# Dog Decoder vs Zigzag

The clearest difference is price: Zigzag at Free against Dog Decoder's $3.99. Zigzag also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.4) and update cadence (weekly vs every 20 months). Dog Decoder's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 15) and ads (none vs shown). On review sentiment and device support there is nothing between them.

Zigzag is free to download; Dog Decoder costs $3.99 up front. Zigzag sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. Dog Decoder asks for nothing beyond the download.

Zigzag holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Zigzag has 3.8K ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Dog Decoder's written reviews are positive against 70% of Zigzag's.

Dog Decoder ships an update every 20 months, Zigzag weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dog Decoder | Zigzag |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.4 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dog-decoder/id755998890/reviews) | **[4.8 (3.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zigzag-dog-and-puppy-training/id1550121165/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 24 | **3.8K** |
| Positive reviews | 67.4% of reviews | **70.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 20 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 11 MB | 161 MB |
| Requires iOS | **6.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [jill breitner](https://appshunter.io/developer/755998893) | [PetCare Services Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1612656503) |

## What reviewers say

### Dog Decoder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dog-decoder/id755998890)

Learn to interpret your dog's body language and understand their emotions. This app features illustrated poses with detailed diagrams and contextual information to help you avoid misunderstandings and build a stronger bond with your canine companion.

**Highlights:** Dog body language interpretation, Illustrated dog poses, Diagrams of body signals, Contextual pose descriptions, Interactive quizzes, Understanding dog emotions

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Zigzag

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zigzag-dog-and-puppy-training/id1550121165)

This app offers a science-backed, personalized training program for new dog owners. It provides over 250 video lessons covering essential life skills, basic commands, and problem behaviors. Get 24/7 expert advice and join a supportive community.

**Highlights:** Personalized training program by age and breed, Over 250 video lessons, 24/7 expert dog trainer advice, Potty training guidance, Basic commands and tricks, Puppy care and nutrition advice, Community support

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pup Training: Monthly Plan | $8.99 | per month |
| Pup Training: Monthly Plan | $9.99 | per month |
| 3 Months | $19.99 | per 3 months |
| Puppy Training: Quarterly Plan | $22.99 | per 3 months |
| Pup Training: Annual Plan | $24.99 | per year |
| Annual | $29.99 | per year |
| Puppy Training: Annual Plan | $29.99 | per year |
| Pup Training: Annual Plan | $29.99 | per year |
| Pup Training: Annual Plan | $44.99 | per year |
| Pup Training: Annual Plan | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful training app
- 🚀 Unbelievable support from trainers
- 🤗 Personalized and caring coaches
- 💡 Structured and progressive training
- 📚 Informative and easy-to-follow lessons

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription required for full access
- 🙄 Misleading as 'free' app
- 📧 Excessive notifications and emails
- 🔁 App resets progress and data
- 🤔 Limited breed options

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and freezes
- Login and sync issues across devices

**Requested features**

- Allow multiple dog profiles on one account
- Add more general dog care articles
- Implement weight management program
- Improve search functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dog Decoder free?

Dog Decoder costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Zigzag free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Dog Decoder or Zigzag?

Zigzag is rated higher. Dog Decoder averages 3.4 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Zigzag averages 4.8 from 3.8K ratings.

### Do Dog Decoder or Zigzag have ads?

Zigzag shows ads; Dog Decoder does not.

### Which is updated more often, Dog Decoder or Zigzag?

Dog Decoder ships an update every 20 months, and Zigzag weekly. Most recently, Dog Decoder was updated on September 24, 2026 and Zigzag on September 26, 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.*