# Osmos vs Magic Research 2

The clearest difference is update cadence: Magic Research 2 at every 3 days against Osmos's every 7 months. Osmos's advantage is ratings volume (892 vs 115) and review sentiment (92% vs 82%). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Osmos costs $3.99 and Magic Research 2 $4.69 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Osmos against 4.8 for Magic Research 2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Osmos has 892 ratings behind it against 115, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 92% of Osmos's written reviews are positive against 82% of Magic Research 2's.

Osmos ships an update every 7 months, Magic Research 2 every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Osmos | Magic Research 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$3.99** | $4.69 |
| Rating | [4.8 (892 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/osmos/id382991304/reviews) | [4.8 (115 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magic-research-2/id6478566840/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **892** | 115 |
| Positive reviews | **92.3% of reviews** | 82.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #43 | **#18** |
| Size | 48 MB | 36 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.4 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Hemisphere Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/379323385) | [Matias Ezequiel Colotto](https://appshunter.io/developer/1669682477) |

## What reviewers say

### Osmos

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/osmos/id382991304)

**Currently charting:** #43 Top Paid · Puzzle, #83 Top Paid · Simulation (US App Store)

Navigate a cosmic world as a galactic mote. Absorb smaller organisms to grow while avoiding larger predators. This physics-based survival game features stunning graphics and an ambient soundtrack.

**Highlights:** Physics-based gameplay, Absorb smaller organisms to grow, Avoid larger predators, Stellar graphics, Ambient soundtrack, 72 levels across 8 worlds, Multiplayer mode

**Features:** Game Controller support, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🌟 Mesmerizing visuals and aesthetics
- 🎶 Excellent soundtrack and audio design
- 🧠 Challenging and thought-provoking gameplay
- 🕰️ Ability to control time/speed
- 🕊️ Relaxing and meditative experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤯 Frustratingly difficult at times
- 🔋 Battery drain issues
- 🖥️ Not optimized for larger screens (iPad)
- 🔍 Lack of zoom/scale controls

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on certain devices/OS versions
- Compatibility issues with newer hardware

**Requested features**

- More levels and content updates
- Multiplayer mode improvements
- Customization options (e.g. music, visuals)
- Difficulty settings or accessibility options


### Magic Research 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magic-research-2/id6478566840)

**Currently charting:** #18 Top Paid · Role Playing, #55 Top Paid · Simulation, #166 Top Paid · Games (US App Store)

Embark on a magical quest as a rookie wizard to find or create the Philosopher's Stone. Utilize over 120 spells, transmute hundreds of items, and lead a team of wizards in a semi-automated combat system. Explore dozens of areas, uncover secrets, and experience over 60 hours of gameplay.

**Highlights:** Over 120 distinct spells, Transmute over 250 items, Control a team of wizards, Semi-automated combat system, Explore dozens of areas, Discover secrets and storylines, Retirement bonuses for faster progress

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fantastic sequel, better than the first
- 👍 Incredible sense of progression
- 💡 Fun build types, best in genre
- 👍 Incremental masterclass, gold standard
- 👍 True semi-idle masterpiece

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Extremely complicated, tedious timers
- 🐛 UI is absolutely atrocious
- 🐛 Time pieces cap out at 100k
- 🐛 UI issues, not easy to navigate
- 🐛 Sorting doesn't sort exactly as wanted

**Reported bugs**

- App instantly crashes on open
- Game crashes on startup
- App started rapidly pushing buttons on its own
- Overheating phone
- Lags and gets choppy in the late game

**Requested features**

- DLC or sequel news
- macOS version
- Better automation and convenience features
- Tweak familiar search time down
- Release the next one


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Osmos free?

Osmos costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Magic Research 2 free?

Magic Research 2 costs $4.69, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Osmos or Magic Research 2?

Osmos and Magic Research 2 are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 892 and 115 ratings respectively.

### Do Osmos or Magic Research 2 have ads?

Neither Osmos nor Magic Research 2 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Osmos or Magic Research 2?

Osmos ships an update every 7 months, and Magic Research 2 every 3 days. Most recently, Osmos was updated on October 2, 2026 and Magic Research 2 on October 3, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Osmos or Magic Research 2?

Osmos currently peaks at #43 in the App Store charts, and Magic Research 2 at #18. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*