# Simbl vs CATOPTICA

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Simbl at none against CATOPTICA's 1. Simbl also leads on ads (none vs shown). CATOPTICA's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs fortnightly). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CATOPTICA sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $7.99 per year. Simbl asks for nothing beyond the download.

Simbl ships an update fortnightly, CATOPTICA every 6 days. Both last shipped on September 14, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simbl | CATOPTICA |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 56 MB | 141 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Simbl](https://appshunter.io/developer/1659751193) | [Catoptica Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1800596143) |

## What reviewers say

### Simbl

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simbl/id1659751191)

This app gamifies recycling by allowing users to scan products and QR codes to earn rewards. It offers challenges, avatar customization, and the ability to donate rewards to environmental causes. Make recycling fun and rewarding at home, school, or work.

**Highlights:** Scan products to identify recycling methods, Earn rewards points (SimBux) for recycling, Donate recycling rewards to environmental associations, Augmented Reality recycling at school, Challenge friends to recycling competitions, Customize and upgrade your avatar, Refer friends and track recycling history

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### CATOPTICA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/catoptica/id6742934576)

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ad-Free & Offline Access | $7.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Simbl free?

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

### Is CATOPTICA free?

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

### Do Simbl or CATOPTICA have ads?

CATOPTICA shows ads; Simbl does not.

### Which is updated more often, Simbl or CATOPTICA?

Simbl ships an update fortnightly, and CATOPTICA every 6 days. Most recently, Simbl was updated on September 14, 2026 and CATOPTICA on September 14, 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.*