# Popsicle vs Threads

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Popsicle at none against Threads's 31. Popsicle also leads on ads (none vs shown) and device support (3 vs 1). Threads's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and chart position (#1 vs unranked). On price and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Threads sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Popsicle asks for nothing beyond the download.

Popsicle ships an update every 3 weeks, Threads weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Popsicle | Threads |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.6 (2.3M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/threads/id6446901002/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **2.3M** |
| Positive reviews | — | 51.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#1** |
| Size | 36 MB | 222 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.3 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 9+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Alexandre Laurin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1464453623) | [Instagram, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/389801255) |

## What reviewers say

### Popsicle

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/popsicle/id6446209878)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Threads

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/threads/id6446901002)

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Free · Social Networking, #9 Top Free (US App Store)

Connect and share your thoughts on a platform designed for conversation. Discover trending topics, join communities based on your interests, and engage in discussions through text, images, and polls. You can also control your experience with privacy settings and direct messaging.

**Highlights:** Start conversations with text, images, polls, and more, Join discussions through replies, Stay updated on trending topics, Control content visibility and replies, Discover communities and creators, Private 1:1 and group direct messaging

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No Ads Multi Tier | $0.99 | per month |
| No Ads Multi Tier | $1.99 | per month |
| No Ads Multi Tier | $2.99 | per month |
| No Ads Multi Tier | $3.99 | per month |
| No ads (1 account) | $7.99 | per month |
| No ads (2 accounts) | $12.99 | per month |
| No ads (3 accounts) | $17.99 | per month |
| No ads (4 accounts) | $21.99 | per month |
| No ads (4 accounts) | $22.99 | per month |
| No ads (5 accounts) | $26.99 | per month |
| No ads (7 accounts) | $37.99 | per month |
| No ads (8 accounts) | $42.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Clean and simple interface
- 🚀 Smooth performance
- 💡 Integrated with Instagram
- 🤝 Sense of community
- 😊 Positive and friendly environment

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🤖 Too many suggested/random posts
- 🔍 Lacking search and discovery features
- 🔀 Difficulty switching between accounts
- 📱 No iPad app

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to post or comment
- Disappearing posts and replies
- Inconsistent account linking with Instagram

**Requested features**

- Chronological feed option
- Hashtag and keyword search
- Trending topics section
- Bookmarking/saving posts
- Direct messaging functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Popsicle free?

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

### Is Threads free?

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

### Do Popsicle or Threads have ads?

Threads shows ads; Popsicle does not.

### Which is updated more often, Popsicle or Threads?

Popsicle ships an update every 3 weeks, and Threads weekly. Most recently, Popsicle was updated on September 21, 2026 and Threads on September 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.*