# Arcade1Up vs Barcade

The clearest difference is ads: Barcade at none against Arcade1Up's shown. Barcade also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Arcade1Up's advantage is ratings volume (4.5K vs 2) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 7 months). On price, rating, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Barcade holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Arcade1Up has 4.5K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Arcade1Up ships an update every 3 months, Barcade every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Arcade1Up | Barcade |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (4.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arcade1up/id1633227704/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcade/id6739539146/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **4.5K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 12 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [The Wish Factory LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1633227856) | [Barcade Holdings, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1783155692) |

## What reviewers say

### Arcade1Up

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arcade1up/id1633227704)

Enhance your retro arcade experience with this companion app. Track leaderboards, connect with other fans, register for warranties, and get exclusive news and game strategies.

**Highlights:** Track online leaderboards, Register for extended warranty, Connect with friends and community, Discover game secrets and strategies, Get latest news and offers, Add arcades to collection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Nostalgic arcade experience
- 👍 Great for home entertainment
- 👍 Excellent game selection
- 👍 Seamless online connectivity
- 👍 Helpful community features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Prone to crashing
- 🐛 Login issues
- 🐛 Incomplete cabinet database
- 🔧 Requires maintenance and repairs

**Reported bugs**

- Logging in issues
- Crashing and freezing
- Inconsistent QR code recognition

**Requested features**

- Add support for Partycades and Countercades
- Ability to add custom cabinets to the app
- Improved app stability and reliability
- Expand game selection and content updates


### Barcade

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcade/id6739539146)

Discover the original arcade bar experience. Find locations offering a wide selection of classic video games and pinball machines, paired with American craft beers and a full bar. Enjoy creative pub food in a unique entertainment setting.

**Highlights:** Find arcade bar locations, View game and pinball machine selection, Explore craft beer and cocktail menus, Discover food offerings, Locate bars with classic arcade games

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Arcade1Up free?

Arcade1Up is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Barcade free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Arcade1Up or Barcade?

Barcade is rated higher. Arcade1Up averages 4.8 out of 5 from 4.5K ratings, while Barcade averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Arcade1Up or Barcade have ads?

Arcade1Up shows ads; Barcade does not.

### Which is updated more often, Arcade1Up or Barcade?

Arcade1Up ships an update every 3 months, and Barcade every 7 months. Most recently, Arcade1Up was updated on October 30, 2026 and Barcade on October 24, 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.*