# Ark Nova vs Caverna

The clearest difference is rating: Ark Nova at 4.8 against Caverna's 4.1. Ark Nova also leads on ratings volume (1.2K vs 12) and chart position (#35 vs unranked). Caverna's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 weeks) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Ark Nova costs $10.99 and Caverna $11.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Ark Nova holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ark Nova has 1.2K ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Ark Nova's written reviews are positive against 61% of Caverna's.

Ark Nova ships an update every 2 weeks, Caverna every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ark Nova | Caverna |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$10.99** | $11.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ark-nova/id6449233549/reviews)** | [4.1 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caverna/id6480056103/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2K** | 12 |
| Positive reviews | **72.4% of reviews** | 61.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#35** | — |
| Size | 682 MB | 450 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Dire Wolf Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/815343758) | [DIGIDICED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1044671795) |

## What reviewers say

### Ark Nova

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ark-nova/id6449233549)

**Currently charting:** #35 Top Paid · Board, #129 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Design and manage a modern zoo to support global conservation efforts. Build enclosures, house animals, and utilize unique cards for special abilities. Compete to create the most successful zoological establishment.

**Highlights:** Plan and design a modern zoo, Build enclosures and accommodate animals, Support global conservation projects, Utilize 255 unique cards (animals, specialists, projects), Upgrade action cards for gameplay, Increase zoo appeal and scientific reputation

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great implementation overall
- 👍 Lots of fun
- 👍 Good animations
- 👍 Choice of modes
- 👍 Clean, modern and enjoyable design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Tile placement/rotation issues on iPad
- 🐛 Building placement UI issues
- 👎 Difficult to read board state on mobile
- 👎 Lack of simultaneous view for key game info
- 👎 Cumbersome to create games with friends

**Reported bugs**

- iPad Flash exit issue
- Rewards screen being blocked by other UI elements

**Requested features**

- Option to enable larger UI buttons for modal panels
- Full screen mode
- Option to reverse zoom direction
- Improved card readability/zoom


### Caverna

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caverna/id6480056103)

Lead a dwarf tribe to expand their cavern home and cultivate the surrounding forest. Dig deeper for resources, furnish rooms to grow your tribe, and forge weapons for adventures. Cultivate fields, breed animals, and increase your wealth to become the strongest tribe leader.

**Highlights:** Dwarf tribe management, Cavern expansion and furnishing, Resource cultivation and mining, Animal breeding and farming, Weapon forging and adventures, Worker action system

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ark Nova free?

Ark Nova costs $10.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Caverna free?

Caverna costs $11.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Ark Nova or Caverna?

Ark Nova is rated higher. Ark Nova averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Caverna averages 4.1 from 12 ratings.

### Do Ark Nova or Caverna have ads?

Neither Ark Nova nor Caverna shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Ark Nova or Caverna?

Ark Nova ships an update every 2 weeks, and Caverna every 6 days. Most recently, Ark Nova was updated on September 24, 2026 and Caverna on September 23, 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.*