# Dumb vs StartWar

The clearest difference is rating: Dumb at 5.0 against StartWar's 3.3. Dumb also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. StartWar sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Dumb asks for nothing beyond the download.

Dumb holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 4 respectively.

Dumb ships an update every 9 days, StartWar fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dumb | StartWar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dumb-fish/id6751790324/reviews)** | [3.3 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startwar/id6761545647/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **4** |
| Positive reviews | — | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 20 MB | 109 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Absurd Technologies LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1680244675) | [LT Leadership SRL](https://appshunter.io/developer/1890218479) |

## What reviewers say

### Dumb

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dumb-fish/id6751790324)

Engage in strategic gameplay with a unique chess engine. This application offers a straightforward way to play chess, focusing on its core mechanics. Enjoy a simple yet engaging experience designed for chess enthusiasts.

**Highlights:** Chess gameplay, Unique engine, Simple interface, Strategic challenges

**In-app purchases:** none


### StartWar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startwar/id6761545647)

Command a nation on a real-world map, forging alliances and engaging in warfare to achieve global dominance. Manage resources, build armies, and plan your conquests through strategic gameplay.

**Highlights:** Real-world map with authentic borders, Risk-inspired strategic mechanics, Army building and resource management, Alliance forging and warfare, Fast matches and long campaigns

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VIP Commander | $9.99 | per month |
| Tactical Advantage | $4.99 | one-time |
| Higher Power | $29.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dumb free?

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

### Is StartWar free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Dumb or StartWar?

Dumb is rated higher. Dumb averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while StartWar averages 3.3 from 4 ratings.

### Do Dumb or StartWar have ads?

StartWar shows ads; Dumb does not.

### Which is updated more often, Dumb or StartWar?

Dumb ships an update every 9 days, and StartWar fortnightly. Most recently, Dumb was updated on October 9, 2026 and StartWar on October 20, 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.*