# Protocol 4 vs Shadow Node

The clearest difference is update cadence: Shadow Node at weekly against Protocol 4's every 4 months. Shadow Node also leads on 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. Protocol 4 sells 7 one-off in-app purchases and Shadow Node sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Protocol 4 ships an update every 4 months, Shadow Node weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 6, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Protocol 4 | Shadow Node |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Weekly** |
| Size | 12 MB | 109 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [HAKAN OZGER](https://appshunter.io/developer/1855495033) | [NETBYTE UG (haftungsbeschränkt)](https://appshunter.io/developer/1854412817) |

## What reviewers say

### Protocol 4

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/protocol-4-code-breaker-pvp/id6755742805)

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pocket Change | $0.99 | one-time |
| Starter Kit | $1.99 | one-time |
| Agent License | $2.99 | one-time |
| Hacker's Stash | $4.99 | one-time |
| Pro Kit | $4.99 | one-time |
| Trust Fund | $9.99 | one-time |
| Master Kit | $9.99 | one-time |


### Shadow Node

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shadow-node-idle-hacker/id6759072485)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Protocol 4 free?

Protocol 4 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Shadow Node free?

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

### Do Protocol 4 or Shadow Node have ads?

Both Protocol 4 and Shadow Node show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Protocol 4 or Shadow Node?

Protocol 4 ships an update every 4 months, and Shadow Node weekly. Most recently, Protocol 4 was updated on September 6, 2026 and Shadow Node on September 19, 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.*