# Nova Golf vs SMASH Badminton

The clearest difference is price: SMASH Badminton at Free against Nova Golf's $1.99. SMASH Badminton also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.5) and ratings volume (5.8K vs 26). Nova Golf's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (46% vs 30%). On in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

SMASH Badminton is free to download; Nova Golf costs $1.99 up front. Nova Golf sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and SMASH Badminton sells 29 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

SMASH Badminton holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SMASH Badminton has 5.8K 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 30% of SMASH Badminton'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, SMASH Badminton every 4 weeks. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Nova Golf | SMASH Badminton |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.5 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-golf/id503868206/reviews) | **[4.7 (5.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smash-badminton/id6503363375/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 26 | **5.8K** |
| Positive reviews | **45.7% of reviews** | 30.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#177** | — |
| Size | 287 MB | 343 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nuclear Nova Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/289559290) | [Smash Interactive](https://appshunter.io/developer/1807343382) |

## What reviewers say

### Nova Golf

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

**Currently charting:** #177 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 |


### SMASH Badminton

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smash-badminton/id6503363375)

Experience realistic badminton gameplay with 3D graphics and intuitive controls. Compete in global leagues, upgrade your character, and customize outfits. Play with friends locally or take on challenges for rewards.

**Highlights:** Awesome 3D gameplay, Global leagues and leaderboards, Character upgrade system, Outfit customization, Local multiplayer mode, Realistic physics, Missions and achievements

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

**In-app purchases (29)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Area Pack 1 | $0.89 | one-time |
| Offer 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| 80 diamonds | $0.99 | one-time |
| Daily offer: skill points | $0.99 | one-time |
| Diamond 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Sky Warden Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Demon Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Angel Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Skip'its | $2.79 | one-time |
| Offer 3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Area Pack 2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Area Pack 3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Area Pack 5 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Area Pack 4 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Area Pack 6 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Area Pack 7 | $2.99 | one-time |
| No Ads | $2.99 | one-time |
| Diamond 2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Starter Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Offer 4 | $3.99 | one-time |
| 500 Diamonds | $4.99 | one-time |
| Starter Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| No ads pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| No Ads Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| Diamond 3 | $5.99 | one-time |
| Skip'its 2 | $7.99 | one-time |
| Diamond 4 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Diamond 5 | $22.99 | one-time |
| Diamond 6 | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and fun gameplay
- 💡 Mimics real-life badminton experience
- 🚀 Addictive and entertaining
- 😊 Positive user experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent character movement and timing issues
- 🔥 Overpowered AI opponents at higher levels
- 💸 Excessive ads and in-app purchases
- 🤖 Concerns about playing against bots instead of real players

**Reported bugs**

- Service outs not registering correctly
- Inability to change username
- Trophies and rewards not working as expected

**Requested features**

- More locations and higher trophy brackets
- Tournaments and leagues
- Ability to play against friends
- Improved matchmaking and skill-based matchups


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Nova Golf free?

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

### Is SMASH Badminton free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Nova Golf or SMASH Badminton?

SMASH Badminton is rated higher. Nova Golf averages 3.5 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while SMASH Badminton averages 4.7 from 5.8K ratings.

### Do Nova Golf or SMASH Badminton have ads?

SMASH Badminton shows ads; Nova Golf does not.

### Which is updated more often, Nova Golf or SMASH Badminton?

Nova Golf ships an update every 3 months, and SMASH Badminton every 4 weeks. Most recently, Nova Golf was updated on November 1, 2026 and SMASH Badminton on November 1, 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.*