# Cookie Empire vs Switchgear

The clearest difference is ads: Cookie Empire at none against Switchgear's shown. Cookie Empire also leads on ratings volume (654 vs 1) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). Switchgear's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.5). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cookie Empire sells 15 one-off in-app purchases and Switchgear sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Switchgear holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cookie Empire has 654 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Cookie Empire ships an update weekly, Switchgear monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cookie Empire | Switchgear |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (654 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cookie-empire-idle-clicker/id6471402254/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/switchgear/id6473445912/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **654** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 68.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 57 MB | 90 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alejandro Jimenez Rico](https://appshunter.io/developer/1638610472) | [Alpha Innovation Game Studios Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1088653898) |

## What reviewers say

### Cookie Empire

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cookie-empire-idle-clicker/id6471402254)

Click to bake cookies, automate production, and grow your empire in this idle incremental game. Explore minigames, uncover cryptic lore, and ascend to unlock powerful boosts. Features include offline progress, complex synergies, and a unique grandma sacrifice mechanic.

**Highlights:** Incremental cookie baking, Automation and complex synergies, Offline progress, Multiple minigames (Farming, Stock Market, Lucky Wheel, Tile Matching), Ascension/Prestige mechanics, Grandma sacrifice to demons, Public leaderboards

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

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mini Gem Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| 53 Wings | $0.99 | one-time |
| Magic Cookie | $0.99 | one-time |
| Gems 1.2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Medium Gems Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Boost | $1.99 | one-time |
| Time Warp | $2.99 | one-time |
| Gems Small Pack 2 | $3.99 | one-time |
| No-Ads | $4.99 | one-time |
| Large Gems Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Gems Mid Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| Seasonal Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Big Gems Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Larger Gems Pack | $24.99 | one-time |
| Largest Gems Pack | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun Little Idle Game
- 👍 THIS is how iOS games should be
- 👍 Great game, no ads
- 👍 Anxiety Relief
- 👍 Quality game

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Offline progress locked
- 🐛 Putting the main idle mechanic behind an ad
- 🔋 High battery drain
- 🐛 Wasted Potential
- 🐛 Losing progress

**Reported bugs**

- Offline progress not working
- Ascension issues
- Alchemy lab not working
- Upgrades not appearing
- Crashes after updates

**Requested features**

- Add backbone please
- More audio suggestions
- Ability to see vegetables in the garden
- Volleyball skin
- Achievements


### Switchgear

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/switchgear/id6473445912)

Navigate an endless cycle of rotating gears, collecting items to beat your high score. Avoid hazards like falling off, being crushed, or caught by enemies. Power-ups offer a temporary advantage in this fast-paced hunt.

**Highlights:** Endless rotating gear system, Item collection for high scores, Achievement cogs to unlock, Hazard avoidance (falling, crushing), Enemy encounters, Power-up collection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Slow Time X5 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Jolly Roger X5 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Extra Time X5 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Shield X5 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Extra Life x5 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Special Pack X3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Special Pack X10 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Special Pack X25 | $19.99 | one-time |
| Special Pack X75 | $49.99 | one-time |
| Special Pack X200 | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cookie Empire free?

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

### Is Switchgear free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Cookie Empire or Switchgear?

Switchgear is rated higher. Cookie Empire averages 4.5 out of 5 from 654 ratings, while Switchgear averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Cookie Empire or Switchgear have ads?

Switchgear shows ads; Cookie Empire does not.

### Which is updated more often, Cookie Empire or Switchgear?

Cookie Empire ships an update weekly, and Switchgear monthly. Most recently, Cookie Empire was updated on October 30, 2026 and Switchgear on October 27, 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.*