# GoQuest vs Surround

The clearest difference is monetization model: GoQuest at free with in-app purchases against Surround's subscription. GoQuest also leads on ratings volume (575 vs 77) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). Surround's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks). On price, rating, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. GoQuest sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per month and Surround sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

GoQuest holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GoQuest has 575 ratings behind it against 77, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 68% of GoQuest's written reviews are positive against 83% of Surround's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

GoQuest ships an update every 6 weeks, Surround fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GoQuest | Surround |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (575 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goquest/id834841918/reviews)** | [4.5 (77 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surround-online-go-client/id1535010544/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **575** | 77 |
| Positive reviews | 68.1% of reviews | **82.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 63 MB | 64 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mindwalk Corp.](https://appshunter.io/developer/834841921) | [Hong Anh Khoa](https://appshunter.io/developer/381809256) |

## What reviewers say

### GoQuest

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goquest/id834841918)

Play the ancient board game of Go online with players worldwide, from beginners to pros. Study live games, challenge friends, and improve your skills with AI-powered Tsumego problems. Offers multiple board sizes for varied gameplay.

**Highlights:** Online Go multiplayer, Play with beginners and bots, Watch live games, Study games, 9x9, 13x13, 19x19 boards, Tsumego Challenge, Play with friends

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Plan | $1.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick matchmaking
- 👍 Convenient for quick games
- 👍 Good for learning and improving
- 👍 Variety of player skill levels
- 👍 Simple and easy to use interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent scoring/results
- 🐛 Matchmaking issues - mismatched opponents
- 🔍 Lack of transparency in ranking/scoring system
- 🔍 Limited customization options (time controls, komi)
- 📢 Intrusive ads

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrect scoring/result determination
- Disconnection issues causing lost games
- Placement issues - stones placed incorrectly
- Bugs with reporting/feedback system

**Requested features**

- Add chat functionality to connect with opponents
- Implement 19x19 board size option
- Provide detailed game history and analysis
- Allow players to add friends and challenge each other
- Improve time controls and add byo-yomi


### Surround

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surround-online-go-client/id1535010544)

Play the ancient strategy game of Go online with a global community. Engage in live or turn-based matches, observe ongoing games, and connect with other players. Receive timely notifications for your games and enjoy a sleek dark mode interface.

**Highlights:** Play live and turn-based Go games, Observe ongoing games, Chat with other players, Home screen widget for correspondence games, Notifications for game turns, Dark mode support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Surround App Supporter | $0.49 | per month |
| Surround App Supporter | $1.99 | per month |
| Surround App Supporter | $4.99 | per month |
| Surround App Supporter | $9.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GoQuest free?

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

### Is Surround free?

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

### Which has better reviews, GoQuest or Surround?

GoQuest is rated higher. GoQuest averages 4.7 out of 5 from 575 ratings, while Surround averages 4.5 from 77 ratings.

### Do GoQuest or Surround have ads?

GoQuest shows ads; Surround does not.

### Which is updated more often, GoQuest or Surround?

GoQuest ships an update every 6 weeks, and Surround fortnightly. Most recently, GoQuest was updated on November 1, 2026 and Surround on November 3, 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.*