# Gold Runner vs Ultimate Level Maker / Builder

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Ultimate Level Maker / Builder at 85% against Gold Runner's 33%. Ultimate Level Maker / Builder also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). Gold Runner's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Gold Runner sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Ultimate Level Maker / Builder asks for nothing beyond the download.

Ultimate Level Maker / Builder holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ultimate Level Maker / Builder has 102 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Gold Runner's written reviews are positive against 85% of Ultimate Level Maker / Builder's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Gold Runner | Ultimate Level Maker / Builder |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gold-runner-retro-dig-and-climb/id373005957/reviews) | **[4.6 (102 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ultimate-level-maker-builder/id6605922528/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 15 | **102** |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **84.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 44 MB | 188 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Julien meyer](https://appshunter.io/developer/285361686) | [Joshua Bellmyer](https://appshunter.io/developer/1760982927) |

## What reviewers say

### Gold Runner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gold-runner-retro-dig-and-climb/id373005957)

Experience a fast-paced 2D platformer inspired by a classic. Collect gold, avoid enemies, and use bombs to dig traps. Features joystick controls, custom levels, and bonus fruit for endless fun.

**Highlights:** Joystick-like controls, Large landscape levels, Custom levels for endless play, Collect gold and bonus fruit, Dig holes and trap enemies, Touchscreen controls

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads forever | $1.99 | one-time |


### Ultimate Level Maker / Builder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ultimate-level-maker-builder/id6605922528)

Design and build your own 2D platforming levels with a wide variety of tools and assets. Create intricate obstacle courses, adventure maps, or anything you can imagine, then share your creations online and explore those made by others.

**Highlights:** Create 2D platforming levels, 13 level themes, Hundreds of blocks, enemies, and objects, Foreground and background block placement, World map creation, Online level sharing and downloading, Challenge mode with unlockable hats

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great game overall
- 💡 Excellent level maker
- 💰 No ads or purchases
- 🤩 Highly creative possibilities
- 🌟 Very fun and engaging

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitches and bugs present
- 🐌 Slow updates
- 🕹️ Controls not always good
- 🔴 Too many ads
- ⚠️ Online safety concerns

**Reported bugs**

- Did not get hat after completing 5th year 2nd time
- Glitch with magnet on giant potion
- Lose a life when restarting a level
- Colors are too dark and don't match image
- Username glitch (SOMEBODYCOOL vs SOMEBODYCOOL XD)

**Requested features**

- Add multiplayer and friends list
- Add more bosses
- Add more cosmetics and pets
- Add chat for multiplayer
- Allow replaying levels


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Gold Runner free?

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

### Is Ultimate Level Maker / Builder free?

Ultimate Level Maker / Builder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Gold Runner or Ultimate Level Maker / Builder?

Ultimate Level Maker / Builder is rated higher. Gold Runner averages 4.3 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Ultimate Level Maker / Builder averages 4.6 from 102 ratings.

### Do Gold Runner or Ultimate Level Maker / Builder have ads?

Ultimate Level Maker / Builder shows ads; Gold Runner does not.

### Which is updated more often, Gold Runner or Ultimate Level Maker / Builder?

Gold Runner ships an update every 3 weeks, and Ultimate Level Maker / Builder every 3 weeks. Most recently, Gold Runner was updated on November 6, 2026 and Ultimate Level Maker / Builder on November 5, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*