# Idle Mining Factory Tycoon vs Canal Constructor

The clearest difference is update cadence: Idle Mining Factory Tycoon at every 8 days against Canal Constructor's every 4 months. Canal Constructor's advantage is review sentiment (50% vs 20%). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Idle Mining Factory Tycoon sells 26 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Canal Constructor sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Idle Mining Factory Tycoon against 4.8 for Canal Constructor. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.3K and 1.4K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 20% of Idle Mining Factory Tycoon's written reviews are positive against 50% of Canal Constructor's.

Idle Mining Factory Tycoon ships an update every 8 days, Canal Constructor every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Idle Mining Factory Tycoon | Canal Constructor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-mining-factory-tycoon/id6736738699/reviews)** | [4.8 (1.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canal-constructor/id6739828949/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1.3K | **1.4K** |
| Positive reviews | 20.3% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 301 MB | 254 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [HOT GAMES CO., LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1652276308) | [Solid Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/1625798412) |

## What reviewers say

### Idle Mining Factory Tycoon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-mining-factory-tycoon/id6736738699)

Manage your own mining operation, automate processes, and discover rare ores. Expand your empire, hire workers, and upgrade workstations to become a wealthy mining tycoon. Earn money even while offline.

**Highlights:** Automate mining processes, Discover rare ores, Hire and manage workers, Upgrade workstations, Earn idle cash offline, Expand mining operations

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

**In-app purchases (26)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No Ads for 30 days | $9.99 | per month |
| MinePack2 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Cash Pack1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Belt Pack 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Discount Premium Piggy Bank | $1.99 | one-time |
| 200 Diamonds | $1.99 | one-time |
| Ordinary Piggy Bank | $1.99 | one-time |
| Car Pack 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Discount Diamonds Pack 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Belt Pack 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Car Pack 2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Discount Diamonds Pack 2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Belt Pack 3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Discount Diamonds Pack 3 | $3.99 | one-time |
| First Pack 2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Direct Package 3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Expert Manager Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Miner Pass | $4.99 | one-time |
| Diamonds Pack 1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| 700 Diamonds | $5.99 | one-time |
| Diamonds Pack 2 | $9.99 | one-time |
| 2400 Diamonds | $11.99 | one-time |
| No Ads permanent | $14.99 | one-time |
| Diamonds Pack 3 | $14.99 | one-time |
| 3000 Diamonds | $19.99 | one-time |
| Super Winner | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Enjoyable game concept
- 💎 No ads

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive upgrades
- 🕰️ Excessive ad watching required
- 🐛 Bugs and crashes
- 🔄 Progress reset issues

**Reported bugs**

- Stuck at low income levels
- Incomplete progress after update
- Inability to access certain screens
- Crashing on launch

**Requested features**

- Cloud save feature
- Improved income/upgrade balance


### Canal Constructor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canal-constructor/id6739828949)

Build and manage a tiered canal system in this idle simulation game. Operate locks to control water levels, guide cargo ships for profit, and upgrade your infrastructure to become a water trade tycoon. Strategize and optimize your waterways for a relaxing yet engaging experience.

**Highlights:** Manage tiered canal systems, Operate locks to control water levels, Guide cargo ships for profit, Upgrade locks and expand waterways, Idle gameplay and simulation, Canal construction strategy

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| diamonds_1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| diamonds_2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| 7 Days no ads | $4.99 | one-time |
| diamonds_3 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Permanently remove ads | $9.99 | one-time |
| diamonds_4 | $19.99 | one-time |
| diamonds_5 | $49.99 | one-time |
| diamonds_6 | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💯 Excellent
- 🕰 Time killer
- 👍 Very good

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Filled with ads
- ⏱ Forced long ads
- 🙄 Ads ruin gameplay

**Reported bugs**

- Ads make game unplayable

**Requested features**

- Reduce ads
- Allow skipping ads


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Idle Mining Factory Tycoon free?

Idle Mining Factory Tycoon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Canal Constructor free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Idle Mining Factory Tycoon or Canal Constructor?

Idle Mining Factory Tycoon is rated higher. Idle Mining Factory Tycoon averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.3K ratings, while Canal Constructor averages 4.8 from 1.4K ratings.

### Do Idle Mining Factory Tycoon or Canal Constructor have ads?

Both Idle Mining Factory Tycoon and Canal Constructor show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Idle Mining Factory Tycoon or Canal Constructor?

Idle Mining Factory Tycoon ships an update every 8 days, and Canal Constructor every 4 months. Most recently, Idle Mining Factory Tycoon was updated on September 22, 2026 and Canal Constructor on September 23, 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.*