# Bugborne vs Rift Drifter

The clearest difference is ads: Rift Drifter at none against Bugborne's shown. Rift Drifter also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Bugborne's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Bugborne sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Rift Drifter sells 3 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 — 5.0 for Bugborne against 5.0 for Rift Drifter. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Bugborne ships an update every 4 days, Rift Drifter fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bugborne | Rift Drifter |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bugborne/id6752551048/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rift-drifter/id6764129632/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 311 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Lemmy](https://appshunter.io/developer/1797446231) | [Jonathan Felty](https://appshunter.io/developer/1895652970) |

## What reviewers say

### Bugborne

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bugborne/id6752551048)

Experience intense, challenging combat with precise timing and discipline. This soulslike mobile game offers visceral knife fights and strategic dashes for skilled players.

**Highlights:** Intense soulslike combat, Precise timing and discipline, Visceral knife fights, Strategic dashes, Challenging gameplay

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |


### Rift Drifter

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rift-drifter/id6764129632)

Experience a retro arcade space shooter where every visual is generated from code. Engage in fast-paced runs with unique weapon systems, challenging bosses, and unlockable content. Designed with accessibility in mind for a smooth, one-handed experience.

**Highlights:** Code-generated vector graphics, 5 chapters of escalating challenges, Phased boss fights, Multiple weapon systems, Unlockable ships and cosmetics, Accessibility-first design, Checkpoint saves

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bugborne free?

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

### Is Rift Drifter free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Bugborne or Rift Drifter?

Bugborne and Rift Drifter are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do Bugborne or Rift Drifter have ads?

Bugborne shows ads; Rift Drifter does not.

### Which is updated more often, Bugborne or Rift Drifter?

Bugborne ships an update every 4 days, and Rift Drifter fortnightly. Most recently, Bugborne was updated on September 23, 2026 and Rift Drifter on October 2, 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.*