# Pex vs Mapora

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Mapora at none against Pex's 10. Mapora also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pex sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Mapora asks for nothing beyond the download.

Pex ships an update every 2 weeks, Mapora every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pex | Mapora |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (190 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pex-watch-face-and-pet-ai/id6465689770/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **190** | — |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 205 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Gabriel Targon](https://appshunter.io/developer/825591763) | [伟成 项](https://appshunter.io/developer/1807667237) |

## What reviewers say

### Pex

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pex-watch-face-and-pet-ai/id6465689770)

Transform your device's screen into a vibrant home for a virtual pet. Create unique companions with AI, care for them through interactive widgets, and watch them grow. Choose from a variety of animals or design your own to live on your home screen.

**Highlights:** AI pet creation, Live home screen widgets, Pet care and interaction, 20+ pet types available, Real-time updates, Customizable companions

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AI Regeneration | $0.99 | one-time |
| Capybara | $1.99 | one-time |
| Fox | $1.99 | one-time |
| Tuxedo | $1.99 | one-time |
| German Shepherd | $1.99 | one-time |
| AI Basic - Week Promo | $4.99 | one-time |
| AI Pet Generator | $5.99 | one-time |
| Pex Complete Bundle | $9.99 | one-time |
| AI Premium - Week Promo | $10.99 | one-time |
| AI Pet + Premium Features | $12.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💖 Very cute and adorable animals
- ✨ AI pet generation is innovative
- ⌚ Great Apple Watch integration
- 📸 Ability to scan plush toys into virtual pets
- 🏠 Widgets are functional and appreciated

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Many features require premium purchase
- 💸 High cost for AI pets
- 😔 Limited free options
- ⏳ Pets take too long to regain energy
- ⏳ Hunger and energy deplete slowly

**Reported bugs**

- AI pet doesn't generate properly
- AI pets are gone
- App keeps asking to pay after purchase
- Pet doesn't sync with Apple Watch
- Widgets turn into glitched squares

**Requested features**

- More free animals/pets
- More cute free options
- Ability to change widget background
- Bearded dragon pet option
- More dog breeds (Siberian husky, Shiba Inu)


### Mapora

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapora-map-lock-screen/id6809884880)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pex free?

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

### Is Mapora free?

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

### Do Pex or Mapora have ads?

Pex shows ads; Mapora does not.

### Which is updated more often, Pex or Mapora?

Pex ships an update every 2 weeks, and Mapora every 6 days. Most recently, Pex was updated on November 3, 2026 and Mapora on October 31, 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.*