# Cat Mine vs Backpack Merge

The clearest difference is update cadence: Cat Mine at every 4 days against Backpack Merge's every 6 weeks. Cat Mine also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (46% vs 25%). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cat Mine sells 50 one-off in-app purchases and Backpack Merge sells 44 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Cat Mine holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 345 and 119 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of Cat Mine's written reviews are positive against 25% of Backpack Merge's.

Cat Mine ships an update every 4 days, Backpack Merge every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cat Mine | Backpack Merge |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (345 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cat-mine-idle-rpg/id6476374348/reviews)** | [4.4 (119 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backpack-merge/id6566180728/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **345** | 119 |
| Positive reviews | **45.7% of reviews** | 25.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 554 MB | 231 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Game Duo Co.,Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1210111759) | [伟 王](https://appshunter.io/developer/1403717237) |

## What reviewers say

### Cat Mine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cat-mine-idle-rpg/id6476374348)

Embark on an idle RPG adventure to help Bean dig for a space crystal. Merge tools to become stronger, collect unique kitties, and explore various game modes. Enjoy endless gold and gems as you dig your way home.

**Highlights:** Merge and upgrade picks, AFK progression, Collect unique kitties, Endless gold and gems, Dungeon, Altar, Laboratory modes, Move Planets and Galaxies

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

**In-app purchases (50)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| gameduo_cm_equipment_0 | $0.49 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_starter_pack_1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_valentine_pass_1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_equipment_1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| cm_daily_gold_mine_pickaxe | $1.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_daily_bait | $1.99 | one-time |
| cm_starter_pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| cm_remove_ad_2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| cm_daily_dungeon | $1.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_rune_0 | $1.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_starter_pack_2 | $3.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_map_0 | $3.99 | one-time |
| cm_daily_battle_zone_ticket | $3.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_event_check_in_0 | $3.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_black_gem_1 | $5.99 | one-time |
| cm_remove_ad | $5.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_vip_1 | $5.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_rune_1 | $5.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_mission_pass_1 | $5.99 | one-time |
| special_roulette_pack_1 | $6.99 | one-time |
| anniversary_advance_pass | $6.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_event_pack_1 | $6.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_ruby_pack_1 | $6.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_rune_pack_1 | $6.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_auto_mining | $12.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_dice_pack_1 | $12.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_ruby_1 | $12.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_vip_2 | $12.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_rune_pack_2 | $12.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_rune_2 | $19.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_new_cat_pass_32 | $19.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_new_cat_pass_29 | $19.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_new_cat_pass_28 | $19.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_new_cat_pass_26 | $19.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_ruby_pack_3 | $29.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_event_pack_2 | $29.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_ruby_2 | $34.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_rush_0_pack_1 | $39.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_structure_pack_3 | $39.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_rune_pack_3 | $39.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_dice_pack_3 | $59.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_ruby_pack_3 | $59.99 | one-time |
| gold_chip_package_3 | $69.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_rush_1_pack_2 | $69.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_rush_0_pack_2 | $69.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_black_gem_3 | $69.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_black_gem_pack_3 | $69.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_event_pack_3 | $69.99 | one-time |
| gameduo_cm_ruby_3 | $69.99 | one-time |
| cm_dia_198000 | $69.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Engaging idle/incremental gameplay mechanics
- 🐱 Cute cat characters and charming art style
- 💰 Generous free-to-play experience without aggressive paywalls
- 📊 Reasonable progression system for non-paying players
- 🎵 Catchy background music

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and loading failures
- 📱 UI issues on iPhone (notch cutoff, missing skill icons)
- ⏰ Time-gated events requiring constant engagement
- 💸 Forced double payment between servers without transfer
- 🔐 Account loss after reinstallation despite linking

**Reported bugs**

- Game stuck at 90% loading screen
- Crashes on login after updates
- Pickaxe/equipment disappearing after reconnection
- Skill icons vanishing and becoming unselectable
- Touch input being skipped/unresponsive

**Requested features**

- Vietnamese language support
- Cross-platform account linking (Google/Facebook for iOS users)
- Automatic gold upgrades
- More content and dungeons
- Power level/combat power display


### Backpack Merge

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backpack-merge/id6566180728)

Merge magical equipment and strategically organize your backpack to defend a peaceful academy from a monster invasion. Become the legendary Archmage and discover diverse combat strategies through talented equipment combinations.

**Highlights:** Merge equipment, Organize backpack, Defend from monsters, Diverse strategies, Talented equipment combinations

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

**In-app purchases (44)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Package47 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Some Gems | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package65 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package54 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package61 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package33 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package40 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package26 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package9 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package11 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package27 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Package71 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package72 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package144 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package141 | $4.99 | one-time |
| A small pile of gems | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package7 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package12 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package28 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package35 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package21 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package76 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Package80 | $7.99 | one-time |
| Package81 | $7.99 | one-time |
| Package86 | $8.99 | one-time |
| Package84 | $8.99 | one-time |
| Package181 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package90 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package43 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package50 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package14 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package36 | $9.99 | one-time |
| A large pile of gems | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package22 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package8 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package10 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package13 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package204 | $14.99 | one-time |
| Package102 | $15.99 | one-time |
| Package103 | $15.99 | one-time |
| Package23 | $19.99 | one-time |
| A bag of gems | $19.99 | one-time |
| Package44 | $19.99 | one-time |
| Package24 | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Engaging and addictive gameplay mechanics
- 🎨 Attractive art style and visual design
- 🧠 Strategic depth with resource management
- ⚡ Active developer support with regular patches
- 🎯 Unique backpack/inventory management concept

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📺 Excessive ad frequency and duration (90+ seconds)
- 💰 Extremely high monetization and pay-to-win mechanics
- 🐛 Frequent server connection errors and crashes
- ⚠️ Ads frequently fail to load properly
- ⚖️ Severe game balance issues (weak weapons, overpowered enemies)

**Reported bugs**

- Ads fail to load or display (critical issue affecting rewards)
- Server connection errors and timeouts
- Insufficient items equipped error blocking stage progression
- Stamina randomly drains after server errors
- Login failures with Facebook and Apple ID

**Requested features**

- Add German language support
- Add Ukrainian and Russian language options
- Add Google ID login option for iOS
- Reduce ad frequency and duration
- Implement alternative monetization model


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cat Mine free?

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

### Is Backpack Merge free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Cat Mine or Backpack Merge?

Cat Mine is rated higher. Cat Mine averages 4.8 out of 5 from 345 ratings, while Backpack Merge averages 4.4 from 119 ratings.

### Do Cat Mine or Backpack Merge have ads?

Neither Cat Mine nor Backpack Merge shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cat Mine or Backpack Merge?

Cat Mine ships an update every 4 days, and Backpack Merge every 6 weeks. Most recently, Cat Mine was updated on October 24, 2026 and Backpack Merge on October 24, 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.*