# PewPew vs Phoenix 2

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PewPew at none against Phoenix 2's 11. PewPew also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (91% vs 73%). Phoenix 2's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (26K vs 67). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Phoenix 2 sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. PewPew asks for nothing beyond the download.

Phoenix 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Phoenix 2 has 26K ratings behind it against 67, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 91% of PewPew's written reviews are positive against 73% of Phoenix 2's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

PewPew ships an update every 5 months, Phoenix 2 every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PewPew | Phoenix 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (67 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pewpew/id314964252/reviews) | **[4.7 (26K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phoenix-2/id1134895689/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 67 | **26K** |
| Positive reviews | **91.3% of reviews** | 73.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 12 MB | 295 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jean-Francois Geyelin](https://appshunter.io/developer/314964255) | [Firi Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/361212278) |

## What reviewers say

### PewPew

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pewpew/id314964252)

Experience intense, retro-style multidirectional shooting with massive enemy counts and a high frame rate. Choose from five distinct game modes, including Pandemonium, Dodge This, Assault, Chromatic Conflict, and Asteroids. Compete on online leaderboards and unlock new ships.

**Highlights:** Multidirectional shooting, Retro graphics, High frame rate, Five game modes, Online leaderboards, Unlockable ships, Game controller support

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 👍 Challenging and addictive
- 🎮 Great retro-style controls
- 💯 Excellent value (free app)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or performance issues
- 🔊 Limited sound effects
- 📱 Screen size/orientation issues on some devices

**Reported bugs**

- High score data loss after updates
- Unresponsive controls on certain devices

**Requested features**

- More game modes and enemy types
- Multiplayer support
- Ability to disable background music
- Offline/campaign mode


### Phoenix 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phoenix-2/id1134895689)

Blast through waves of alien invaders in this classic arcade space shooter. Collect and upgrade over 100 unique ships, complete exciting missions, and compete on global leaderboards. Enjoy short game sessions or an action-packed campaign with stunning graphics.

**Highlights:** Over 100 unique ships, Ship collection and upgrades, Action-packed campaign, Special abilities, Daily missions, Global leaderboards, Cross-platform play

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 800 Credits | $0.99 | one-time |
| 5000 Credits | $4.99 | one-time |
| Special Offer | $4.99 | one-time |
| VIP | $4.99 | one-time |
| 12000 Credits | $9.99 | one-time |
| Special Offer | $9.99 | one-time |
| 25000 Credits | $19.99 | one-time |
| Special Offer | $19.99 | one-time |
| 65000 Credits | $49.99 | one-time |
| Special Offer | $49.99 | one-time |
| 140K Credits | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fantastic mobile game
- 🚀 Incredibly fun and addictive
- 🚀 Best bullet hell game on the phone
- 🚀 Easily the best bullet hell I've played
- 🚀 Amazing game for on the go fun

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Great Gameplay Ruined by Frustrating Ad Experience
- 💰 Supers aren't well implemented
- 💰 Micro-transactions too much
- 💰 Progression limited, hard to earn credits
- 🐛 Terrible, uninspiring compared to original Phoenix HD

**Reported bugs**

- Warp gate charge time bug
- Occasional crashes
- Incompatible with older devices

**Requested features**

- Add haptic feedback
- Implement an endless mode
- Allow players to customize ships
- Add a level creator
- Provide an offline mode


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PewPew free?

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

### Is Phoenix 2 free?

Phoenix 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, PewPew or Phoenix 2?

Phoenix 2 is rated higher. PewPew averages 4.5 out of 5 from 67 ratings, while Phoenix 2 averages 4.7 from 26K ratings.

### Do PewPew or Phoenix 2 have ads?

Phoenix 2 shows ads; PewPew does not.

### Which is updated more often, PewPew or Phoenix 2?

PewPew ships an update every 5 months, and Phoenix 2 every 3 weeks. Most recently, PewPew was updated on September 16, 2026 and Phoenix 2 on September 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.*