# Shadow Match vs Pawpop Match

The clearest difference is ads: Shadow Match at none against Pawpop Match's shown. Pawpop Match's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs monthly) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Shadow Match sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Pawpop Match sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Pawpop Match holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pawpop Match has 149 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of Shadow Match's written reviews are positive against 50% of Pawpop Match's.

Shadow Match ships an update monthly, Pawpop Match every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shadow Match | Pawpop Match |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shadow-match-vampire-rpg/id6746191193/reviews) | **[4.6 (149 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pawpop-match/id6746398030/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 6 | **149** |
| Positive reviews | 42.9% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1.5 GB | 518 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lanqing (Ningbo) Information Technology Service Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1728822192) | [Com2uS Holdings Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/646209316) |

## What reviewers say

### Shadow Match

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shadow-match-vampire-rpg/id6746191193)

Engage in strategic puzzle combat and team building in a vampire-themed RPG. Collect and upgrade unique heroes, explore diverse game modes, and battle through challenging quests and mazes. Enjoy cooperative and competitive play with alliances and arena challenges.

**Highlights:** Match-3 combat, Idle card battles, Unique mini-games, Hero collection and upgrades, Exploration and challenges, Cooperative and competitive play, Offline progression

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| First Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Prime Summon Pack Ⅰ | $1.99 | one-time |
| Hero pack A | $3.99 | one-time |
| Hero pack F | $3.99 | one-time |
| Weekly Card | $4.99 | one-time |
| Gold Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Essence Blood Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Monthly Card | $14.99 | one-time |
| Hero pack M | $14.99 | one-time |
| Recharge Ⅲ | $19.99 | one-time |


### Pawpop Match

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pawpop-match/id6746398030)

Embark on a charming puzzle adventure with a traveling circus of animal characters. Solve match-3 puzzles to help adorable animal villages grow and transform. Enjoy a relaxing, no-pressure gameplay experience with hundreds of levels and village decoration.

**Highlights:** Explore cozy animal villages, Classic match puzzle gameplay, Help animal villages grow, Village building and decoration, Boosters and special events, Offline play

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 0.99 package | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1.99 package | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2.99 package | $2.99 | one-time |
| 4.99 package | $4.99 | one-time |
| 6.99 package | $6.99 | one-time |
| 7.99 package | $7.99 | one-time |
| 9.99 package | $9.99 | one-time |
| 14.99 package | $14.99 | one-time |
| 19.99 package | $19.99 | one-time |
| 39.99 package | $39.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shadow Match free?

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

### Is Pawpop Match free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Shadow Match or Pawpop Match?

Pawpop Match is rated higher. Shadow Match averages 4.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Pawpop Match averages 4.6 from 149 ratings.

### Do Shadow Match or Pawpop Match have ads?

Pawpop Match shows ads; Shadow Match does not.

### Which is updated more often, Shadow Match or Pawpop Match?

Shadow Match ships an update monthly, and Pawpop Match every 6 days. Most recently, Shadow Match was updated on November 5, 2026 and Pawpop Match on November 12, 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.*