# Cube Runner vs Lantern

The clearest difference is rating: Lantern at 5.0 against Cube Runner's 4.0. Lantern also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 5 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 80%). Cube Runner's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Lantern sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Cube Runner asks for nothing beyond the download.

Lantern holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cube Runner has 504 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Cube Runner's written reviews are positive against 100% of Lantern's.

Cube Runner ships an update every 5 months, Lantern every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cube Runner | Lantern |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (504 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cube-runner/id284596345/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lantern-deep-sea-survival/id6808262289/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **504** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 80.3% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 36 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.2** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Andy Qua](https://appshunter.io/developer/284092693) | [Stepx LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/6783528263) |

## What reviewers say

### Cube Runner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cube-runner/id284596345)

Navigate a dynamic landscape, skillfully dodging an array of hazardous cubes. Experience exhilarating flight through tight gaps and canyons with highly responsive, intuitive controls. Enjoy multiple gameplay modes and customizable visual themes.

**Highlights:** Intuitive controls, Obstacle avoidance, Multiple difficulty levels, First and third-person views, Zen mode for endless play, Customizable themes, Original soundtrack

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Game Controller support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth controls and gameplay
- 🎶 Blessed audio experience
- 👍 Simple yet fun design
- 🕹️ Nostalgic and addictive
- 🏆 Great high score challenges

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🎮 Sensitive steering controls
- 🎨 Distracting new visuals
- 🔇 Lack of original music option
- 🔄 Speed resets on pause
- 🔀 Removed first-person view

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when downloading level packs
- Incompatible with older iOS versions
- Calibration issues on newer devices

**Requested features**

- Customizable control sensitivity
- Retro visual mode
- Option to toggle original soundtrack
- Vertical gameplay mode
- Level editor and sharing


### Lantern

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lantern-deep-sea-survival/id6808262289)

Control a deep-sea vessel with one finger, drawing loops to defeat enemies and survive increasingly challenging depths. Upgrade your fleet, weapons, and ship to conquer the ocean's creatures and compete on a global leaderboard.

**Highlights:** Loop enemies to crush them, Upgrade fleet and weapons, Explore 20 challenging depths, Collect 21 unique sea creatures, Compete on a world leaderboard, Play offline

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 10 Shards | $4.99 | one-time |
| 340 Tokens | $4.99 | one-time |
| 24 Shards | $9.99 | one-time |
| 820 Tokens | $9.99 | one-time |
| 60 Shards | $19.99 | one-time |
| 2,050 Tokens | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cube Runner free?

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

### Is Lantern free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Cube Runner or Lantern?

Lantern is rated higher. Cube Runner averages 4.0 out of 5 from 504 ratings, while Lantern averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Cube Runner or Lantern have ads?

Lantern shows ads; Cube Runner does not.

### Which is updated more often, Cube Runner or Lantern?

Cube Runner ships an update every 5 months, and Lantern every 3 days. Most recently, Cube Runner was updated on October 22, 2026 and Lantern on October 13, 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.*