# GL Golf vs Retro Golf

The clearest difference is price: Retro Golf at Free against GL Golf's $4.99. Retro Golf also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 63%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months). GL Golf's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and chart position (#146 vs unranked). On in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Retro Golf is free to download; GL Golf costs $4.99 up front. GL Golf sells 11 one-off in-app purchases and Retro Golf sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Retro Golf holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GL Golf has 106 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of GL Golf's written reviews are positive against 100% of Retro Golf's.

GL Golf ships an update every 3 months, Retro Golf every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GL Golf | Retro Golf |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.0 (106 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gl-golf/id289559287/reviews) | **[4.2 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-golf/id6757093841/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **106** | 13 |
| Positive reviews | 62.6% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#146** | — |
| Size | 153 MB | 63 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nuclear Nova Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/289559290) | [Chris Larson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1864471334) |

## What reviewers say

### GL Golf

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gl-golf/id289559287)

**Currently charting:** #146 Top Paid · Sports (US App Store)

Experience realistic 3D golf with simple graphics and a physics system. Play solo or with up to four players across numerous holes, featuring various environmental challenges and game modes. Enjoy online tournaments, customizable golfers, and constant free updates.

**Highlights:** Realistic 3D golf simulation, Multiplayer support (up to 4 players), Realistic physics system, Numerous holes and courses, Online tournaments, Customizable golfers, Driving range and practice modes

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GL Golf Lob Wedge | $0.99 | one-time |
| GL Golf Mulligan Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| GL Golf Tour Clubs | $1.99 | one-time |
| GL Golf Square Grooves | $1.99 | one-time |
| GL Golf Driver 330 | $2.99 | one-time |
| GL Golf Course Pack 1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| GL Golf Course Pack 2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| GL Golf Course Pack 3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| GL Golf Course Pack 4 | $2.99 | one-time |
| GL Golf Course Pack 5 | $2.99 | one-time |
| GL Golf Course Pack 6 | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ⛳️ Enjoyable golf gameplay
- 🕰 Addictive time-killer
- 🎨 Charming low-def graphics
- 👍 Challenging but fun

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and bugs after updates
- 🌄 Limited course selection
- 🎨 Outdated graphics
- 🎮 Frustrating putting mechanics

**Reported bugs**

- Swing button not functioning
- Frequent crashes and freezes
- Courses not loading properly
- Incompatibility with newer devices

**Requested features**

- More course options
- Improved graphics and visuals
- Better putting system
- Online leaderboards and multiplayer


### Retro Golf

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-golf/id6757093841)

Experience classic 8-bit golf with intuitive controls and challenging courses. Master your swing with a two-tap system, navigate hazards, and aim for hole-in-ones. Unlock challenges and earn trophies in this nostalgic arcade-style game.

**Highlights:** 8-bit pixel art graphics, Intuitive two-tap swing control, Skill-based gameplay, Full 9-hole course, Challenge modes, Trophy achievements

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |
| English | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GL Golf free?

GL Golf costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Retro Golf free?

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

### Which has better reviews, GL Golf or Retro Golf?

Retro Golf is rated higher. GL Golf averages 4.0 out of 5 from 106 ratings, while Retro Golf averages 4.2 from 13 ratings.

### Do GL Golf or Retro Golf have ads?

Retro Golf shows ads; GL Golf does not.

### Which is updated more often, GL Golf or Retro Golf?

GL Golf ships an update every 3 months, and Retro Golf every 2 weeks. Most recently, GL Golf was updated on October 29, 2026 and Retro Golf on October 30, 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.*