# Tiny Machinery vs Idle Chest

The clearest difference is ads: Tiny Machinery at none against Idle Chest's shown. Idle Chest's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (81% vs 54%). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Tiny Machinery sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Idle Chest sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Idle Chest holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 48 and 109 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of Tiny Machinery's written reviews are positive against 81% of Idle Chest's.

Tiny Machinery ships an update every 3 months, Idle Chest every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tiny Machinery | Idle Chest |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (48 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tiny-machinery-lost-reality/id6480047939/reviews) | **[4.5 (109 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-chest/id6744372975/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 48 | **109** |
| Positive reviews | 54.1% of reviews | **80.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 142 MB | 192 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [XSGames](https://appshunter.io/developer/1725979641) | [Thomas Gunzburger](https://appshunter.io/developer/1807389356) |

## What reviewers say

### Tiny Machinery

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tiny-machinery-lost-reality/id6480047939)

Immerse yourself in a virtual dimension to solve intricate puzzles and escape a mysterious experiment. Use your intellect to manipulate complex machinery and unlock the secrets of your confinement. Experience a unique escape room adventure with creative 3D graphics and atmospheric audio.

**Highlights:** Escape room-style puzzles, Creative 3D graphics, Intricate mechanisms, Atmospheric audio, Hint system, Unlockable story notes

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Game | $3.99 | one-time |
| Full Game + Coffee | $4.99 | one-time |
| Full Game + Love | $7.99 | one-time |


### Idle Chest

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-chest/id6744372975)

Embark on a treasure-hunting adventure where every click earns rewards. Upgrade your skills, collect and enhance equipment, and unlock unique abilities. Discover the secrets of this world through engaging gameplay and an addictive incremental experience.

**Highlights:** Open various chests, Loot and upgrade equipment, Buy skill upgrades, Unlock unique skills, Discover game story

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Underwater Background Skin | $3.99 | one-time |
| Underwater Chests Skin | $3.99 | one-time |
| Underwater Acolytes Skin | $3.99 | one-time |
| No Ads | $3.99 | one-time |
| Underwater Complete Skins Pack | $8.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun short idle clicker
- 👍 Consistent theme
- 👍 Enjoyable experience
- 👍 Minimalistic but rewarding grind
- 💰 Non-intrusive ads

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Game breaking bug with 'Chosen One' minion
- 🔍 Difficult to compare tap damage to acolyte damage
- 🔍 Some explanations could be improved
- 🔍 Slightly linear progression

**Reported bugs**

- Progress resets or reverts
- Minions not working after equipping 'Chosen One'

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Better UI for comparing damage sources


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Tiny Machinery free?

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

### Is Idle Chest free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Tiny Machinery or Idle Chest?

Idle Chest is rated higher. Tiny Machinery averages 4.2 out of 5 from 48 ratings, while Idle Chest averages 4.5 from 109 ratings.

### Do Tiny Machinery or Idle Chest have ads?

Idle Chest shows ads; Tiny Machinery does not.

### Which is updated more often, Tiny Machinery or Idle Chest?

Tiny Machinery ships an update every 3 months, and Idle Chest every 10 days. Most recently, Tiny Machinery was updated on October 22, 2026 and Idle Chest on October 30, 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.*