# IdleSphere vs Ethos Idle

The clearest difference is rating: Ethos Idle at 4.8 against IdleSphere's 3.8. Ethos Idle also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 47%) and ratings volume (239 vs 32). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. IdleSphere sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and Ethos Idle sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Ethos Idle holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ethos Idle has 239 ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of IdleSphere's written reviews are positive against 84% of Ethos Idle's.

IdleSphere ships an update every 8 days, Ethos Idle fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | IdleSphere | Ethos Idle |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.8 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idlesphere/id6480509205/reviews) | **[4.8 (239 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ethos-idle/id6737059942/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 32 | **239** |
| Positive reviews | 46.7% of reviews | **84.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 224 MB | 101 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Idle System, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1727483319) | [Graham Goldstein](https://appshunter.io/developer/1618966149) |

## What reviewers say

### IdleSphere

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idlesphere/id6480509205)

Experience a visually stunning incremental game centered around spheres. Watch countless spheres come to life with synchronized graphics and in-game currency. Enjoy intuitive upgrades, a deep prestige system, and a wealth of content in this mesmerizing adventure.

**Highlights:** Visually stunning sphere graphics, Synchronized in-game currency and visuals, Intuitive upgrade system, Extensive prestige system, Zoom in and out functionality, Wealth of content

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Chaotics 200 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Chaotics 1000 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Orbit Pack | $7.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Bonus | $9.99 | one-time |
| Digital Winter | $19.99 | one-time |
| Chaotics 5000 | $29.99 | one-time |


### 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 IdleSphere free?

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

### Is Ethos Idle free?

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

### Which has better reviews, IdleSphere or Ethos Idle?

Ethos Idle is rated higher. IdleSphere averages 3.8 out of 5 from 32 ratings, while Ethos Idle averages 4.8 from 239 ratings.

### Do IdleSphere or Ethos Idle have ads?

Both IdleSphere and Ethos Idle show ads.

### Which is updated more often, IdleSphere or Ethos Idle?

IdleSphere ships an update every 8 days, and Ethos Idle fortnightly. Most recently, IdleSphere was updated on October 11, 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.*