# Detectea vs Cold Case Trace

The clearest difference is monetization model: Cold Case Trace at freemium against Detectea's subscription. Cold Case Trace also leads on review sentiment (25% vs 8%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Detectea sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Cold Case Trace sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Cold Case Trace holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 68 and 62 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 8% of Detectea's written reviews are positive against 25% of Cold Case Trace's.

Detectea ships an update fortnightly, Cold Case Trace every 9 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Detectea | Cold Case Trace |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (68 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/detectea-detective-game/id6774531803/reviews) | **[4.4 (62 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cold-case-trace-redstring/id6788852743/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **68** | 62 |
| Positive reviews | 8.3% of reviews | **25.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Freemium** |
| Size | 554 MB | 135 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [App Tricks Studio](https://appshunter.io/developer/1789339184) | [Oguzhan Yildirim](https://appshunter.io/developer/1685663174) |

## What reviewers say

### Detectea

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/detectea-detective-game/id6774531803)

Investigate fictional phones to uncover hidden secrets and solve mysteries. Explore messages, photos, and payments to piece together the truth and send proof to clients. Uncover new cases and secrets as you progress through interactive episodes.

**Highlights:** Investigate realistic fictional phone apps, Find clues in chats, photos, notes, payments, maps, emails, Send proof back to the client, Answer deduction questions, Use hints when stuck, Unlock new cases and secrets

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Annual Premium | $19.99 | per year |
| Annual Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| Annual Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| Premium Annual | $49.99 | per year |


### Cold Case Trace

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cold-case-trace-redstring/id6788852743)

Uncover the truth by examining a simulated phone's messages, photos, and data. Connect clues on an evidence board and accuse the killer in this interactive detective story. Your first case is free to play.

**Highlights:** Simulated phone with chats, photos, and data, Interactive live chat with client, Evidence board with red string connections, Escalating hint system, Multiple European case locations, Unlockable cases via subscription

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Redstring Pass — Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Annual Pass — Special Offer | $19.99 | per year |
| Redstring Pass — Annual | $39.99 | per year |
| Reveal the Answer | $1.99 | one-time |
| 5 Reveals | $4.99 | one-time |
| 10 Reveals | $7.99 | one-time |
| All Cases — Lifetime | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Detectea free?

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

### Is Cold Case Trace free?

Cold Case Trace is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Detectea or Cold Case Trace?

Cold Case Trace is rated higher. Detectea averages 4.2 out of 5 from 68 ratings, while Cold Case Trace averages 4.4 from 62 ratings.

### Do Detectea or Cold Case Trace have ads?

Neither Detectea nor Cold Case Trace shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Detectea or Cold Case Trace?

Detectea ships an update fortnightly, and Cold Case Trace every 9 days. Most recently, Detectea was updated on October 24, 2026 and Cold Case Trace 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.*