# Nova Golf vs Golf Orbit

The clearest difference is price: Golf Orbit at Free against Nova Golf's $1.99. Golf Orbit also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.5) and ratings volume (59K vs 26). Nova Golf's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (46% vs 25%). On update cadence, in-app purchases, monetization model and chart position there is nothing between them.

Golf Orbit is free to download; Nova Golf costs $1.99 up front. Nova Golf sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Golf Orbit sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Golf Orbit holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Golf Orbit has 59K ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 46% of Nova Golf's written reviews are positive against 25% of Golf Orbit'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 Orbit every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Nova Golf | Golf Orbit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.5 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-golf/id503868206/reviews) | **[4.7 (59K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/golf-orbit-perfect-swing/id1380291518/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 26 | **59K** |
| Positive reviews | **45.7% of reviews** | 25.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #196 | **#166** |
| Size | 287 MB | 272 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) | [TapNation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1483575279) |

## What reviewers say

### Nova Golf

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

**Currently charting:** #196 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 Orbit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/golf-orbit-perfect-swing/id1380291518)

**Currently charting:** #166 Top Grossing · Sports, #187 Top Free · Sports (US App Store)

Master your golf swing in this engaging offline game. Aim for distance and accuracy by tapping at the perfect moment to launch the ball. Enjoy realistic graphics and challenging gameplay that tests your timing and skill on the virtual green.

**Highlights:** Perfect tee shot simulation, Intuitive tap-based controls, Angle and strength adjustment, Stunning graphics, Offline gameplay

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium Subscription | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium Subscription | $99.99 | per year |
| Handful of Gems | $1.99 | one-time |
| Pile of Gems | $4.99 | one-time |
| Chest of Gems | $9.99 | one-time |
| Bathtub of Gems | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Fun and beautiful game
- 👍 Enjoyable gameplay
- 🚀 Great time killer

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Excessive ads
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🐛 Inconsistent physics and bugs
- 🔁 Progress reset issues

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes and resets progress
- Ball physics issues (bouncing backwards, getting stuck)
- Jackpot spin not working as intended

**Requested features**

- More diverse environments and challenges
- Reduced ad frequency
- Reasonable one-time purchase option to remove ads


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Nova Golf free?

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

### Is Golf Orbit free?

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

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

Golf Orbit is rated higher. Nova Golf averages 3.5 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while Golf Orbit averages 4.7 from 59K ratings.

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

Golf Orbit shows ads; Nova Golf does not.

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

Nova Golf ships an update every 3 months, and Golf Orbit every 2 months. Most recently, Nova Golf was updated on November 1, 2026 and Golf Orbit on November 3, 2026.

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

Nova Golf currently peaks at #196 in the App Store charts, and Golf Orbit at #166. 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.*