# Cipher vs Arcnova

Cipher and Arcnova are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Both are free to download. Cipher sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Arcnova sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Cipher ships an update every 6 days, Arcnova every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cipher | Arcnova |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arcnova-interactive-novels/id6764068640/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **4** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 11 days |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 46 MB | 74 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Eldar Tutnjic](https://appshunter.io/developer/1504485100) | [Shenzhen Miquan Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1540058564) |

## What reviewers say

### Cipher

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cipher-decode-the-message/id6761147950)

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cipher Pass Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Cipher Pass Yearly | $17.99 | per year |
| 50 Coins | $0.99 | one-time |
| 120 Coins | $1.99 | one-time |
| 300 Coins | $3.99 | one-time |
| Cipher Pass Lifetime | $34.99 | one-time |


### Arcnova

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arcnova-interactive-novels/id6764068640)

Immerse yourself in interactive romance stories where your choices shape the narrative and lead to multiple endings. Explore diverse genres from werewolf tales to billionaire dramas and ancient palace romances. New chapters are added weekly, offering endless replayability.

**Highlights:** Branching narrative paths, Multiple story endings, Diverse romance genres, Weekly new chapters, Deep romance system, Stunning artwork

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 10 Diamonds | $0.99 | one-time |
| 20 Diamonds | $1.99 | one-time |
| Welcome Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| 50 Diamonds | $4.99 | one-time |
| 100 Diamonds | $9.99 | one-time |
| 200 Diamonds | $19.99 | one-time |
| 500 Diamonds | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cipher free?

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

### Is Arcnova free?

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

### Do Cipher or Arcnova have ads?

Neither Cipher nor Arcnova shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cipher or Arcnova?

Cipher ships an update every 6 days, and Arcnova every 11 days. Most recently, Cipher was updated on October 13, 2026 and Arcnova 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.*