# Stranded Island vs Digging Master

The clearest difference is rating: Digging Master at 4.8 against Stranded Island's 4.4. Digging Master also leads on review sentiment (58% vs 45%) and ratings volume (8.5K vs 1.9K). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Stranded Island sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Digging Master sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Digging Master holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.9K and 8.5K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 45% of Stranded Island's written reviews are positive against 58% of Digging Master's.

Stranded Island ships an update weekly, Digging Master every 10 days. Both last shipped on November 12, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Stranded Island | Digging Master |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (1.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stranded-island-castaway-life/id1658533769/reviews) | **[4.8 (8.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digging-master-dinosaur-game/id1665007724/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1.9K | **8.5K** |
| Positive reviews | 44.6% of reviews | **58.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 10 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 341 MB | 360 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.5** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [HOMA GAMES](https://appshunter.io/developer/1508492426) | [Hung Dang](https://appshunter.io/developer/1477964687) |

## What reviewers say

### Stranded Island

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stranded-island-castaway-life/id1658533769)

Embark on a survival adventure as a castaway on a deserted archipelago. Explore lush islands, gather resources, craft tools, and rescue fellow survivors. Rebuild a vibrant community and uncover the island's mysteries.

**Highlights:** Island exploration, Resource management, Crafting tools and shelters, Survivor rescue missions, Village rebuilding, Archipelago exploration

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tiny Gem Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Welcome Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Small Gem Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Laboratory Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Explorer Pack | $6.99 | one-time |
| Ad free adventure | $7.99 | one-time |
| Ad Free Adventure | $7.99 | one-time |
| Medium Gem Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Lumberjack Pack | $14.99 | one-time |
| Large Gem Pack | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Highly addictive
- 👍 Relaxing gameplay
- 🚀 Great visuals
- 👍 Enjoyable experience
- 👍 Good progression

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔍 Lack of support/communication
- 🕰️ Slow progression
- 💰 Aggressive monetization

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to download new content
- Game freezes when entering caves
- Disappearing buildings on home island
- Sound issues and crashes after ads
- Inability to progress past certain points

**Requested features**

- Ability to reset progress
- More variety in clothing/items
- Faster building/crafting times
- Better tutorial/help system
- Ability to contact developers


### Digging Master

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digging-master-dinosaur-game/id1665007724)

Embark on an archaeological adventure to unearth ancient dinosaur fossils and artifacts. Dig through the earth, build and expand your own museum to display your discoveries, and earn money by attracting visitors. Become a tycoon by upgrading tools and hiring workers to enhance your excavation efforts.

**Highlights:** Uncover dinosaur fossils and ancient artifacts, Build and expand a personal museum, Assemble and showcase fossil collections, Earn money by selling tickets to museum guests, Upgrade excavation tools and hire workers, Experience a tycoon-style museum management simulation

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A Couple of Gems | $1.99 | one-time |
| Piggy Bank | $1.99 | one-time |
| Starter Ticket Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Starter Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| A Handful of Gems | $4.99 | one-time |
| Digging Pass | $4.99 | one-time |
| Classic Ticket Bundle | $9.99 | one-time |
| A Pile of Gems | $9.99 | one-time |
| No-Ads Offer | $9.99 | one-time |
| VIP Offer | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and fun gameplay
- 👍 Engaging digging mechanics
- 💡 Interesting dinosaur facts
- 👍 Simple and intuitive interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Progress reset issues
- 🔍 Lack of content/levels
- 💰 Excessive ads and in-app purchases
- 🐢 Slow progression/grinding

**Reported bugs**

- Progress deletion/reset
- Glitches with in-app purchases
- Compatibility issues on some devices

**Requested features**

- More museum/dinosaur content
- Improved save/progress system
- Reduced ads or ad-free option
- Faster progression and upgrades


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Stranded Island free?

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

### Is Digging Master free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Stranded Island or Digging Master?

Digging Master is rated higher. Stranded Island averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.9K ratings, while Digging Master averages 4.8 from 8.5K ratings.

### Do Stranded Island or Digging Master have ads?

Both Stranded Island and Digging Master show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Stranded Island or Digging Master?

Stranded Island ships an update weekly, and Digging Master every 10 days. Most recently, Stranded Island was updated on November 12, 2026 and Digging Master on November 12, 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.*