# Plug vs HookHero

The clearest difference is ads: Plug at none against HookHero's shown. Plug also leads on chart position (#168 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Plug sells 18 one-off in-app purchases and HookHero sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Plug | HookHero |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plug-build-your-empire-irl/id6761916606/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 75.8% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | **#168** | — |
| Size | 82 MB | 95 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Nocturne Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/6804633967) | [Rotem Peretz](https://appshunter.io/developer/6775002469) |

## What reviewers say

### Plug

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plug-build-your-empire-irl/id6761916606)

**Currently charting:** #168 Top Free · Strategy (US App Store)

Build and manage a global dealer empire on a real-world map. Automate your operations to earn offline profits and expand your territory across cities and continents. Compete with rivals in real-time events and unlock powerful upgrades.

**Highlights:** Build empire on real-world live map, Automate operations for offline profit, Expand territory city by city, Hire managers and unlock upgrades, Compete in real-time events, Idle tycoon and incremental progression

**Features:** iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lab Boost I | $0.99 | one-time |
| Production Speed I | $0.99 | one-time |
| Distribution I | $0.99 | one-time |
| Discretion I | $0.99 | one-time |
| Driver Upgrade 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Dryer Upgrade 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Farm Upgrade 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Distribution II | $2.99 | one-time |
| Driver Upgrade 2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Farm Upgrade 2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Dryer Upgrade 2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Driver Upgrade 3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Clean Money - $10K | $4.99 | one-time |
| Dryer Upgrade 3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Clean Money - $50K | $12.99 | one-time |
| Clean Money - $100K | $19.99 | one-time |
| Premium | $29.99 | one-time |
| Empire Bundle | $39.99 | one-time |


### HookHero

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hookhero-risen/id6777786190)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gems Small | $0.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $3.99 | one-time |
| Coin Doubler | $4.99 | one-time |
| Starter Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Gems Medium | $4.99 | one-time |
| Gems Large | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Plug free?

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

### Is HookHero free?

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

### Do Plug or HookHero have ads?

HookHero shows ads; Plug does not.

### Which is updated more often, Plug or HookHero?

Plug ships an update weekly, and HookHero weekly. Most recently, Plug was updated on October 31, 2026 and HookHero on October 25, 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.*