Essential Sci vs Retro
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Essential Sci
Stream a vast library of science fiction movies and TV shows for free. Subscribe monthly to enjoy an ad-free viewing experience and access premium content.
- Hundreds of hours of sci-fi content
- Free streaming
- Monthly ad-free subscription
- Watch on Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, iPod
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The Essential Sci-Fi Channel contains hundreds of hours of your favorite science fiction movies and television shows available to watch for free. Sign up for a monthly subscription to watch without ads! Terms of Use: http://macmillanweb.com/html/terms.asp
Retro
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Retro Arcade brings together simple, addictive arcade games in one clean neon experience. Play instantly. Improve your skills. Beat your high score. Included Games: • Snake-style survival • Block drop puzzle • Maze chase challenge • Space formation shooter • 2048-style merge game • Endless flyer • Paddle brick breaker Each game is easy to learn and hard to master, with smooth controls and fast gameplay. Weekly Leaderboards Compete globally and climb the ranks. Every week is a fresh start. Daily Challenges & Missions Complete daily challenges, earn rewards, and unlock cosmetic upgrades. Customize Your Experience Unlock neon themes, skins, avatars, and sound packs. Personalize your arcade without pay-to-win mechanics. Level Up Earn XP, increase your level, and track your progress across all games. Play Offline Enjoy your favorite games anytime, even without internet. Optional Ads Upgrade to remove ads with a one-time purchase. Rewarded ads are always optional. Retro Arcade is built for players who love classic gameplay with a modern, minimalist design. Download now and start climbing the leaderboard.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Retro at weekly against Essential Sci's every 6 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Essential Sci sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Retro sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Essential Sci ships an update every 6 weeks, Retro weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Essential Sci | Retro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (33 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 33 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | MacMillan Interactive Communications, LLC | GIUSEPPE MATTEO FALCETTA |
In-app purchases
Essential Sci
- Essential Sci-Fi Subscription$5.991 Month
- Essential Sci-Fi Yearly Sub$69.991 Year
Retro
- Coins Small$0.99
- Coins Medium$2.99
- No Ads$3.99
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- Coins Large$4.99
Questions
Is Essential Sci free?
Is Retro free?
Do Essential Sci or Retro have ads?
Which is updated more often, Essential Sci or Retro?
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