# GlobeTips vs ExploreIRL

The clearest difference is ads: ExploreIRL at none against GlobeTips's shown. ExploreIRL also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 4 months) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). GlobeTips's advantage is ratings volume (664 vs 2) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.4). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. GlobeTips sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and ExploreIRL sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ExploreIRL holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GlobeTips has 664 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of GlobeTips's written reviews are positive against 100% of ExploreIRL's.

GlobeTips ships an update every 4 months, ExploreIRL every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GlobeTips | ExploreIRL |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (664 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/globetips-travel-tips/id462719356/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exploreirl/id6804748727/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **664** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 76.3% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 26 MB | 1.0 GB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Ievgenii Lebid](https://appshunter.io/developer/850306142) | [David Wieland](https://appshunter.io/developer/6804748729) |

## What reviewers say

### GlobeTips

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/globetips-travel-tips/id462719356)

This app provides tipping advice for over 200 countries, offering precise guidance for various situations. Features include bill scanning for automatic calculation, check splitting, and tax exclusion, making it easy to tip appropriately worldwide.

**Highlights:** Tipping guide for 240+ countries, Bill scanning for automatic calculation, Check splitting, Tax exclusion, Automatic country detection, Service-based tipping

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock Tips Content | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
- 🌍 Auto-detects country location
- 💡 Provides tipping guidance for multiple countries
- 🎯 Helpful for international travelers
- 📊 Shows tipping ranges with slider approach

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❌ Outdated tipping information (US 15% for great service)
- ❌ Inaccurate international tipping guidance (Italy/Spain tour guides)
- 💰 Expensive pricing for country unlocks
- 💰 Price doubled for full version
- 🔒 Paywall restricts access to basic features

**Reported bugs**

- Video ad trial unlock not functioning
- Full version purchase not unlocking content
- Missing hotel staff tipping information across countries
- Inconsistent data availability for some countries

**Requested features**

- Update US tipping recommendations to reflect current standards (18-20%)
- Allow flexible tipping percentages (16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 21%, etc.)
- Subtract state tax from bill before calculating tip
- Add rounding feature for tip and total amounts
- Include hotel staff tipping recommendations


### ExploreIRL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exploreirl/id6804748727)

Turn your city into a deck of adventure cards with real-world challenges. Complete tasks, earn miles, and collect moments with photos. Play solo or with friends, with no account required.

**Highlights:** Real-world challenge cards, Trivia and multi-step adventures, Collect completed cards and photos, Earn miles and level up, Play solo or with a crew, No account required for basic play

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BOSTON | $4.99 | one-time |
| DALLAS | $4.99 | one-time |
| ROME | $4.99 | one-time |
| SEATTLE | $4.99 | one-time |
| PHILADELPHIA | $4.99 | one-time |
| ATHENS | $4.99 | one-time |
| PRAGUE | $4.99 | one-time |
| ATLANTA | $4.99 | one-time |
| CAIRO | $4.99 | one-time |
| ExploreIRL All Access | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GlobeTips free?

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

### Is ExploreIRL free?

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

### Which has better reviews, GlobeTips or ExploreIRL?

ExploreIRL is rated higher. GlobeTips averages 4.7 out of 5 from 664 ratings, while ExploreIRL averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do GlobeTips or ExploreIRL have ads?

GlobeTips shows ads; ExploreIRL does not.

### Which is updated more often, GlobeTips or ExploreIRL?

GlobeTips ships an update every 4 months, and ExploreIRL every 2 days. Most recently, GlobeTips was updated on November 11, 2026 and ExploreIRL on November 6, 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.*