# Game Dev Story vs Game Dev Tycoon

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Game Dev Tycoon at 24K against Game Dev Story's 2.9K. Game Dev Story's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Game Dev Story costs $4.99 and Game Dev Tycoon $4.99 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 — 4.9 for Game Dev Story against 4.9 for Game Dev Tycoon. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Game Dev Tycoon has 24K ratings behind it against 2.9K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 96% of Game Dev Story's written reviews are positive against 91% of Game Dev Tycoon's.

Game Dev Story ships an update every 4 months, Game Dev Tycoon every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Game Dev Story | Game Dev Tycoon |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | $4.99 |
| Rating | [4.9 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/game-dev-story/id396085661/reviews) | [4.9 (24K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/game-dev-tycoon/id1162580001/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2.9K | **24K** |
| Positive reviews | **95.7% of reviews** | 91.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #93 | **#54** |
| Size | 74 MB | 204 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kairosoft Co.,Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/381477233) | [Greenheart Games Pty. Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/877999140) |

## What reviewers say

### Game Dev Story

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/game-dev-story/id396085661)

**Currently charting:** #93 Top Paid · Strategy, #103 Top Paid · Simulation (US App Store)

Build your own game development studio from the ground up. Hire and train staff, research new genres, and develop hit games to conquer the industry. Create your own consoles and aim for a million-selling title.

**Highlights:** Manage game company, Develop own game console, Train staff members, Unlock new genres, Discover popular combinations, Develop for latest platforms

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun game
- 👍 Simple, creative, and fun
- 👍 Nostalgic and fun
- 👍 Relaxing and enjoyable
- 👍 Great time-killer

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and crashes on newer devices
- 🐛 Lack of explanation for some mechanics
- 🐛 Difficulty in obtaining certain resources (e.g. hardware engineer)

**Reported bugs**

- Blackouts causing loss of progress
- Compatibility issues with newer devices
- Difficulty in obtaining certain resources

**Requested features**

- More consoles and game genres
- Ability to customize console designs
- Expanded content and longer playtime
- More staff and office options
- Improved late-game progression and challenges


### Game Dev Tycoon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/game-dev-tycoon/id1162580001)

**Currently charting:** #54 Top Paid · Simulation, #58 Top Paid · Strategy, #153 Top Paid · Games (US App Store)

Build your own game development company from the 1980s to the present. Design and create your own games, research new technologies, and manage a team to become a market leader. Enjoy a full simulation experience without ads or in-app purchases.

**Highlights:** Start a game development company, Design and create your own games, Research new technologies, Hire and manage a development team, Replay gaming history, Built-in screen recording and streaming

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Cheap price
- 👍 No in-app purchases or ads
- 👍 Addictive and fun gameplay
- 👍 Realistic game development simulation
- 👍 Detailed and complex mechanics

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Game crashes on launch for some users
- 🐛 Orientation issues on iPhone X
- 🐛 Difficulty remembering research and specialist information
- 🔋 Game can be very time-consuming
- 🤔 Lack of difficulty options or sandbox mode

**Reported bugs**

- Loan payback amount inconsistency
- Game reports not carrying over knowledge

**Requested features**

- Add more console and game genre options
- Implement employee personalities and interactions
- Provide more detailed game performance history
- Allow simultaneous game development
- Add difficulty settings and sandbox mode


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Game Dev Story free?

Game Dev Story costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Game Dev Tycoon free?

Game Dev Tycoon costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Game Dev Story or Game Dev Tycoon?

Game Dev Story and Game Dev Tycoon are both rated 4.9 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2.9K and 24K ratings respectively.

### Do Game Dev Story or Game Dev Tycoon have ads?

Neither Game Dev Story nor Game Dev Tycoon shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Game Dev Story or Game Dev Tycoon?

Game Dev Story ships an update every 4 months, and Game Dev Tycoon every 3 months. Most recently, Game Dev Story was updated on September 24, 2026 and Game Dev Tycoon on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Game Dev Story or Game Dev Tycoon?

Game Dev Story currently peaks at #93 in the App Store charts, and Game Dev Tycoon at #54. 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.*