# Stick Nodes vs Puppet Time

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Stick Nodes at none against Puppet Time's 15. Stick Nodes also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (15K vs 120). On price, rating, review sentiment and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Puppet Time sells 15 one-off in-app purchases. Stick Nodes asks for nothing beyond the download.

Stick Nodes holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stick Nodes has 15K ratings behind it against 120, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 85% of Stick Nodes's written reviews are positive against 86% of Puppet Time's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Stick Nodes ships an update every 2 weeks, Puppet Time every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Stick Nodes | Puppet Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (15K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stick-nodes-animator/id932127902/reviews)** | [4.4 (120 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/puppet-time/id1512645088/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **15K** | 120 |
| Positive reviews | 84.6% of reviews | **85.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 123 MB | 273 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ForTheLoss Games, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/932127901) | [Jimmy Nguyen](https://appshunter.io/developer/1496101886) |

## What reviewers say

### Stick Nodes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stick-nodes-animator/id932127902)

Create custom stickfigure animations with a user-friendly interface. Import images, add sound effects, and export your creations as GIFs or MP4 videos. Join a vibrant community for inspiration and shared resources.

**Highlights:** Stickfigure animation creation, Image import for animation, Automatic frame-tweening, Camera pan, zoom, and rotate, Movieclips for reusable objects, Sound effects and filters, GIF and MP4 export

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🎨 Great for beginners
- 💡 Customizable stick figures
- 🎥 Smooth animations

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes
- 🐛 Lag issues
- 🐛 Bugs with importing/downloading
- 🐛 Glitches with certain features
- 💰 Pro version paywall

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when downloading stickfigure packs
- Saving/loading issues with animations
- Nodes/limbs getting stuck or glitching
- Unexpected behavior with certain actions

**Requested features**

- Add tutorial/instructions
- Improve save/export options
- Implement account system
- Expand free version features
- Add drawing/shading tools


### Puppet Time

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/puppet-time/id1512645088)

Unleash your creativity with a digital puppetry app. Design unique puppets with extensive customization options, create vibrant backgrounds, and record your own puppet shows with voiceovers and sound effects. Bring your imagination to life through fun and engaging animation.

**Highlights:** Customizable puppet creator, Detailed puppet editing (limbs, body parts), Paint puppets and use photos as stickers, Customizable backgrounds, Record videos with puppets, Record voice and sounds, Create digital puppet shows

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove watermark from video | $0.99 | one-time |
| Wacky Arm Man | $0.99 | one-time |
| Block Puppets | $0.99 | one-time |
| Theater Stage | $0.99 | one-time |
| Bushes | $0.99 | one-time |
| Fruit Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Blobs Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Robot Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pets Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Lounge Room and Kitchen | $1.49 | one-time |
| Silly Animals | $1.49 | one-time |
| Halloween Pack | $1.49 | one-time |
| Remove Ads and Record Limit | $1.99 | one-time |
| School Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Christmas Pack | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun and enjoyable app
- 💡 Creative tool for videos
- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Good customization options
- 👍 Can create own puppets

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Paying for puppets/maps
- ⏳ Limited recording time
- 😠 Ads for time
- 🎤 Microphone issues
- 🎨 Drawing precision issues

**Reported bugs**

- Cannot use microphone after uninstall/reinstall
- Microphone option missing in settings
- App crashes when buying from store
- Store requires internet connection when already connected
- App glitches and won't open (microphone permission issue)

**Requested features**

- Add more puppet slots (2, 6, 8, 10)
- Multiplayer mode
- Custom map editor with interactive things
- Ability to draw/create own items
- Add hair to puppets


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Stick Nodes free?

Stick Nodes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Puppet Time free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Stick Nodes or Puppet Time?

Stick Nodes is rated higher. Stick Nodes averages 4.6 out of 5 from 15K ratings, while Puppet Time averages 4.4 from 120 ratings.

### Do Stick Nodes or Puppet Time have ads?

Puppet Time shows ads; Stick Nodes does not.

### Which is updated more often, Stick Nodes or Puppet Time?

Stick Nodes ships an update every 2 weeks, and Puppet Time every 3 months. Most recently, Stick Nodes was updated on October 29, 2026 and Puppet Time on October 27, 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.*