# Fresh Trace vs Cold Case Trace

The clearest difference is rating: Cold Case Trace at 4.4 against Fresh Trace's 2.3. Cold Case Trace also leads on review sentiment (40% vs 0%) and ratings volume (62 vs 6). Fresh Trace's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cold Case Trace sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Fresh Trace asks for nothing beyond the download.

Cold Case Trace holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cold Case Trace has 62 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Fresh Trace's written reviews are positive against 40% of Cold Case Trace's.

Fresh Trace ships an update every 6 days, Cold Case Trace every 9 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Fresh Trace | Cold Case Trace |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.3 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fresh-trace-mobile-detective/id6788156836/reviews) | **[4.4 (62 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cold-case-trace-redstring/id6788852743/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 6 | **62** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **40.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 9 days |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 26 MB | 135 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Vlad Ivanov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1859034536) | [Oguzhan Yildirim](https://appshunter.io/developer/1685663174) |

## What reviewers say

### Fresh Trace

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fresh-trace-mobile-detective/id6788156836)

Uncover the truth behind a found phone by exploring its fictional apps, chats, and files. Piece together clues across multiple episodes to solve interconnected mysteries and crack each case.

**Highlights:** Explore fictional phone apps, Analyze chats and photos, Review call logs and emails, Plot GPS and mic trails, Solve puzzles to unlock content, Collect clues on a Case Board

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### 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 Fresh Trace free?

Fresh Trace is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Cold Case Trace free?

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

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

Cold Case Trace is rated higher. Fresh Trace averages 2.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Cold Case Trace averages 4.4 from 62 ratings.

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

Neither Fresh Trace nor Cold Case Trace shows ads.

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

Fresh Trace ships an update every 6 days, and Cold Case Trace every 9 days. Most recently, Fresh Trace 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.*