# Pixel Islet vs Dotling

The clearest difference is ads: Dotling at none against Pixel Islet's shown. On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pixel Islet sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Dotling sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Pixel Islet ships an update every 10 days, Dotling every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pixel Islet | Dotling |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dotling-retro-virtual-pet/id6802696539/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **1** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Size | 58 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.2** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sho Iwasaki](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896559280) | [DIJITAL PILOT REKLAM SANAYI TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1881304693) |

## What reviewers say

### Pixel Islet

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixel-islet/id6801587711)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $5.99 | one-time |


### Dotling

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dotling-retro-virtual-pet/id6802696539)

Experience a digital pet that mimics the feel of 90s keychain toys with a dot-matrix LCD display. Care for your evolving pixel friend, play mini-games, and keep it close with home and lock screen widgets. Enjoy a realistic simulation with a focus on nurturing and lineage.

**Highlights:** Dot-matrix LCD display, Evolving virtual pet, Interactive mini-games, Home and lock screen widgets, Vacation mode, Generational lineage system

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dotling Premium | $5.99 | per month |
| Dotling Premium | $24.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pixel Islet free?

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

### Is Dotling free?

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

### Do Pixel Islet or Dotling have ads?

Pixel Islet shows ads; Dotling does not.

### Which is updated more often, Pixel Islet or Dotling?

Pixel Islet ships an update every 10 days, and Dotling every 5 days. Most recently, Pixel Islet was updated on October 24, 2026 and Dotling 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.*