# XScreenSaver vs Path Tracer

The clearest difference is rating: XScreenSaver at 4.8 against Path Tracer's 4.5. XScreenSaver also leads on review sentiment (93% vs 79%) and update cadence (every 6 months vs every 13 months). Path Tracer's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

XScreenSaver holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 108 and 31 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 93% of XScreenSaver's written reviews are positive against 79% of Path Tracer's.

XScreenSaver ships an update every 6 months, Path Tracer every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | XScreenSaver | Path Tracer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (108 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xscreensaver/id539014593/reviews)** | [4.5 (31 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/path-tracer/id1090761030/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **108** | 31 |
| Positive reviews | **92.9% of reviews** | 78.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 months** | Every 13 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 37 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jamie Zawinski](https://appshunter.io/developer/368900426) | [People Tech](https://appshunter.io/developer/566977973) |

## What reviewers say

### XScreenSaver

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xscreensaver/id539014593)

Explore a vast collection of historic and educational graphics demos originally designed for Linux and Unix systems. This application allows you to interact with hundreds of these visual demonstrations, ported from the classic screen saver collection.

**Highlights:** Historic graphics demos, Educational visual content, Interactive demo playback, Large collection of visuals, Cross-platform heritage

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ No ads or data collection
- 🎨 Extensive variety of screensavers
- 📱 Works seamlessly across multiple platforms (iOS, Mac, iPad)
- 🆓 Completely free application
- 🕰️ Nostalgic and retro aesthetic appeal

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes with certain screensavers
- 🎯 Difficult to tap small exit button on larger devices
- 🔋 High battery consumption on some devices
- ⚠️ Photo library screensaver crashes on iOS 13
- 🎪 Limited practical use on iOS devices

**Reported bugs**

- Photo library screensaver crashes on iOS 13
- GLText reveals password when system info is selected
- Framebuffer loading failures requiring app restart
- Crashes on certain devices or configurations
- Difficult UI for exiting screensavers on larger phones

**Requested features**

- Favorites or bookmarking system to save preferred screensavers
- Hide or exclude unwanted screensavers from rotation
- Ability to select specific channels in XAnalogTV screensaver
- Widget support for iOS standby mode
- Prevent auto-lock feature to keep screen on


### Path Tracer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/path-tracer/id1090761030)

Experience real-time, photorealistic computer graphics on your iPhone. This application leverages Apple's Metal graphics platform to render complex lighting effects and scenes instantly, allowing you to create and manipulate stunning visuals directly on your device.

**Highlights:** Real-time path tracing, Realistic global illumination, 30 FPS rendering, Pre-built and custom scenes, Adjustable lighting and camera, Multiple surface texture types

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is XScreenSaver free?

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

### Is Path Tracer free?

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

### Which has better reviews, XScreenSaver or Path Tracer?

XScreenSaver is rated higher. XScreenSaver averages 4.8 out of 5 from 108 ratings, while Path Tracer averages 4.5 from 31 ratings.

### Do XScreenSaver or Path Tracer have ads?

Neither XScreenSaver nor Path Tracer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, XScreenSaver or Path Tracer?

XScreenSaver ships an update every 6 months, and Path Tracer every 13 months. Most recently, XScreenSaver was updated on October 21, 2026 and Path Tracer on October 22, 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.*