# Dead Ahead vs Shipmate

The clearest difference is update cadence: Dead Ahead at every 4 days against Shipmate's every 9 days. Dead Ahead also leads on chart position (#114 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Dead Ahead sells 11 one-off in-app purchases and Shipmate sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Dead Ahead ships an update every 4 days, Shipmate every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dead Ahead | Shipmate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dead-ahead-roadside/id6741141103/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1.3K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 82.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 9 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | **#114** | — |
| Size | 261 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 9+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [ABE Entertainment Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1422675693) | [Andrew Do](https://appshunter.io/developer/1815171417) |

## What reviewers say

### Dead Ahead

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dead-ahead-roadside/id6741141103)

**Currently charting:** #114 Top Grossing · Adventure, #134 Top Free · Adventure (US App Store)

Embark on a darkly comedic RPG adventure through a zombie apocalypse. Lead a unique crew of survivors, make impactful choices that shape the story, and scavenge for resources in a world filled with danger and humor. Outsmart the undead with tactical combat and adapt your strategy for endless replayability.

**Highlights:** Branching storyline with impactful choices, Recruit and strategize with unique survivors, Explore and scavenge in randomized encounters, Gear up and adapt with tactical combat, Dark humor and unexpected consequences, Endless replayability with multiple endings

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lair Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Survival Kit | $0.99 | one-time |
| Queen Pack I | $3.99 | one-time |
| Monthly Card | $5.99 | one-time |
| Queen Pack II | $5.99 | one-time |
| Signal Rocket Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| Ad-Free Card | $9.99 | one-time |
| Provisions | $11.49 | one-time |
| Office Tower Stash | $11.99 | one-time |
| Precious Stash | $11.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Card | $34.99 | one-time |


### Shipmate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shipmate-pixel-seas/id6798534968)

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A handful of pearls | $0.99 | one-time |
| A pouch of pearls | $2.99 | one-time |
| Starter bundle | $2.99 | one-time |
| Captain's charter | $4.99 | one-time |
| A chest of pearls | $5.99 | one-time |
| A hoard of pearls | $12.99 | one-time |
| A treasure of pearls | $29.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dead Ahead free?

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

### Is Shipmate free?

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

### Do Dead Ahead or Shipmate have ads?

Both Dead Ahead and Shipmate show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Dead Ahead or Shipmate?

Dead Ahead ships an update every 4 days, and Shipmate every 9 days. Most recently, Dead Ahead was updated on October 30, 2026 and Shipmate on October 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.*