# Nova Golf vs Golf Rival

The clearest difference is price: Golf Rival at Free against Nova Golf's $1.99. Golf Rival also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.6) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 months). Nova Golf's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On review sentiment, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Golf Rival is free to download; Nova Golf costs $1.99 up front. Nova Golf sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Golf Rival sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Golf Rival holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Golf Rival has 155K ratings behind it against 31, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 46% of Nova Golf's written reviews are positive against 38% of Golf Rival's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Nova Golf ships an update every 3 months, Golf Rival every 9 days. Both last shipped on September 26, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Nova Golf | Golf Rival |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.6 (31 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-golf/id503868206/reviews) | **[4.5 (155K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/golf-rival-multiplayer-game/id1354796403/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 31 | **155K** |
| Positive reviews | **45.7% of reviews** | 37.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #178 | **#9** |
| Size | 287 MB | 363 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nuclear Nova Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/289559290) | [Zynga Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/295913422) |

## What reviewers say

### Nova Golf

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-golf/id503868206)

**Currently charting:** #178 Top Paid · Sports (US App Store)

Experience a realistic and immersive golf simulation with stunning 3D graphics and diverse courses. Customize your character, compete in career modes, and challenge friends in multiplayer. Earn virtual currency or use in-app purchases for custom clubs and balls.

**Highlights:** Realistic ball physics, Stunning 3D graphics, Unique global courses, Customizable characters, Career mode, Multiplayer challenges, In-app purchases for clubs/balls

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Extra Mulligans | $0.99 | one-time |
| Dozen of all Balls | $1.99 | one-time |
| 1,000 Experience | $1.99 | one-time |
| Course Pack 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Driver | $1.99 | one-time |
| Course Pack 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Level Overdrive | $1.99 | one-time |
| Character Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Course Pack 3 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Course Pack 4 | $1.99 | one-time |


### Golf Rival

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/golf-rival-multiplayer-game/id1354796403)

**Currently charting:** #9 Top Grossing · Sports, #23 Top Grossing · Simulation, #48 Top Free · Sports, #162 Top Free · Simulation, #188 Top Grossing · Games (US App Store)

Compete in real-time multiplayer golf battles, showcasing your skills on over 300 courses. Collect powerful clubs and balls to outwit opponents and climb leaderboards. Enjoy various game modes, from 1v1 duels to tournaments, and improve your golf game with every match.

**Highlights:** Real-time multiplayer PvP golf, Over 300 courses and 20+ themes, Collect golf clubs and balls, Tournament mode, Play with friends, Unlock new challenges and rewards

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PIGGY_BANK | $2.99 | one-time |
| Save Streak | $2.99 | one-time |
| BIG PILE OF DIAMONDS | $4.99 | one-time |
| Arena Big Deal | $4.99 | one-time |
| CHALLENGE PASS | $4.99 | one-time |
| FULL BAG OF DIAMONDS | $9.99 | one-time |
| Arena Super Deal | $9.99 | one-time |
| CLUB OFFER 1 | $9.99 | one-time |
| FULL CHEST OF DIAMONDS | $19.99 | one-time |
| Arena Amazing Deal | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun and addictive game
- 👍 No ads
- 💡 Variety of game modes
- 👍 Progression without paying

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Unfair matchmaking against higher-level players
- 💰 Pay-to-win mechanics
- 🐛 Inconsistent wind and ball physics
- 🔒 Difficulty upgrading preferred clubs
- 🔒 Putting is too easy

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent disconnections and sync issues
- Glitches with shot trajectories
- Disappearing in-app purchases

**Requested features**

- More diverse course selection
- Fairer matchmaking system
- Ability to replay unlocked levels
- Improved club upgrade system
- More challenging putting


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Nova Golf free?

Nova Golf costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Golf Rival free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Nova Golf or Golf Rival?

Golf Rival is rated higher. Nova Golf averages 3.6 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while Golf Rival averages 4.5 from 155K ratings.

### Do Nova Golf or Golf Rival have ads?

Golf Rival shows ads; Nova Golf does not.

### Which is updated more often, Nova Golf or Golf Rival?

Nova Golf ships an update every 3 months, and Golf Rival every 9 days. Most recently, Nova Golf was updated on September 26, 2026 and Golf Rival on September 26, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Nova Golf or Golf Rival?

Nova Golf currently peaks at #178 in the App Store charts, and Golf Rival at #9. 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.*