Comparison

G.A.T.E.S. vs Squad Runner

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

G.A.T.E.S.

Experience the mobile game ads promised with this retro arcade shooter. Choose paths through gates to boost stats, build an army of ships, and blast through enemy waves and bosses. Unlock upgrades and skins to become stronger with every run.

Highlights
  • Gate path choices for stat boosts
  • Build and upgrade a fleet of ships
  • Retro arcade shooter gameplay
  • Multiple game modes (Arcade, Gambler, Boss Rush, Story)
  • Unlockable skins and permanent upgrades
  • Pixel art visuals and chiptune soundtrack
Features
Read full description

G.A.T.E.S. — Game Ads Teased, Experience Served You know those mobile game ads? The ones showing incredible gate-runner gameplay where you choose paths, multiply your army, and blast through enemies? Then you download the game and it's nothing like the ad? We built the game those ads promised. G.A.T.E.S. is a retro arcade shooter where you drag to move, auto-fire at enemy formations, and pass through gates that boost your stats. Choose your path wisely — every gate decision shapes your run. Fight through waves of enemies with unique behaviors, collect powerups, and face epic boss battles every 5 waves. CHOOSE YOUR PATH Pass through gates to boost damage, fire rate, spread, shields, projectiles, and more. Risk gates offer high reward for the daring. Mystery gates keep you guessing. BUILD YOUR ARMY Collect ships that fight alongside you. Watch your fleet grow from a lone fighter into a full squadron of upgraded warships. 4 GAME MODES - Arcade: Classic wave survival. How far can you go? - Gambler: Risk gates everywhere. High stakes, high rewards. - Boss Rush: Skip straight to the boss fights. - Story: Roguelite progression with credits, upgrades, and unlockable skins. UNLOCK & UPGRADE Earn credits to permanently upgrade your ship. Unlock 11 unique skins. Every run makes you stronger. RETRO VIBES Pixel art visuals inspired by Galaga and Space Invaders. Original chiptune soundtrack. CRT shader for authentic retro feel. FREE TO PLAY, FAIR TO PLAY No paywalls. No pay-to-win. All content is achievable through skill and mastery. Optional ads give you a boost, or remove them with a single purchase. Game Center leaderboards and achievements included.

About

Squad Runner

Features
Read full description

Command a growing squad across a collapsing bridge under fire. HOW IT PLAYS - Drag to steer. Auto-fire keeps the lane clear. - Flick to jump. Hold boost when the span opens up. - Gates multiply or shrink your squad — read them fast. - Four acts. Mid-boss after every act. Ogre King waits at the end. WHY IT STICKS Weather shifts from clear to rain and snow. Eight enemy kinds push harder each act. Daily missions and a soft shop keep short sessions rewarding. OPTIONAL ITEMS In-app packs for coins, continues, and removing full-screen ads. Rewarded videos stay available to continue without watching ads. No account required. Portrait. One hand. Terms of Use: https://www.caymaztech.com/en/games/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.caymaztech.com/en/games/privacy

Screenshots

G.A.T.E.S.4 screens
Squad Runner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: G.A.T.E.S. at none against Squad Runner's 10. Squad Runner's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 5 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Squad Runner sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. G.A.T.E.S. asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

G.A.T.E.S. ships an update every 5 months, Squad Runner every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
G.A.T.E.S. versus Squad Runner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterG.A.T.E.S.Squad Runner
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB52 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperKevin AlemanCaymaz Soft

In-app purchases

None

G.A.T.E.S.

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Squad Runner

One-time10
  • 5,000 Coins$0.99
  • 1 Continue$0.99
  • 3 Continues$1.99
Show 7 more
  • Starter Pack$2.99
  • 20,000 Coins$2.99
  • No Ads Pack$4.99
  • 10 Continues$4.99
  • 75,000 Coins$7.99
  • 25 Continues$9.99
  • 200,000 Coins$19.99

Questions

Is G.A.T.E.S. free?
G.A.T.E.S. is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Squad Runner free?
Squad Runner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do G.A.T.E.S. or Squad Runner have ads?
G.A.T.E.S. shows ads; Squad Runner does not.
Which is updated more often, G.A.T.E.S. or Squad Runner?
G.A.T.E.S. ships an update every 5 months, and Squad Runner every 3 days. Most recently, G.A.T.E.S. was updated on September 18, 2026 and Squad Runner on September 14, 2026.

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