# Shadow Node vs Kardashev Ascension

The clearest difference is update cadence: Shadow Node at weekly against Kardashev Ascension's every 3 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Shadow Node sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Kardashev Ascension sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Shadow Node ships an update weekly, Kardashev Ascension every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 7, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shadow Node | Kardashev Ascension |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Size | 109 MB | 81 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [NETBYTE UG (haftungsbeschränkt)](https://appshunter.io/developer/1854412817) | [Saul Bartlett](https://appshunter.io/developer/1881167040) |

## 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 |


### Kardashev Ascension

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kardashev-ascension/id6759847055)

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Break Piggy Bank | $0.99 | one-time |
| Founder's Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $3.99 | one-time |
| Ascension Pack (900 DM) | $4.99 | one-time |
| Cosmic Pack (2,500 DM) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Architect Mastery | $9.99 | one-time |
| Research Accelerator | $12.99 | one-time |
| AI Nexus Upgrade | $17.99 | one-time |
| Galactic Overlord (21,000 DM) | $49.99 | one-time |
| Universal Dominator (60,000 DM) | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shadow Node free?

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

### Is Kardashev Ascension free?

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

### Do Shadow Node or Kardashev Ascension have ads?

Both Shadow Node and Kardashev Ascension show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Shadow Node or Kardashev Ascension?

Shadow Node ships an update weekly, and Kardashev Ascension every 3 weeks. Most recently, Shadow Node was updated on October 7, 2026 and Kardashev Ascension on October 7, 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.*