# PLAY Games vs XBOX

The clearest difference is review sentiment: XBOX at 52% against PLAY Games's 0%. XBOX also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.8) and in-app purchases (none vs 13). PLAY Games's advantage is iOS requirement (12.1 vs 15.1). On price, ads, chart position and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PLAY Games sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month. XBOX asks for nothing beyond the download.

XBOX holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: XBOX has 1.8M ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of PLAY Games's written reviews are positive against 52% of XBOX's.

PLAY Games ships an update every 6 months, XBOX fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | PLAY Games | XBOX |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-games/id483342122/reviews) | **[4.7 (1.8M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xbox/id736179781/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 18 | **1.8M** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **51.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | #69 | **#66** |
| Size | 13 MB | 93 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.1** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Editora Europa](https://appshunter.io/developer/409711566) | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) |

## What reviewers say

### PLAY Games

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-games/id483342122)

**Currently charting:** #69 Top Free · Magazines & Newspapers (US App Store)

This monthly publication offers the latest news, releases, reviews, tips, and curiosities in the gaming segment. It specializes in detailed walkthroughs and complete guides for popular PlayStation generation games. Download for free and purchase individual issues or subscribe directly.

**Highlights:** Latest gaming news and releases, In-depth game reviews, Tips and curiosities, PlayStation game walkthroughs, Digital magazine subscription, Access to past issues

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PlayStation - Revista Oficial Brasil | $2.49 | per month |
| PlayStation - Revista Oficial Brasil | $11.99 | per 6 months |
| PlayStation - Revista Oficial Brasil | $21.99 | per year |
| Revista PlayStation - 311 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Outubro 2013 of PlayStation - Revista Oficial Brasil | $2.99 | one-time |
| Agosto 2013 of PlayStation - Revista Oficial Brasil | $2.99 | one-time |
| Junho 2013 B of PlayStation - Revista Oficial Brasil | $2.99 | one-time |
| Junho 2013 of PlayStation - Revista Oficial Brasil | $2.99 | one-time |
| Dezembro 2013 of PlayStation - Revista Oficial Brasil | $2.99 | one-time |
| Fevereiro 2014 of PlayStation - Revista Oficial Brasil | $2.99 | one-time |
| Janeiro 2014 of PlayStation - Revista Oficial Brasil | $2.99 | one-time |
| Revista PlayStation - 301 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Revista PlayStation - 307 | $2.99 | one-time |


### XBOX

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xbox/id736179781)

**Currently charting:** #66 Top Free · Entertainment (US App Store)

Stay connected with your gaming community through voice and text chat, notifications, and messages. Discover and purchase games, explore Game Pass content, and share your best gaming moments. This app keeps you in the game, no matter where you play.

**Highlights:** Voice and text chat with friends, Game notifications and achievements, In-app game and add-on purchases, Explore Game Pass catalog and Perks, Share game clips and screenshots, Gaming Copilot for assistance

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Seamless integration with Xbox
- 👍 Convenient remote control features
- 📤 Easy sharing of captures and clips
- 💬 Useful for in-game communication

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
- 🔒 Issues with account login and verification
- 🔇 Unreliable party chat and voice communication
- 🖼️ Inability to customize profile picture

**Reported bugs**

- Captures not uploading or viewable in the app
- Remote control input lag and inconsistent functionality
- Messaging conversations disappearing or not loading
- Repeated sign-in prompts and account access issues

**Requested features**

- Add ability to browse and purchase games directly in the app
- Improve notification system and message delivery
- Restore achievement tracking and game stats viewing
- Optimize app performance and stability


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PLAY Games free?

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

### Is XBOX free?

XBOX is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, PLAY Games or XBOX?

XBOX is rated higher. PLAY Games averages 2.8 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while XBOX averages 4.7 from 1.8M ratings.

### Do PLAY Games or XBOX have ads?

Neither PLAY Games nor XBOX shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PLAY Games or XBOX?

PLAY Games ships an update every 6 months, and XBOX fortnightly. Most recently, PLAY Games was updated on October 30, 2026 and XBOX on October 30, 2026.

### Which is more popular, PLAY Games or XBOX?

PLAY Games currently peaks at #69 in the App Store charts, and XBOX at #66. 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.*