# Pixel Pets vs Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game

The clearest difference is rating: Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game at 4.6 against Pixel Pets's 4.0. Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game also leads on ratings volume (37K vs 50) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 4 days). Pixel Pets's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and review sentiment (73% vs 47%). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.59 per month. Pixel Pets asks for nothing beyond the download.

Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game has 37K ratings behind it against 50, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of Pixel Pets's written reviews are positive against 47% of Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Pixel Pets ships an update every 4 days, Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pixel Pets | Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (50 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixel-pets-dynamic-and-widgets/id1661627600/reviews) | **[4.6 (37K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixel-pals-widget-pet-game/id6443919232/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 50 | **37K** |
| Positive reviews | **72.7% of reviews** | 47.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | — | **#169** |
| Size | 301 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 18.3 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mobile Smart Growth](https://appshunter.io/developer/1646587126) | [Christian Selig](https://appshunter.io/developer/687795558) |

## What reviewers say

### Pixel Pets

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixel-pets-dynamic-and-widgets/id1661627600)

Bring your phone to life with animated pixel pets that live on your Home Screen and Lock Screen. Interact with your digital companions by feeding them and watching them explore your device. Choose from a variety of adorable animals to be your new best friend.

**Highlights:** Animated pixel pets, Home Screen customization, Lock Screen customization, Interactive pet care, Dynamic Island integration, Live Notifications display

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixel-pals-widget-pet-game/id6443919232)

**Currently charting:** #169 Top Grossing · Graphics & Design, #172 Top Free · Graphics & Design (US App Store)

Bring adorable pixel art pets to your Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Live Activities. Customize your chosen companions and enjoy their presence as you navigate your device, adding a touch of joy to every interaction. A variety of animals are available to personalize and name.

**Highlights:** Customizable pixel art pets, Home Screen widgets, Lock Screen customization, Live Activities integration, Variety of animal companions, Name customization

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pixel Pals Premium Monthly BF | $1.59 | per month |
| Pixel Pals Premium (Monthly) | $1.99 | per month |
| Pixel Pals Premium Yearly BF | $11.99 | per year |
| Pixel Pals Premium (Yearly) | $14.99 | per year |
| Food Pack Small | $0.99 | one-time |
| Food Pack Large | $4.99 | one-time |
| Premium Lifetime Black Friday | $48.49 | one-time |
| Pixel Pals Premium (Lifetime) | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Cute and fun
- 👍 Great use of Dynamic Island
- 👍 Customizable pets
- 👍 Smooth integration with Apollo

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable
- 🔒 Limited free features
- 📵 Doesn't work well outside of app

**Reported bugs**

- Resets progress and pets when phone restarts
- Transparent background not working
- Subscription issues and locked features
- Pets disappearing from Dynamic Island

**Requested features**

- More free pet options
- Ability to interact with pets outside of app
- Syncing between Apollo and Pixel Pals
- Customizable pet animations and behaviors


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pixel Pets free?

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

### Is Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game free?

Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Pixel Pets or Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game?

Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game is rated higher. Pixel Pets averages 4.0 out of 5 from 50 ratings, while Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game averages 4.6 from 37K ratings.

### Do Pixel Pets or Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game have ads?

Neither Pixel Pets nor Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Pixel Pets or Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game?

Pixel Pets ships an update every 4 days, and Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game every 2 days. Most recently, Pixel Pets was updated on October 22, 2026 and Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game 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.*