# Upload Simulator 2 vs Ethos Idle

The clearest difference is price: Ethos Idle at Free against Upload Simulator 2's $3.99. Ethos Idle also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (239 vs 18). Upload Simulator 2's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On review sentiment and device support there is nothing between them.

Ethos Idle is free to download; Upload Simulator 2 costs $3.99 up front. Ethos Idle sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Upload Simulator 2 asks for nothing beyond the download.

Ethos Idle holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ethos Idle has 239 ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Upload Simulator 2's written reviews are positive against 84% of Ethos Idle's.

Upload Simulator 2 ships an update every 2 days, Ethos Idle fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Upload Simulator 2 | Ethos Idle |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.4 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/upload-simulator-2/id6474804328/reviews) | **[4.8 (239 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ethos-idle/id6737059942/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 18 | **239** |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | **84.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 days** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 125 MB | 101 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [EnigmaDev Studios](https://appshunter.io/developer/1722551461) | [Graham Goldstein](https://appshunter.io/developer/1618966149) |

## What reviewers say

### Upload Simulator 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/upload-simulator-2/id6474804328)

Simulate the process of uploading data to earn credits, upgrade your hardware, and research new technologies. Discover unique artifacts, craft modules, and customize your operating system with themes and wallpapers.

**Highlights:** GPU mining for credits, Upgrade hardware setup, Research new technologies, Craft modules, Customize OS with themes, Discover unique artifacts

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Ethos Idle

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ethos-idle/id6737059942)

Guide humanity's progress from its earliest discoveries to the distant future. Manage your tribe's choices, develop over 200 unique ideas, and explore the world. Advance your civilization, unlock bonuses, and enjoy a single-player, offline experience with optional ads.

**Highlights:** Develop over 200 historic ideas, Explore and exploit the world, Manage tribe choices, Unlock exploration bonuses and synergies, Prestige mechanic upgrades, Customizable challenge scenarios, Offline single-player experience

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| x2 Speed | $6.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast progression
- 👍 Minimal ad interruption
- 👍 Simple and enjoyable design
- 👍 Great for relaxing and watching numbers go up
- 👍 Excellent incremental game design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐢 Slower progression speed desired
- 🛒 IAP for 2x production doesn't eliminate video ads

**Reported bugs**

- RNG for challenges is unfair and unfun
- Unlocking buffs for inaccessible technologies

**Requested features**

- Option to remove ads entirely
- Clarification on prestige warp gain multipliers


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Upload Simulator 2 free?

Upload Simulator 2 costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Ethos Idle free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Upload Simulator 2 or Ethos Idle?

Ethos Idle is rated higher. Upload Simulator 2 averages 4.4 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Ethos Idle averages 4.8 from 239 ratings.

### Do Upload Simulator 2 or Ethos Idle have ads?

Ethos Idle shows ads; Upload Simulator 2 does not.

### Which is updated more often, Upload Simulator 2 or Ethos Idle?

Upload Simulator 2 ships an update every 2 days, and Ethos Idle fortnightly. Most recently, Upload Simulator 2 was updated on October 1, 2026 and Ethos Idle on September 29, 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.*