# Realistic Chinese Checkers vs The Public Variable

The clearest difference is price: The Public Variable at Free against Realistic Chinese Checkers's $6.00. The Public Variable also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.9) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). Realistic Chinese Checkers's advantage is ratings volume (28 vs 2). On device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

The Public Variable is free to download; Realistic Chinese Checkers costs $6.00 up front. Realistic Chinese Checkers sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. The Public Variable asks for nothing beyond the download.

The Public Variable holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Realistic Chinese Checkers has 28 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Realistic Chinese Checkers ships an update every 10 months, The Public Variable every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Realistic Chinese Checkers | The Public Variable |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $6.00 | **Free** |
| Rating | [2.9 (28 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/realistic-chinese-checkers/id458239036/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-public-variable/id6741500963/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **28** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 22.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 27 MB | 1.4 GB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Oscar Tsang](https://appshunter.io/developer/416987065) | [John Sullivan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1630479388) |

## What reviewers say

### Realistic Chinese Checkers

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/realistic-chinese-checkers/id458239036)

Experience a classic board game with realistic crystal ball pieces. Choose between two engaging modes: Capture, featuring a strong AI for solo play or up to six players, or Free mode for a more casual, rule-free experience.

**Highlights:** Realistic crystal ball pieces, Capture mode with AI, Up to 6 player multiplayer, Free mode for casual play, Symmetric hexagonal board

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove advertisement | $1.99 | one-time |


### The Public Variable

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-public-variable/id6741500963)

Experience a unique augmented reality theatre piece exploring perspective and communication. This evolving digital space will eventually host the full production, offering an immersive artistic experience accessible from anywhere.

**Highlights:** Augmented reality theatre, Perspective exploration, Immersive digital space, Evolving content, Accessible anywhere

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Realistic Chinese Checkers free?

Realistic Chinese Checkers costs $6.00, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is The Public Variable free?

The Public Variable is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Realistic Chinese Checkers or The Public Variable?

The Public Variable is rated higher. Realistic Chinese Checkers averages 2.9 out of 5 from 28 ratings, while The Public Variable averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Realistic Chinese Checkers or The Public Variable have ads?

Realistic Chinese Checkers shows ads; The Public Variable does not.

### Which is updated more often, Realistic Chinese Checkers or The Public Variable?

Realistic Chinese Checkers ships an update every 10 months, and The Public Variable every 2 weeks. Most recently, Realistic Chinese Checkers was updated on November 8, 2026 and The Public Variable on November 4, 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.*