# Needle in a haystack vs The Needle in the Haystack

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: The Needle in the Haystack at none against Needle in a haystack's 2. The Needle in the Haystack also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 6 days). Needle in a haystack's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Needle in a haystack sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. The Needle in the Haystack asks for nothing beyond the download.

Needle in a haystack ships an update every 6 days, The Needle in the Haystack every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 12, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Needle in a haystack | The Needle in the Haystack |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 days | **Every 2 days** |
| Size | 165 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Synthify Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1089257745) | [Alessandro Brning](https://appshunter.io/developer/6787298701) |

## What reviewers say

### Needle in a haystack

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/needle-in-a-haystack/id6804802643)

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No Ads | $3.99 | one-time |
| Magnet | $9.99 | one-time |


### The Needle in the Haystack

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-needle-in-the-haystack/id6806463803)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Needle in a haystack free?

Needle in a haystack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is The Needle in the Haystack free?

The Needle in the Haystack is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Needle in a haystack or The Needle in the Haystack have ads?

Both Needle in a haystack and The Needle in the Haystack show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Needle in a haystack or The Needle in the Haystack?

Needle in a haystack ships an update every 6 days, and The Needle in the Haystack every 2 days. Most recently, Needle in a haystack was updated on October 12, 2026 and The Needle in the Haystack on October 12, 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.*