Comparison

THUMB vs PANIC

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

Head to head
About

THUMB

Engage in quick, strategic 1v1 battles on a single device. Master swipe controls, charged shots, and timed shields to outmaneuver opponents, either against friends or adaptive AI. Enjoy endlessly replayable matches perfect for on-the-go competition.

Highlights
  • Single-device local multiplayer
  • Adaptive AI opponents
  • Swipe-based controls
  • Charged shot mechanics
  • Timed shield defense
  • Grid-based arena combat
Features
Read full description

THUMB-WAR The first sport that fits in your pocket. THUMB-WAR is a fast-paced 1v1 battler built for real-world competition. Two players face each other around a single phone, each controlling their fighter with one thumb. No controllers. No setup. Just hand someone your phone and battle. Charge powerful shots, reflect incoming attacks with perfect timing, dodge across a dynamic arena, and master a cast of unique fighters—each with their own abilities, playstyles, and customizable loadouts. Easy to learn. Deep enough to master. PLAY FACE-TO-FACE Most mobile multiplayer happens on separate screens. THUMB-WAR puts you in the same moment. The eye contact. The trash talk. The rematches. Whether you’re waiting in line, hanging out with friends, or settling a debate, every match takes seconds to start and creates moments you’ll remember. GO SOLO No opponent nearby? Battle increasingly challenging AI opponents, unlock rewards, learn new strategies, and sharpen your skills before your next real-world showdown. Single-player is the perfect way to master the game—and be ready when someone says, “Want to play?” FEATURES • Same-screen local multiplayer built around one device • Fast, skill-based matches • Multiple playable fighters with unique abilities • Charge shots, shields, reflects, status effects, and strategic loadouts • Challenging solo battles against adaptive AI • Unlock rewards and improve your mastery • Designed for quick matches that are endlessly replayable THUMB-WAR is the first chapter of Arcade Earth, an expanding sci-fi universe of games, stories, and unforgettable characters. Turn screen time into face time. Download THUMB-WAR and discover the world’s first pocket sport.

About

PANIC

Engage in augmented reality combat against monsters that appear in your real world. Explore a city under siege, upgrade your weapons and gear, and rescue your pets. Experience a narrative that adapts to your performance.

Highlights
  • Augmented Reality combat
  • Wave-based monster encounters
  • 30 surreal Incidents
  • Gun and gear upgrades
  • Mutated pet upgrades
  • Adaptive narration
Read full description

PANIC is a wave-based AR shooter set in Neo Jadu, a city collapsing under the effects of the Bloom—a mysterious energy that’s warping plants and creating monsters. Aliens are here to harvest it. A megacorp is trying to weaponize it. And you? You’re just trying to get your frog back. • Augmented Reality combat — enemies spawn in your real world • 30 surreal Incidents across 4 districts, from Frog Food Factories to Sunken Ruins full of cactus monsters • Upgrade your guns, gear, health, and mutated pets • Narration that tracks your wins and your humiliation • Face Bloom-twisted zombies, drones, orchids, beasts—and things with way too many teeth • Rescue Squish. Follow Void. Find Spitfire. Don’t get converted into an intern.

Screenshots

THUMB4 screens
PANIC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PANIC at every 2 days against THUMB's every 3 weeks. PANIC also leads on ratings volume (379 vs 22). THUMB's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 84%). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. THUMB sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and PANIC sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for THUMB against 4.9 for PANIC. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PANIC has 379 ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of THUMB's written reviews are positive against 84% of PANIC's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

THUMB ships an update every 3 weeks, PANIC every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
THUMB versus PANIC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTHUMBPANIC
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (22 ratings) — better4.9 (379 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better84.4% of reviews
Number of ratings22379 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size710 MB575 MB
Age rating9+12+
DeveloperPlanetary Games LLCJadu AR, Inc.

Customer experience

THUMB

All ratings22 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

PANIC

All ratings364 ratings
Positive98.1%
Neutral0.5%
Negative1.4%
Written reviews32 reviews
Positive84.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative15.6%

Bugs and requests

THUMB

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

PANIC

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashes during tutorial
  • Progression issues

Requested features

2 requests
  • Optimization for older devices
  • Expanded content and levels

In-app purchases

2 purchases

THUMB

One-time2
  • BOOM box$0.99
  • Remove Ads$3.99
7 purchases

PANIC

One-time7
  • Gift Pack $.99$0.99
  • Gift Pack $2.99$2.99
  • Gift Pack $4.99$4.99
Show 4 more
  • Gift Pack $9.99$9.99
  • Gift Pack $14.99$14.99
  • Gift Pack $19.99$19.99
  • Gift Pack $49.99$49.99

Questions

Is THUMB free?
THUMB is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PANIC free?
PANIC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, THUMB or PANIC?
THUMB is rated higher. THUMB averages 5.0 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while PANIC averages 4.9 from 379 ratings.
Do THUMB or PANIC have ads?
Neither THUMB nor PANIC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, THUMB or PANIC?
THUMB ships an update every 3 weeks, and PANIC every 2 days. Most recently, THUMB was updated on October 21, 2026 and PANIC on October 23, 2026.

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