# PlayVault vs Game Shelf by MindForge

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Game Shelf by MindForge at none against PlayVault's 2. Game Shelf by MindForge also leads on iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.0). PlayVault's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PlayVault sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Game Shelf by MindForge asks for nothing beyond the download.

PlayVault ships an update every 4 days, Game Shelf by MindForge every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PlayVault | Game Shelf by MindForge |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Size | 31 MB | 49 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.4** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Afonso Pires](https://appshunter.io/developer/1879800993) | [Aaron Greunke](https://appshunter.io/developer/6772745177) |

## What reviewers say

### PlayVault

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playvault-game-tracker/id6759612710)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PlayVault Pro | $0.99 | per month |
| PlayVault Pro | $9.99 | per year |


### Game Shelf by MindForge

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/game-shelf-by-mindforge/id6772745175)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PlayVault free?

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

### Is Game Shelf by MindForge free?

Game Shelf by MindForge is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do PlayVault or Game Shelf by MindForge have ads?

Neither PlayVault nor Game Shelf by MindForge shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PlayVault or Game Shelf by MindForge?

PlayVault ships an update every 4 days, and Game Shelf by MindForge every 3 weeks. Most recently, PlayVault was updated on October 4, 2026 and Game Shelf by MindForge on October 24, 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.*