# Virtual Pet Shelter Simulator vs PocketPets

The clearest difference is ads: PocketPets at none against Virtual Pet Shelter Simulator's shown. PocketPets also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 6 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.

Virtual Pet Shelter Simulator ships an update every 6 months, PocketPets every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Virtual Pet Shelter Simulator | PocketPets |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.3 (275 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-pet-shelter-simulator/id1618746640/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **275** | — |
| Positive reviews | 19.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 286 MB | 65 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Zohra Rubab](https://appshunter.io/developer/1617062902) | [OLIVER HARRY REDEYOFF](https://appshunter.io/developer/1864874846) |

## What reviewers say

### Virtual Pet Shelter Simulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-pet-shelter-simulator/id1618746640)

Manage an animal adoption center, rescuing and caring for abandoned cats and dogs. Feed, clean, and play with virtual pets to increase their adoption status and find them loving homes. Expand your shelter and advertise animals online to encourage adoption.

**Highlights:** Rescue cats and dogs, Care for virtual pets, Expand shelter facilities, Online pet advertising, Play with animals, Manage adoption process

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun game
- 🤩 Awesome game
- 😊 Pretty game

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitchy and laggy
- 🤬 Too many ads
- 👺 Terrible graphics
- 😡 Disappointing compared to expectations
- 😞 Short and boring

**Reported bugs**

- Cannot complete washing the pet
- Cannot drop or place pets in cages
- Pets have the same name
- Levels reset or do not progress properly

**Requested features**

- More levels and content
- Better graphics and animations
- Ability to have multiple pets
- Improved controls and instructions
- Update the game to match previews


### PocketPets

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocketpets-virtual-pets/id6796431455)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Virtual Pet Shelter Simulator free?

Virtual Pet Shelter Simulator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PocketPets free?

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

### Do Virtual Pet Shelter Simulator or PocketPets have ads?

Virtual Pet Shelter Simulator shows ads; PocketPets does not.

### Which is updated more often, Virtual Pet Shelter Simulator or PocketPets?

Virtual Pet Shelter Simulator ships an update every 6 months, and PocketPets every 10 days. Most recently, Virtual Pet Shelter Simulator was updated on November 7, 2026 and PocketPets on October 31, 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.*