# Shadow Node vs Polymer AI

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Polymer AI at none against Shadow Node's 1. On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Shadow Node sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Polymer AI asks for nothing beyond the download.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shadow Node | Polymer AI |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polymer-ai/id6759531446/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **1** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Monetization | — | Ad-supported |
| Size | 109 MB | 67 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [NETBYTE UG (haftungsbeschränkt)](https://appshunter.io/developer/1854412817) | [Dunn-Carabali LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/312739826) |

## What reviewers say

### 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 |


### Polymer AI

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polymer-ai/id6759531446)

Build a cyberpunk AI startup from a basement to a global mega-corp. Manage exponential growth, infrastructure, and research while navigating real-time tactical challenges and a deep narrative. Compete with rivals and climb leaderboards in this idle strategy game.

**Highlights:** Empire building from basement to mega-corp, Exponential economy and infrastructure management, Unlock 20+ strategic technologies, Real-time tactical mini-games, Deep cyberpunk narrative with 40+ chapters, Offline progression, PvP hacking and global leaderboards

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shadow Node free?

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

### Is Polymer AI free?

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

### Do Shadow Node or Polymer AI have ads?

Both Shadow Node and Polymer AI show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Shadow Node or Polymer AI?

Shadow Node ships an update weekly, and Polymer AI weekly. Most recently, Shadow Node was updated on October 7, 2026 and Polymer AI on September 25, 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.*