# Dotling vs Hermit Crab Simulator

Dotling and Hermit Crab Simulator are too close to call on the numbers: across 8 compared parameters — price, rating, ratings volume and ads among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Both are free to download. Dotling sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Hermit Crab Simulator sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Dotling against 5.0 for Hermit Crab Simulator. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dotling | Hermit Crab Simulator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dotling-retro-virtual-pet/id6802696539/reviews) | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hermit-crab-simulator/id6812599378/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **2** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days | — |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 9 MB | 112 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [DIJITAL PILOT REKLAM SANAYI TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1881304693) | [WYATT WAYNE KELLER](https://appshunter.io/developer/6811644441) |

## What reviewers say

### 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 |


### Hermit Crab Simulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hermit-crab-simulator/id6812599378)

Create a tropical sanctuary for a virtual hermit crab. Collect shells, decorate habitats, and care for your companion. Enjoy a peaceful, ad-free experience with no subscriptions.

**Highlights:** Collect 44 unique shell designs, Decorate 12 environments with 29 items, Care for your hermit crab (feeding, misting, cleaning), Unlock up to five habitats, Earn daily rewards and save photos, Optional iCloud backup

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tiny Coin Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Small Coin Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Medium Coin Pack | $7.99 | one-time |
| Large Coin Pack | $12.99 | one-time |
| Premium Coin Pack | $29.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dotling free?

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

### Is Hermit Crab Simulator free?

Hermit Crab Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Dotling or Hermit Crab Simulator?

Dotling and Hermit Crab Simulator are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 2 ratings respectively.

### Do Dotling or Hermit Crab Simulator have ads?

Neither Dotling nor Hermit Crab Simulator shows ads.

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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.*