 23, 2026 and SameBoy on September 18, 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.*