Comparison

Golly vs IdleSphere

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Golly

Explore Conway's Game of Life and various cellular automata with this open-source application. It supports diverse universe types, multiple algorithms, and a wide array of cellular automata rules. Users can import patterns, download from online archives, and utilize unlimited undo/redo functionality.

Highlights
  • Supports bounded and unbounded universes
  • Multiple algorithms including hashlife
  • Variety of cellular automata types included
  • Reads multiple file formats (RLE, macrocell, etc.)
  • Extracts patterns and rules from zip files
  • Downloads patterns and rules from online archives
  • Unlimited undo/redo
Features
Read full description

Golly is an open source, cross-platform application for exploring Conway's Game of Life and many other types of cellular automata. Key features: Supports bounded and unbounded universes, with cells of up to 256 states. Supports multiple algorithms, including Bill Gosper's super fast hashlife algorithm. Many different types of CA are included: John von Neumann's 29-state CA, Wolfram's 1D rules, WireWorld, Generations, Langton's Loops, Larger than Life, etc. Reads RLE, macrocell, Life 1.05/1.06, dblife, and MCell files. Can extract patterns and rules from zip files. Can download patterns and rules from online archives. Includes a state-of-the-art pattern collection. Unlimited undo/redo. Extensive help, with an integrated Life Lexicon.

About

IdleSphere

Experience a visually stunning incremental game centered around spheres. Watch countless spheres come to life with synchronized graphics and in-game currency. Enjoy intuitive upgrades, a deep prestige system, and a wealth of content in this mesmerizing adventure.

Highlights
  • Visually stunning sphere graphics
  • Synchronized in-game currency and visuals
  • Intuitive upgrade system
  • Extensive prestige system
  • Zoom in and out functionality
  • Wealth of content
Features
Read full description

Introducing Idle Sphere, a stunningly beautiful incremental game that revolves around the captivating world of spheres. Prepare to be amazed as countless spheres come to life using cutting-edge technology. The game's graphics are seamlessly synchronized with the in-game currency, ensuring a mesmerizing visual experience. As you progress, you'll encounter increasingly complex, beautiful, and colossal spheres that will leave you in awe. Idle Sphere's gameplay is built on simple yet engaging upgrades, allowing you to enjoy the game intuitively. Immerse yourself in the satisfying experience of zooming in and out, admiring the exquisite beauty of the spheres. The game features an extensive prestige system that adds depth to your journey. Although some upgrades may reset when you prestige, fear not! You'll emerge stronger and quickly regain your former power, ready to take on new challenges. Despite its simplicity, Idle Sphere offers a wealth of content for you to explore and enjoy. Dive into this captivating world of spheres and embark on an unforgettable incremental gaming adventure!

Screenshots

IdleSphere4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Golly at 97% against IdleSphere's 47%. Golly also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.8) and in-app purchases (none vs 6). IdleSphere's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 32 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ratings volume and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. IdleSphere sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Golly asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Golly holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 47 and 32 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 97% of Golly's written reviews are positive against 47% of IdleSphere's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Golly ships an update every 32 months, IdleSphere every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Golly versus IdleSphere: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGollyIdleSphere
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (47 ratings) — better3.8 (32 ratings)
Positive reviews96.8% of reviews — better46.7% of reviews
Number of ratings47 — better32
Update frequencyEvery 32 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB224 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrew TrevorrowIdle System, Inc.

Customer experience

Golly

All ratings47 ratings
Positive93.6%
Neutral2.1%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews31 reviews
Positive96.8%
Neutral3.2%
Negative0.0%

IdleSphere

All ratings32 ratings
Positive65.6%
Neutral18.8%
Negative15.6%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive46.7%
Neutral26.7%
Negative26.7%

In-app purchases

None

Golly

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

IdleSphere

One-time6
  • Chaotics 200$1.99
  • Chaotics 1000$6.99
  • Orbit Pack$7.99
Show 3 more
  • Permanent Bonus$9.99
  • Digital Winter$19.99
  • Chaotics 5000$29.99

Questions

Is Golly free?
Golly is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is IdleSphere free?
IdleSphere is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Golly or IdleSphere?
Golly is rated higher. Golly averages 4.8 out of 5 from 47 ratings, while IdleSphere averages 3.8 from 32 ratings.
Do Golly or IdleSphere have ads?
IdleSphere shows ads; Golly does not.
Which is updated more often, Golly or IdleSphere?
Golly ships an update every 32 months, and IdleSphere every 8 days. Most recently, Golly was updated on October 16, 2026 and IdleSphere on October 11, 2026.

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