Deck Squares vs Embers
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
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.
- Character creation and management
- Integrated virtual tabletop
- World-building tools
- Cross-device content syncing
- Support for multiple RPG systems
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
| Parameter | Deck Squares | Embers |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Update frequency | — | Every 3 months |
| Ads | — | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | — | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 33 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Art Gorski | Embers Design Studios, LLC |
Customer experience
Deck Squares
Embers
In-app purchases
Deck Squares
No in-app purchases
Embers
- Vaultkeeper$4.991 Month
- Storyweaver$9.991 Month
Questions
Is Deck Squares free?
Is Embers free?
Which has better reviews, Deck Squares or Embers?
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