# RPGViewer vs Runa

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Runa at 91% against RPGViewer's 56%. Runa also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (20 vs 3). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

RPGViewer costs $4.99 and Runa $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Runa holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Runa has 20 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of RPGViewer's written reviews are positive against 91% of Runa's.

RPGViewer ships an update every 2 weeks, Runa weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | RPGViewer | Runa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$2.99** |
| Rating | [4.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rpgviewer/id6479395335/reviews) | **[4.5 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runa-rpg-maker-and-vn-player/id6779939767/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **20** |
| Positive reviews | 56.1% of reviews | **91.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #153 | **#68** |
| Size | 63 MB | 157 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ludan Cui](https://appshunter.io/developer/1403694478) | [Pham Tran Thai Bao](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896319810) |

## What reviewers say

### RPGViewer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rpgviewer/id6479395335)

**Currently charting:** #153 Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

This application allows you to play your own RPG Maker and Flash projects directly on your iOS device. It supports various RPG Maker versions and Flash games, offering on-screen controls, real controller support, and seamless save file management.

**Highlights:** Plays RPG Maker XP, VX, VX Ace, MV, MZ, Plays Flash (SWF) games via Ruffle, Plays HTML5 games, Import, read, and export save files, On-screen remappable gamepad, Real controller support, Cheat panel for MV/MZ

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Games run smoothly
- 👍 Cheat menu useful
- 👍 Good for RPGMV on iOS
- 👍 Competes with Joiplay
- 👍 Supports many engines

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Virtual controls clunky
- 🐛 Screen overlay by buttons
- 🐛 Save/export not working
- 🐛 Audio issues (OGG, general)
- 🐛 Game compatibility varies

**Reported bugs**

- CG errors
- Black screen on video playback
- Button presses also register as touches
- Black screen after changing positions
- Movie folder glitches

**Requested features**

- Customizable button layout
- Portrait mode button customization
- Game folder organization
- Rename games
- Game exit button


### Runa

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runa-rpg-maker-and-vn-player/id6779939767)

**Currently charting:** #68 Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

Play your RPG Maker games on your iPhone and iPad without a PC. Import games created with various RPG Maker engines and enjoy full-screen gameplay with customizable touch controls. Save and load game progress easily.

**Highlights:** Import RPG Maker games (XP, VX, VX Ace, MV, MZ), Full-screen landscape gameplay, Customizable virtual gamepad, Remappable on-screen controls, Save and export game progress, Offline play

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RPGViewer free?

RPGViewer costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Runa free?

Runa costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, RPGViewer or Runa?

Runa is rated higher. RPGViewer averages 4.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Runa averages 4.5 from 20 ratings.

### Do RPGViewer or Runa have ads?

Neither RPGViewer nor Runa shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, RPGViewer or Runa?

RPGViewer ships an update every 2 weeks, and Runa weekly. Most recently, RPGViewer was updated on November 8, 2026 and Runa on November 7, 2026.

### Which is more popular, RPGViewer or Runa?

RPGViewer currently peaks at #153 in the App Store charts, and Runa at #68. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*
