Head Up Runner vs HollowLight
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Head Up Runner
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Get ready for a unique endless runner experience! Jump, spin, and switch lanes to avoid obstacles and collect rewards. Can you master the rhythm and stay in control? Features: Dynamic lane-switching gameplay Intuitive controls and smooth animations Endless levels with increasing difficulty Stunning visuals and immersive sound effects Unlockable characters and power-ups How long can you keep spinning and running? Download now and find out!
HollowLight
Guide a small spirit to push back encroaching darkness in procedurally generated dungeons. Collect gear and upgrades to customize your playstyle and defend your forest home. The challenge grows even when you're offline.
- Procedurally generated dungeons
- Dynamic traps and enemies
- Gear and upgrade collection
- Playstyle customization
- Offline play
- Character progression
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The Darkness is Coming. Your Light, the Only Thing it Fears. As The Tide of Darkness and Destruction Spreads, the Nurnen Forest Fades, its Ancient Light Waning. You—One Tiny, Radiant Orblit— are CHOSEN to Carry the Torch and Push Back the Gloom! > Become Brody, a Spirit of The Forest! An Unlikely Hero, and Master of Last-Second Dodges, With a Destiny Far Larger than His Size. > Conquer Ever‑Shifting Dungeons! Explore Procedural Labyrinths Filled with Dynamic Traps, Secrets, and Abominations Born of Shadow. No Two Runs Feel the Same. > Claim New Gear and Rise With Every Run! Discover Weapons, Armour, Sidekicks, Upgrades, and Precious Supplies to Shape YOUR own Playstyle. > Defend the Nurnen Forest! Fight to Protect what Remains of your Home and its Villagers, Man & Beast, Hopelessly Clinging to the Light. > The Darkness Never Sleeps! Even Offline, the World Shifts and the Threat Grows. Return to find New Dangers—and New Opportunities. *Developers Note* - Created Solo with a Lot of Love (and coffee). Thank you for Keeping Indie Dev Burning Bright!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: HollowLight at none against Head Up Runner's shown. Head Up Runner's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Head Up Runner ships an update every 11 days, HollowLight every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Head Up Runner | HollowLight |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | — | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 63 MB | 284 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Salih Eksioglu | Adam Hutchinson |
In-app purchases
Head Up Runner
No in-app purchases
HollowLight
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Head Up Runner free?
Is HollowLight free?
Do Head Up Runner or HollowLight have ads?
Which is updated more often, Head Up Runner or HollowLight?
Other comparisons
