# XKCD Browser vs TVTropes

The clearest difference is review sentiment: XKCD Browser at 89% against TVTropes's 46%. XKCD Browser also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). TVTropes's advantage is ratings volume (371 vs 8). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. TVTropes sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. XKCD Browser asks for nothing beyond the download.

XKCD Browser holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TVTropes has 371 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of XKCD Browser's written reviews are positive against 46% of TVTropes's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | XKCD Browser | TVTropes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xkcd-browser/id1618306887/reviews)** | [4.7 (371 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tvtropes/id6738365737/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **371** |
| Positive reviews | **88.9% of reviews** | 45.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1 MB | 47 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.2** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Kevin Cao](https://appshunter.io/developer/1618306889) | [TVTropes.org, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1773140920) |

## What reviewers say

### XKCD Browser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xkcd-browser/id1618306887)

Easily browse, search, and save your favorite webcomics. View alt text, share with friends, and enjoy offline access to a vast archive. Features include dark mode and pinch-to-zoom.

**Highlights:** Offline browsing, Favorite comics, View alt text, Save and share comics, In-depth comic search, Dark mode, Random comic display

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### TVTropes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tvtropes/id6738365737)

Explore a vast wiki dedicated to tropes found in TV, anime, film, literature, and more. Discover how media breaks down into common patterns and gain new insights. Features include a game, video examples, and a story generator.

**Highlights:** Explore media tropes, Name That Trope game, Video examples of tropes, Story Generator, Editing and reviews, Customizable tabs

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Ad-Free Subscription | $5.99 | per month |
| Yearly Ad-Free Subscription | $29.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Smooth UI
- 🚀 Mostly functional app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Dark mode not working
- 🤖 Unnecessary AI features
- 🤬 Rude responses from mods
- 💰 Excessive ads

**Reported bugs**

- Account creation issues with VPN
- Video examples missing from app

**Requested features**

- Fix dark mode
- Remove AI story generator
- Improve video playback controls


## Frequently asked questions

### Is XKCD Browser free?

XKCD Browser is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is TVTropes free?

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

### Which has better reviews, XKCD Browser or TVTropes?

XKCD Browser is rated higher. XKCD Browser averages 5.0 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while TVTropes averages 4.7 from 371 ratings.

### Do XKCD Browser or TVTropes have ads?

Neither XKCD Browser nor TVTropes shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, XKCD Browser or TVTropes?

XKCD Browser ships an update every 2 weeks, and TVTropes every 2 weeks. Most recently, XKCD Browser was updated on October 19, 2026 and TVTropes on October 20, 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.*