Comparison

Ark Nova vs YINSH

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

Head to head
About

Ark Nova

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
Read full description

Plan and build a modern, scientifically managed zoo to support conservation projects in an acclaimed strategy board game. In Ark Nova, you will plan and design a modern, scientifically managed zoo. With the ultimate goal of owning the most successful zoological establishment, you will build enclosures, accommodate animals, and support conservation projects all over the world. Specialists and unique buildings will help you in achieving this goal. At the heart of Ark Nova are 255 cards featuring animals, specialists, unique enclosures, and conservation projects, each with a particular ability. Use them to increase the appeal and scientific reputation of your zoo and to collect conservation points. Each player has a set of action cards, which you will use and upgrade to carry out your plans. Each player has a set of five action cards to manage their gameplay, and the power of an action is determined by the slot the card currently occupies. The cards are: BUILD: Allows you to build standard or special enclosures, kiosks, and pavilions. ANIMALS: Allows you to accommodate animals in your zoo. CARDS: Allows you to gain new zoo cards (animals, sponsors, and conservation project cards). ASSOCIATION: Allows your association workers to carry out different tasks. SPONSORS: Allows you to play a sponsor card in your zoo or to raise money. With high replayability and rich components, Ark Nova provides a remarkable gaming experience that will bring the game to the table again and again.

About

YINSH

Engage in a Mensa Select award-winning strategy game with real-time online multiplayer or challenge an AI opponent. Analyze your performance with detailed stats and review past games to refine your tactics. Compete globally on leaderboards and track your progress with a sophisticated rating system.

Highlights
  • Online real-time 1v1 matches
  • Play with friends
  • Official Blitz Mode
  • Adjustable AI difficulty
  • Comprehensive performance stats
  • Game review and analysis
  • Global leaderboards
Features
Read full description

Flip the Board with a Single Move Move a ring and every marker it jumps over flips to the opposite color. Form a row of five markers to remove one of your rings. The first player to remove three rings wins. The rules are simple, but every decision can reshape the entire board. An attacking move can open the path to victory—or give your opponent the perfect counter. There is no luck. Only your strategy decides the outcome. Discover YINSH, the acclaimed abstract strategy game by Kris Burm and a Mensa Select award winner, in its official digital edition. Play Online with Players Around the World Face players from around the world in real-time 1v1 matches. Invite a friend and play together wherever you are. - Real-time matchmaking with players worldwide - Online matches with friends - Pure 1v1 competition decided by skill - Rankings that let you compete and improve Play, Review, Improve No opponent? No waiting. Choose an AI level that matches your skill and test new tactics whenever you want. After each match, replay your moves to spot decisive choices and missed opportunities. - Multiple AI difficulty levels - A safe place to test new strategies and tactics - Move-by-move match replays - Detailed records, including win rate and win streaks Go Deep or Play Fast Enjoy the full depth of the original rules or settle the match quickly in Blitz Mode. - Standard Mode: Be the first to remove three rings - Blitz Mode: Be the first to remove one ring - Choose between a deep strategic match and a quick battle Official YINSH, Anytime and Anywhere No board to set up and no pieces to put away. Let the app handle the rules while you focus on your next move. - Mensa Select award winner - Officially licensed by YINSH creator Kris Burm - A faithful digital adaptation of the original rules - Online matches, friend matches, and AI play Move the rings. Flip the markers. Rule the board. Play the official YINSH and put your strategy to the test.

Screenshots

Ark Nova4 screens
YINSH4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: YINSH at Free against Ark Nova's $10.99. YINSH also leads on review sentiment (90% vs 73%). Ark Nova's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 1.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 7). On update cadence, device support 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

YINSH is free to download; Ark Nova costs $10.99 up front. YINSH sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Ark Nova asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ark Nova holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ark Nova has 1.3K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of Ark Nova's written reviews are positive against 90% of YINSH's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ark Nova ships an update fortnightly, YINSH every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Ark Nova versus YINSH: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArk NovaYINSH
Price$10.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (1.3K ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews72.9% of reviews90.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.3K — better1
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#30 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size682 MB113 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperDire Wolf DigitalTheseus Game Studio

Customer experience

Ark Nova

All ratings1,236 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral1.9%
Negative1.5%
Written reviews133 reviews
Positive72.9%
Neutral10.5%
Negative16.5%

YINSH

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%

Bugs and requests

Ark Nova

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • iPad Flash exit issue
  • Rewards screen being blocked by other UI elements

Requested features

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

YINSH

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Ark Nova

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

YINSH

One-time7
  • Pack of 160 Diamonds$0.39
  • Pack of 400 Diamonds$1.29
  • Pack of 750 Diamonds$3.39
Show 4 more
  • No Ads Forever$4.49
  • Pack of 1600 Diamonds$14.90
  • Pack of 4500 Diamonds$37.00
  • Pack of 10000 Diamonds$73.90

Questions

Is Ark Nova free?
Ark Nova costs $10.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is YINSH free?
YINSH is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Ark Nova or YINSH?
Ark Nova is rated higher. Ark Nova averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.3K ratings, while YINSH averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Ark Nova or YINSH have ads?
YINSH shows ads; Ark Nova does not.
Which is updated more often, Ark Nova or YINSH?
Ark Nova ships an update fortnightly, and YINSH every 3 weeks. Most recently, Ark Nova was updated on October 22, 2026 and YINSH on October 8, 2026.

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