# POOLS™ vs Backrooms

The clearest difference is rating: POOLS™ at 4.5 against Backrooms's 3.8. POOLS™ also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (monthly vs every 7 months). Backrooms's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On price, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

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

POOLS™ holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: POOLS™ has 1.8K ratings behind it against 127, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of POOLS™'s written reviews are positive against 60% of Backrooms's.

POOLS™ ships an update monthly, Backrooms every 7 months. Both last shipped on October 28, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | POOLS™ | Backrooms |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pools/id6670792878/reviews)** | [3.8 (127 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backrooms-lost-in-level-0/id6739727701/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.8K** | 127 |
| Positive reviews | **79.9% of reviews** | 60.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1.9 GB | 264 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **12.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tensori](https://appshunter.io/developer/1767614989) | [JEAN MICKAEL DARIE](https://appshunter.io/developer/1785644362) |

## What reviewers say

### 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)


### Backrooms

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backrooms-lost-in-level-0/id6739727701)

Navigate endless yellow hallways in a mysterious, liminal space. Your goal is to find scattered buttons to unlock doors and escape Level 0 of the Backrooms. Experience a creepy atmosphere with high-quality graphics and immersive sound.

**Highlights:** Explore eerie hallways, Find and activate buttons, Unlock doors to escape, High-quality graphics, Immersive atmosphere, Atmospheric soundtrack

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is POOLS™ free?

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

### Is Backrooms free?

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

### Which has better reviews, POOLS™ or Backrooms?

POOLS™ is rated higher. POOLS™ averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while Backrooms averages 3.8 from 127 ratings.

### Do POOLS™ or Backrooms have ads?

Backrooms shows ads; POOLS™ does not.

### Which is updated more often, POOLS™ or Backrooms?

POOLS™ ships an update monthly, and Backrooms every 7 months. Most recently, POOLS™ was updated on October 28, 2026 and Backrooms on October 28, 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.*