Comparison

Dango Derby vs Grapplo

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Dango Derby

Experience adorable ball racing and tower drops on winding courses. Master momentum-based controls in Dango Chase or guide bouncing dango through gaps in Dango Helix. Compete for high scores and fastest times, with optional skill-based contests for eligible adults.

Highlights
  • Dango Chase lane racing
  • Dango Helix tower drops
  • Momentum-based controls
  • Deterministic physics
  • Collectible cosmetic items
  • Skill-based Derby contests
Features
Read full description

Dango Derby brings kawaii ball racing and tower drops together. Roll through winding toy-box courses in Dango Chase or bounce down a tower in Dango Helix. Race in Dango Chase with lane steering, tap acceleration and held speed. In Dango Helix, drag to rotate the tower and guide your bouncing dango through the gaps. Every contest uses the same deterministic conditions for every performance. Chase ranks by fastest completion time; Helix ranks by highest score. Free mode has no entry fee or real-money rewards. Both modes offer optional skill-based paid-entry Derby contests to eligible players age 18 or older in supported US states. Entry +fees, rules, field size and verified-human opponent format, and fixed prize schedules are displayed before entry, and precise location verification is required. Collect cosmetics with earned gems. Gems are not cash. Features: - Dango Chase lane racing and Dango Helix tower drops - Momentum-based controls that reward clean lines and speed - Deterministic physics with time-based Chase and score-based Helix results - Adorable dango ball skins, trails, and cosmetics to collect - One-run Derby contests against verified human performances for eligible adults - Daily quests and skill-based competition

About

Grapplo

Master a challenging arcade game of timing and momentum. Swing through glowing caves, chaining combos and dodging hazards. Aim for high scores in bite-sized, addictive runs.

Highlights
  • One-tap slingshot controls
  • Glowing crystal caverns
  • Combo chaining
  • Collect stars
  • Dodge spiked hazards
  • Arcade flow and rhythm
Read full description

Grapplo is a slingshot arcade game about swinging through beautiful crystal caves on a beam of light, timing each release perfectly, and stringing together combos that light up the dark. Tap to grab an anchor, swing, and let go at the perfect moment to sling yourself into the depths. Time it right and the world responds - combos climb, sparks fly, and your score explodes. Miss it and the spikes are waiting. Easy to pick up. Genuinely hard to master. HOW TO PLAY Tap and hold to grab the nearest anchor point. Swing on your beam of light, build momentum, then release at exactly the right moment to launch yourself forward. Link one swing into the next and keep the run alive. FEATURES - Simple one-tap slingshot controls anyone can learn in seconds - Gorgeous glowing crystal caverns that shift colour as you descend - Chain combos and nail 360 trick shots for massive score - Collect stars and beat your personal best on every run - Dodge deadly spiked hazards and near-miss your way to glory - Pure arcade flow with a satisfying rhythm and momentum - Bite-sized runs that turn into "just one more" Find your rhythm. Chase the light. See how deep you can go.

Screenshots

Dango Derby4 screens
Grapplo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Grapplo at 100% against Dango Derby's 33%. Grapplo also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5). Dango Derby's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Grapplo sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Dango Derby asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Grapplo holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Dango Derby's written reviews are positive against 100% of Grapplo's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dango Derby ships an update every 9 days, Grapplo weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Dango Derby versus Grapplo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDango DerbyGrapplo
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (13 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings13 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size170 MB399 MB
Age rating17+9+
DeveloperCartridge Gaming CompanyNAPHORA GAMES GROUP

Customer experience

Dango Derby

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

Grapplo

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Dango Derby

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Grapplo

One-time6
  • Stars Pack$0.99
  • Gems Pack$1.99
  • PowerUp Pack$2.99
Show 3 more
  • Monster Pack (Halloween)$2.99
  • No Ads$4.99
  • No Ads Offer$4.99

Questions

Is Dango Derby free?
Dango Derby is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Grapplo free?
Grapplo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Dango Derby or Grapplo?
Grapplo is rated higher. Dango Derby averages 4.5 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Grapplo averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Dango Derby or Grapplo have ads?
Grapplo shows ads; Dango Derby does not.
Which is updated more often, Dango Derby or Grapplo?
Dango Derby ships an update every 9 days, and Grapplo weekly. Most recently, Dango Derby was updated on November 5, 2026 and Grapplo on November 6, 2026.

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