Comparison

GameShard vs Pocket Backlog

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

Head to head
About

GameShard

Features
Read full description

Can't decide what to play tonight? GameShard picks for you, then tracks every hour you play. GameShard is the backlog tracker for people with more games than time. Import your whole Steam library in seconds, or tap the games you've played to fill your shelves. Then let Play Next suggest what to play based on your mood and how much time you have. WHAT TO PLAY NEXT · Pick a mood (chill, challenge, story, mindless fun) and how long you've got · Play Next suggests a game from your backlog, not a random store page · Average completion times for every game IMPORT IN SECONDS · Connect Steam and import your library with real playtime · Or pick from popular games and search millions of titles from IGDB · No account needed, and your library stays on your device TRACK EVERY HOUR · One-tap session timer, or log past playtime by hand · Full play history for every game · Home screen and lock screen widgets show what you're playing YOUR LIBRARY, YOUR WAY · Shelves: Playing, Backlog, Wishlist, Finished, Dropped · Rate games, rate a whole Steam import in one go, and add notes · Sort by playtime, rating or name, and filter by platform or genre SHARE WHAT YOU PLAY · Beautiful share cards with your rating and hours, free for everyone · Save to Photos or post anywhere ACHIEVEMENTS · 25+ achievements for finishing games, clearing your backlog and building streaks GAMESHARD PREMIUM · Full stats dashboard: hours by week, month and year, streaks, activity heatmap, completion speed, drop rate · Yearly recap · Premium achievements · Stats widget with shelf counts and total playtime · Compact and grid library layouts · Rename shelves and export your library to CSV Monthly or yearly subscription. Cancel anytime in Settings. Game data provided by IGDB. No ads. No tracking. No account required. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://dv1sual.github.io/GameShelf/privacy-policy.html

About

Pocket Backlog

Features
Read full description

Your gaming backlog, finally under control. Pocket Backlog is the beautiful, effortless way to track every game you own — now with one-tap Steam library import — decide what to play next, and celebrate every game you finish. Across 46+ platforms, from PS5 to Switch to Steam Deck. NEW: IMPORT FROM STEAM - Sign in with Steam and bring your whole collection across in one go — everything you own, sorted into your backlog in seconds - Pull in the Steam achievements you've earned and see how far you've come on each game (Pro) DISCOVER & ORGANISE - Swipe through games Tinder-style to build your library in seconds - Track every game as Wishlist, Backlog, Playing, Completed, or Dropped - Search thousands of titles powered by the IGDB database - Tap "Pick for Me" when you can't decide what to play next — filter by how much time you have CELEBRATE WHAT YOU FINISH - Every game you finish earns a Gamedex card — a growing collection of your wins, right beside your Library (Pro brings any card to life in 3D) - Turn any game into a shareable Game Card to show off — free, straight from a game's menu - Now Playing check-ins gently ask how the game you're on is going — stay on it, finish it, or set it aside in one tap SEE YOUR STATS COME ALIVE - Weekly, monthly, and year-end Recaps show your gaming journey — Wrapped-style - Profile charts break down your top genres, platforms, and completion streaks - Find out your Gamer Personality based on how you play MAKE IT YOURS - 4 library styles: Classic, Hero Spotlight, Dashboard, and Shelf - A collection of alternate app icons — brushed metallics, bold colours and playful variants - Home screen and Lock Screen widgets to keep your backlog front and centre - Custom accent themes and border styles - Get notified the day your wish-listed games launch NO NOISE, JUST YOUR GAMES No ads. No social pressure. No algorithmic feeds. Just your games, beautifully organised. Pocket Backlog is built for gamers who want clarity — not another source of noise. FREE & PRO Search, swipe, organise, and track your full library for free. Upgrade to Pro for iCloud sync across devices, all library styles, profile charts, home screen widgets, deluxe Gamedex cards, Steam achievements, alternate app icons, and additional themes. Available as monthly, annual, or lifetime. Terms of Use: https://pocketlab.studio/pocket-backlog/terms Privacy Policy: https://pocketlab.studio/pocket-backlog/privacy

Screenshots

GameShard4 screens
Pocket Backlog4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Pocket Backlog at every 4 days against GameShard's every 9 days. GameShard's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.4). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. GameShard sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Pocket Backlog sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GameShard ships an update every 9 days, Pocket Backlog every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
GameShard versus Pocket Backlog: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGameShardPocket Backlog
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.4
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLUCA MANZONIDavid Norris

In-app purchases

2 purchases

GameShard

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$14.991 Year
3 purchases

Pocket Backlog

Subscriptions2
  • Pocket Backlog Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Pocket Backlog Pro Annual$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pocket Backlog Lifetime Pro$49.99

Questions

Is GameShard free?
GameShard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pocket Backlog free?
Pocket Backlog is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do GameShard or Pocket Backlog have ads?
Neither GameShard nor Pocket Backlog shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GameShard or Pocket Backlog?
GameShard ships an update every 9 days, and Pocket Backlog every 4 days. Most recently, GameShard was updated on October 1, 2026 and Pocket Backlog on October 2, 2026.

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