# Architecture vs Discover Japan

The clearest difference is update cadence: Discover Japan at every 44 months against Architecture's every 187 months. Discover Japan also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Architecture sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Discover Japan sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $88.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Architecture ships an update every 187 months, Discover Japan every 44 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Architecture | Discover Japan |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.6 (998 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/architecture/id310574925/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **998** | — |
| Positive reviews | 40.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 187 months | **Every 44 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 176 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **8.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Makayama.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/283812573) | [DENTSU INC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/326362308) |

## What reviewers say

### Architecture

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/architecture/id310574925)

Discover the world's finest architectural masterpieces with this offline guide. It provides GPS-enabled directions, historical context, and images for significant 20th and 21st-century buildings globally. Explore iconic structures and hidden gems, even without a data connection.

**Highlights:** GPS-enabled architectural guide, Offline access to information and photos, Building stories and architect details, Walking and driving directions, Manual browsing by city and building, 20th and 21st-century architectural selection

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| unlimited, full version | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Useful architectural information
- 💡 Potential for great app with updates

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent bugs and glitches
- 🗺️ Missing prominent architectural icons
- 💰 Expensive for limited content

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrect location detection
- Crashes and freezes on launch
- Incomplete or inaccurate information
- Compatibility issues with newer devices

**Requested features**

- Add more architects and buildings worldwide
- Improve search and filtering capabilities
- Provide more detailed information and photos
- Offer a more affordable pricing model


### Discover Japan

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/discover-japan/id972428725)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Discover Japan | $88.99 | per year |
| Discover Japan 2015年10月号 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Discover Japan 2015年11月号 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Discover Japan 2016年3月号 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Discover Japan 2016年5月号 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Discover Japan 2016年7月号 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Discover Japan 2016年10月号 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Discover Japan 2016年11月号 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Discover Japan 2017年5月号 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Discover Japan 2018年5月号 | $5.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Architecture free?

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

### Is Discover Japan free?

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

### Do Architecture or Discover Japan have ads?

Neither Architecture nor Discover Japan shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Architecture or Discover Japan?

Architecture ships an update every 187 months, and Discover Japan every 44 months. Most recently, Architecture was updated on November 6, 2026 and Discover Japan on November 6, 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.*