# Idle Exploration vs Idle Space Mining

The clearest difference is rating: Idle Space Mining at 5.0 against Idle Exploration's 3.8. Idle Space Mining also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). Idle Exploration's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (6 vs 1). On price, monetization model, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Idle Exploration sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Idle Space Mining asks for nothing beyond the download.

Idle Space Mining holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Idle Exploration has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Idle Exploration ships an update every 3 weeks, Idle Space Mining weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Idle Exploration | Idle Space Mining |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.8 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-exploration/id6761206594/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-space-mining/id6790513254/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **6** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 111 MB | 121 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Benjamin Cerrone](https://appshunter.io/developer/1724658473) | [ISAAC MICHAEL FRETT](https://appshunter.io/developer/1877499106) |

## What reviewers say

### Idle Exploration

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-exploration/id6761206594)

Embark on a relaxed top-down RPG adventure where you passively gather resources, battle monsters, and enhance your character. Discover new zones, collect procedurally generated gear, and upgrade your abilities through a prestige system. Daily quests and achievements ensure continuous rewards.

**Highlights:** Passive resource gathering, Monster combat and loot drops, Procedurally generated gear, Zone exploration and discovery, Skill tree and character upgrades, Prestige system for permanent bonuses, Daily quests and achievements

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gems Starter Bundle | $0.99 | one-time |
| Small Gem Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Extra Slots | $2.99 | one-time |
| Auto Claim Quests | $2.99 | one-time |
| Auto Open Chests | $4.99 | one-time |
| Double Resources | $4.99 | one-time |
| Starter Bundle | $5.99 | one-time |
| Large Gem Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Mega Bundle | $14.99 | one-time |
| Extra Large Gem Pack | $24.99 | one-time |


### Idle Space Mining

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-space-mining/id6790513254)

Build and expand a space mining empire through incremental upgrades and strategic choices. Reset your progress to gain permanent bonuses and achieve ultimate power. Earn resources even while offline.

**Highlights:** Incremental mining empire building, Strategic doctrine choices, Prestige system with Dark Matter, Permanent upgrades via Star Shards, Offline earnings, Challenging game modes, Comet catching events

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Idle Exploration free?

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

### Is Idle Space Mining free?

Idle Space Mining is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Idle Exploration or Idle Space Mining?

Idle Space Mining is rated higher. Idle Exploration averages 3.8 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Idle Space Mining averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Idle Exploration or Idle Space Mining have ads?

Idle Space Mining shows ads; Idle Exploration does not.

### Which is updated more often, Idle Exploration or Idle Space Mining?

Idle Exploration ships an update every 3 weeks, and Idle Space Mining weekly. Most recently, Idle Exploration was updated on October 6, 2026 and Idle Space Mining 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.*