# Escape SBS vs POOLS™

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Escape SBS at none against POOLS™'s 1. Escape SBS also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). POOLS™'s advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. POOLS™ sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Escape SBS asks for nothing beyond the download.

Escape SBS ships an update every 5 days, POOLS™ every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Escape SBS | POOLS™ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.5 (1.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pools/id6670792878/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **1.6K** |
| Positive reviews | — | 79.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 220 MB | 1.9 GB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 9+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [卷文 唐](https://appshunter.io/developer/1627279395) | [Tensori](https://appshunter.io/developer/1767614989) |

## What reviewers say

### Escape SBS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/escape-sbs/id6557047878)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### POOLS™

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pools/id6670792878)

This app offers a slow, reflective, and immersive experience focused on exploration and atmosphere. It evokes feelings of unease and curiosity through its unique environments, inspired by liminal spaces and internet phenomena. Discover changing worlds and subtle narratives without traditional gameplay mechanics.

**Highlights:** Slow, reflective exploration, Atmospheric and immersive environments, Inspired by liminal spaces, Unfolding narrative through exploration, Six distinct chapters, Unique sound design

**Features:** Game Controller support, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| POOLS: Full Game | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Immersive experience
- 🔒 No ads
- 👍 Incredible attention to detail
- 👍 Realistic graphics and sound
- 👍 Eerie and creepy atmosphere

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Boring after a while
- 🐛 Lack of variety in environments

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to move on iPad Pro
- Glitches reported

**Requested features**

- Expand to different Backrooms-inspired themes
- Add a multiplayer mode
- Introduce more interactive elements (e.g., monsters, items to discover)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Escape SBS free?

Escape SBS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is POOLS™ free?

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

### Do Escape SBS or POOLS™ have ads?

Escape SBS shows ads; POOLS™ does not.

### Which is updated more often, Escape SBS or POOLS™?

Escape SBS ships an update every 5 days, and POOLS™ every 2 months. Most recently, Escape SBS was updated on October 10, 2026 and POOLS™ on October 14, 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.*