Comparison

Deck Squares vs Embers

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Deck Squares

Create and save starship deck plans for sci-fi RPGs with a classic monochrome grid style. Design each square with various components, labels, and shared edges for seamless multi-deck layouts. Export high-resolution images for printing or tabletop use.

Highlights
  • Monochrome grid-style deck plans
  • Component-based square design
  • Shared edges for adjacent squares
  • Multi-deck ship layouts
  • High-resolution image export
  • Versatile for floor plans and puzzles
Read full description

Deck Squares lets you generate and store a collection of starship deck plans for any science fiction role-playing game. Deck plans have the Old School grid-based monochrome look and feel popular in the early years of SF RPGs, rather than a photo-realistic color-coded depiction that can limit usability. Plans are created one deck square at a time using a large collection of components for left and top edges and central features. Each square may have a grid boundary around the edges and a small text label as well. Large labels cover any central feature and may extend into adjacent squares. Since edges are shared between squares, adjacent squares are used to define right and bottom edges. Ship tonnage may be specified to determine an approximate total number of squares allowed. Multiple decks may be defined for a ship and the cursor location is useful for aligning hatches between decks. Decks may be exported as high-resolution images suitable for printing and for use with miniatures on the table top. Although intended for starship deck plans, the app can be used for building floor plans, puzzle designs, and other purposes.

About

Embers

This app offers a comprehensive toolkit for tabletop RPG players and game masters. It includes character creation, a virtual tabletop for live sessions, and world-building tools. Content syncs across devices, with a free tier for core features and an optional upgrade for unlimited content.

Highlights
  • Character creation and management
  • Integrated virtual tabletop
  • World-building tools
  • Cross-device content syncing
  • Support for multiple RPG systems
Features
Read full description

Embers is the all-in-one toolkit for tabletop RPG (TTRPG) players and game masters. Three powerful tools in one app, plus an integrated virtual tabletop with no extra subscription. Free forever for your main characters, campaign, and world. No ads, ever. VAULT: Create and manage characters with full digital sheets that support combat, ability scores, inventory, and spells. PLAY: Run live sessions with a built-in virtual tabletop. Initiative tracking, battle maps, tokens, and session notes in one place. IMAGINE: Build and browse your worlds. Pages, timelines, people, and places on iPhone and iPad. Your content syncs across iPhone, iPad, and the web. Upgrade for unlimited characters, campaigns, and worlds. Compatible with D&D 5e and 5.5e, Pathfinder, Pathfinder 2e, and Savage Worlds Deluxe. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Embers4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Embers at 5.0 against Deck Squares's 2.0. Embers also leads on device support. Deck Squares's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.0). On price and ratings volume 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Embers sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Deck Squares asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Embers holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Deck Squares versus Embers: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDeck SquaresEmbers
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings11
Update frequency—Every 3 months
Ads—No
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
Devices—iPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperArt GorskiEmbers Design Studios, LLC

Customer experience

Deck Squares

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Embers

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Deck Squares

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Embers

Subscriptions2
  • Vaultkeeper$4.991 Month
  • Storyweaver$9.991 Month

Questions

Is Deck Squares free?
Deck Squares is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Embers free?
Embers is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Deck Squares or Embers?
Embers is rated higher. Deck Squares averages 2.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Embers averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

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