Comparison

Germaphobe vs Reach the Surface

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

Head to head
About

Germaphobe

Navigate a hero through an arcade-style world, dodging mutant germs and collecting coins. Capture and disinfect these germs in a laboratory to save infected cities worldwide. Unlock new challenges and compete on leaderboards.

Highlights
  • Arcade-style gameplay
  • Capture and disinfect germs
  • Collect coins and power-ups
  • Unlock new cities
  • Game Center leaderboards
  • iCloud syncing
Features
Read full description

Germaphobe is a fast paced, arcade style game where the hero, Hazmat Howard, must avoid the never ending attack by mutant germs. There are 200 cities that are infected with 200 unique germs. Do you and Hazmat Howard have what it takes to capture and disinfect all 200? Use the virtual joystick to maneuver Hazmat Howard to avoid mutant germs, collect coins, gain power-ups, and capture germs from cities throughout the world. Capturing germs is only half the battle. Captured germs must also be taken to the Laboratory to be disinfected and stored. Pay for time in the Laboratory with the coins Hazmat Howard collected while playing the game. Don't worry, it will be worth it. Cities have agreed to pay Hazmat Howard for every germ he disinfects. Complete levels to unlock new cities to disinfect. • Game Center support for Leaderboards and Achievements. • iCloud support for syncing your game to multiple devices. • Play for Free for as long as you like. • No Ads! We hope you enjoy playing Germaphobe and helping Hazmat Howard disinfect the world one city at a time. NOTE: You may disable in-app-purchases on your device using the Settings application.

About

Reach the Surface

Escape a contaminated underground lab filled with zombies by using an emergency elevator. Manage your ammo and firepower to rescue survivors and reach the surface in this arcade-style action game.

Highlights
  • Zombie combat
  • Survivor rescue missions
  • Emergency elevator escape
  • Ammo management
  • Arcade action gameplay
  • Strategy elements
Read full description

There is only one way out: To reach the surface! Secret experiments at the NZ Corporation underground research facility have taken a turn for the worst. With the entire lab contaminated and employees turned to zombies, it's your duty to rescue the remaining survivors and escape using the emergency elevator to reach the surface. It won't be easy, but you're packed with some serious fire power! Reach the Surface is pure arcade action and simple to play. Strategy will be key, as you'll need to manage your ammo so you don't run dry. Get ready for action, Sgt., the civilians are counting on you!!! Can you save everyone and Reach the Surface? Play now and find out!

Screenshots

Germaphobe4 screens
Reach the Surface4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Reach the Surface at none against Germaphobe's 5. Reach the Surface also leads on update cadence (every 5 months vs every 29 months). Germaphobe's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.3 vs 3.9). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and device support 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. Germaphobe sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Reach the Surface asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Germaphobe holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 12 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 79% of Germaphobe's written reviews are positive against 80% of Reach the Surface's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Germaphobe ships an update every 29 months, Reach the Surface every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on June 9, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Germaphobe versus Reach the Surface: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGermaphobeReach the Surface
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (7 ratings) — better3.9 (12 ratings)
Positive reviews78.8% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings712 — better
Update frequencyEvery 29 monthsEvery 5 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB109 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperDanny AijalaHenrique Silva

Customer experience

Germaphobe

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews33 reviews
Positive78.8%
Neutral6.1%
Negative15.2%

Reach the Surface

All ratings12 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Germaphobe

One-time5
  • 3 City Pack$0.99
  • Disinfect City$0.99
  • 100,000 coins$0.99
Show 2 more
  • 20 City Pack$4.99
  • 1,000,000 Coins$4.99
None

Reach the Surface

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Germaphobe free?
Germaphobe is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Reach the Surface free?
Reach the Surface is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Germaphobe or Reach the Surface?
Germaphobe is rated higher. Germaphobe averages 4.3 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Reach the Surface averages 3.9 from 12 ratings.
Do Germaphobe or Reach the Surface have ads?
Reach the Surface shows ads; Germaphobe does not.
Which is updated more often, Germaphobe or Reach the Surface?
Germaphobe ships an update every 29 months, and Reach the Surface every 5 months. Most recently, Germaphobe was updated on June 9, 2026 and Reach the Surface on September 15, 2026.

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