# Lanterns vs Barndoku!

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barndoku! at none against Lanterns's 4. Barndoku! also leads on ratings volume (106 vs 9). Lanterns's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and update cadence (daily vs every 3 days). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Lanterns sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Barndoku! asks for nothing beyond the download.

Lanterns holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Barndoku! has 106 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Lanterns ships an update daily, Barndoku! every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Lanterns | Barndoku! |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lanterns-light-up-puzzle/id6802129689/reviews)** | [4.6 (106 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barndoku/id6814928228/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **106** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Daily** | Every 3 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 151 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [10X Ventures LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1477674715) | [Soma AI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1689298201) |

## What reviewers say

### Lanterns

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lanterns-light-up-puzzle/id6802129689)

A logic puzzle game where you place lanterns to illuminate every tile on the board. Solve over 10,000 unique puzzles with a daily challenge and a cozy, ad-free experience.

**Highlights:** Logic deduction puzzles, Over 10,000 unique rooms, Daily timed challenges, No countdown in campaign mode, Optional in-app purchases, Ad-free experience

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pouch of Embers | $1.99 | one-time |
| The Gilded Lantern | $2.99 | one-time |
| Satchel of Embers | $4.99 | one-time |
| Chest of Embers | $9.99 | one-time |


### Barndoku!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barndoku/id6814928228)

This logic puzzle game combines Sudoku-like rules with a charming farm theme. Players place animals in a grid, ensuring no two animals touch, even diagonally. It offers daily challenges, leaderboards, and customizable player faces.

**Highlights:** Sudoku-style grid puzzles, Farm animal theme, Daily challenges and streaks, Leaderboards, Customizable player faces, Hint and reveal system

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Lanterns free?

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

### Is Barndoku! free?

Barndoku! is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Lanterns or Barndoku!?

Lanterns is rated higher. Lanterns averages 5.0 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Barndoku! averages 4.6 from 106 ratings.

### Do Lanterns or Barndoku! have ads?

Both Lanterns and Barndoku! show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Lanterns or Barndoku!?

Lanterns ships an update daily, and Barndoku! every 3 days. Most recently, Lanterns was updated on October 25, 2026 and Barndoku! on October 29, 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.*