# Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game vs Pixel Pets

The clearest difference is update cadence: Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game at every 2 days against Pixel Pets's every 3 weeks. Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game also leads on chart position (#95 vs unranked) and ratings volume (37K vs 5.1K). Pixel Pets's advantage is review sentiment (57% vs 47%) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.3). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.59 per month and Pixel Pets sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game against 4.7 for Pixel Pets. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game has 37K ratings behind it against 5.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 47% of Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game's written reviews are positive against 57% of Pixel Pets's.

Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game ships an update every 2 days, Pixel Pets every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game | Pixel Pets |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (37K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixel-pals-widget-pet-game/id6443919232/reviews) | **[4.7 (5.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixel-pets-cute-widget-app/id6444085825/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **37K** | 5.1K |
| Positive reviews | 47.3% of reviews | **56.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#95** | — |
| Size | 29 MB | 150 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.3 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Christian Selig](https://appshunter.io/developer/687795558) | [Twinstar Creatives](https://appshunter.io/developer/1378171714) |

## What reviewers say

### Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixel-pals-widget-pet-game/id6443919232)

**Currently charting:** #95 Top Free · Graphics & Design, #180 Top Grossing · Graphics & Design (US App Store)

Bring adorable pixel art pets to your Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Live Activities. Customize your chosen companions and enjoy their presence as you navigate your device, adding a touch of joy to every interaction. A variety of animals are available to personalize and name.

**Highlights:** Customizable pixel art pets, Home Screen widgets, Lock Screen customization, Live Activities integration, Variety of animal companions, Name customization

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pixel Pals Premium Monthly BF | $1.59 | per month |
| Pixel Pals Premium (Monthly) | $1.99 | per month |
| Pixel Pals Premium Yearly BF | $11.99 | per year |
| Pixel Pals Premium (Yearly) | $14.99 | per year |
| Food Pack Small | $0.99 | one-time |
| Food Pack Large | $4.99 | one-time |
| Premium Lifetime Black Friday | $48.49 | one-time |
| Pixel Pals Premium (Lifetime) | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Cute and fun
- 👍 Great use of Dynamic Island
- 👍 Customizable pets
- 👍 Smooth integration with Apollo

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable
- 🔒 Limited free features
- 📵 Doesn't work well outside of app

**Reported bugs**

- Resets progress and pets when phone restarts
- Transparent background not working
- Subscription issues and locked features
- Pets disappearing from Dynamic Island

**Requested features**

- More free pet options
- Ability to interact with pets outside of app
- Syncing between Apollo and Pixel Pals
- Customizable pet animations and behaviors


### Pixel Pets

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixel-pets-cute-widget-app/id6444085825)

Adopt and care for adorable pixelated pets that live on your phone's screen, including your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island. Feed, play, and interact with your virtual companions to keep them happy and see their emotions change throughout the day.

**Highlights:** Adopt and care for virtual pixel pets, Pets displayed on Lock Screen, Dynamic Island, and Live Notifications, Interactive feeding and exercise mechanics, Pets change emotions and expressions, Transparent home screen widgets, Unlockable exclusive pets and features

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

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pixel Pets+ (Discount Monthly) | $5.99 | per month |
| Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Pixel Pets+ (Discount Monthly) | $29.99 | per 6 months |
| Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| 150 Coins | $0.99 | one-time |
| 300 Coins | $3.99 | one-time |
| 450 Coins | $5.99 | one-time |
| 650 Coins | $7.99 | one-time |
| Premium | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🐱 Cute pixel pets
- 🎨 Aesthetic widget designs
- 🔓 Some free content
- 🕰️ Useful dynamic island integration

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Many features locked behind paywall
- 📚 Unwanted religious content
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔒 Limited free options

**Reported bugs**

- Widgets not working as expected
- Pets not showing up on dynamic island
- Purchases not registering properly
- Frequent crashes and app instability

**Requested features**

- More free pet and background options
- Ability to customize or remove daily quotes
- Improved widget functionality and customization
- Tamagotchi-style mini-games and interactions


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game free?

Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Pixel Pets free?

Pixel Pets is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game or Pixel Pets?

Pixel Pets is rated higher. Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game averages 4.6 out of 5 from 37K ratings, while Pixel Pets averages 4.7 from 5.1K ratings.

### Do Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game or Pixel Pets have ads?

Neither Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game nor Pixel Pets shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game or Pixel Pets?

Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game ships an update every 2 days, and Pixel Pets every 3 weeks. Most recently, Pixel Pals Widget Pet Game was updated on October 30, 2026 and Pixel Pets on October 30, 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.*