# Hobby Lobby vs PetSmart

The clearest difference is rating: PetSmart at 4.0 against Hobby Lobby's 2.9. PetSmart also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (31K vs 2K). Hobby Lobby's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and chart position there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

PetSmart holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PetSmart has 31K ratings behind it against 2K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 11% of Hobby Lobby's written reviews are positive against 10% of PetSmart's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Hobby Lobby ships an update every 6 months, PetSmart every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hobby Lobby | PetSmart |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.9 (2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hobby-lobby/id535562583/reviews) | **[4.0 (31K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/petsmart/id1175467091/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2K | **31K** |
| Positive reviews | **10.6% of reviews** | 9.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #93 | **#44** |
| Size | 47 MB | 138 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/534544354) | [PetSmart LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/383283401) |

## What reviewers say

### Hobby Lobby

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hobby-lobby/id535562583)

**Currently charting:** #93 Top Free · Shopping (US App Store)

Discover a vast selection of over 75,000 products for crafts, home decor, and hobbies. Browse weekly ads for savings and easily locate nearby stores for an enriched shopping experience.

**Highlights:** Browse weekly ad, Locate nearby stores, Vast product selection, Craft supplies, Home accents, Custom framing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🤗 Helpful customer service
- 💕 Great selection of products
- 🌟 Enjoyable in-store experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitchy and unstable app
- 🔍 Poor search functionality
- 🔒 Frustrating login issues
- 🤯 Confusing navigation and user experience
- ⏱️ Slow and unresponsive app

**Reported bugs**

- Constant app crashes and freezes
- Items disappearing from cart
- Inability to complete purchases

**Requested features**

- Ability to check in-store inventory
- Option to order online for in-store pickup
- Improved search with filters and sorting
- Seamless login and account management


### PetSmart

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/petsmart/id1175467091)

**Currently charting:** #44 Top Free · Shopping (US App Store)

Shop for pet supplies, book grooming appointments, and manage your pet's care all in one place. Access helpful articles, earn rewards, and find store locations easily. Get everything you need for your furry, feathered, or scaled family members.

**Highlights:** In-app shopping for pet essentials, Buy online, pick up in store (1-hour option), Treats Rewards loyalty program management, In-app salon booking and appointment management, Doggie Day Camp availability check, PetsHotel reservations, Personalized offers and content

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📅 Easy to book appointments
- 🛒 Convenient online shopping
- 💰 Rewards program with coupons

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and bugs
- 🇨🇦 Doesn't work for Canadian customers
- 🤔 Confusing and unintuitive UI
- ⏱️ Slow loading times
- 🔒 Login and account issues

**Reported bugs**

- Payment processing errors
- Disappearing cart items
- Incorrect store location and inventory
- Inability to complete online orders

**Requested features**

- Add barcode scanner for price checks
- Improve search and filtering functionality
- Allow adding favorite items and past orders
- Integrate pet profiles and medical records
- Provide delivery options beyond in-store pickup


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hobby Lobby free?

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

### Is PetSmart free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Hobby Lobby or PetSmart?

PetSmart is rated higher. Hobby Lobby averages 2.9 out of 5 from 2K ratings, while PetSmart averages 4.0 from 31K ratings.

### Do Hobby Lobby or PetSmart have ads?

PetSmart shows ads; Hobby Lobby does not.

### Which is updated more often, Hobby Lobby or PetSmart?

Hobby Lobby ships an update every 6 months, and PetSmart every 10 days. Most recently, Hobby Lobby was updated on October 24, 2026 and PetSmart on October 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Hobby Lobby or PetSmart?

Hobby Lobby currently peaks at #93 in the App Store charts, and PetSmart at #44. 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.*