# Runes vs MasterDex

The clearest difference is review sentiment: MasterDex at 87% against Runes's 15%. MasterDex also leads on rating (4.8 vs 1.3) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 11 months). Runes's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. MasterDex sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Runes asks for nothing beyond the download.

MasterDex holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 1.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MasterDex has 1.8K ratings behind it against 35, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 15% of Runes's written reviews are positive against 87% of MasterDex's.

Runes ships an update every 11 months, MasterDex every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Runes | MasterDex |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.3 (35 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runes-elvish-translator/id935889702/reviews) | **[4.8 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/masterdex-complete-guide/id1621464261/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 35 | **1.8K** |
| Positive reviews | 14.9% of reviews | **86.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 9 MB | 196 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [David Sanchez Arroyo](https://appshunter.io/developer/802105937) | [Lorenzo Greco](https://appshunter.io/developer/480768196) |

## What reviewers say

### Runes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runes-elvish-translator/id935889702)

Translate names, words, or phrases into Elvish, Dwarvish, or Middle-earth languages. Save your translations as images, assign them to contacts, or share them across social media and messaging apps.

**Highlights:** Translate Elvish, Dwarvish, Middle-earth languages, Translate names, words, and phrases, Save translations as images, Assign translations to contacts, Share translations on social media, Instant messaging sharing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### MasterDex

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/masterdex-complete-guide/id1621464261)

This app serves as a comprehensive guide for fans and trainers, offering detailed information on creatures, team building, and the trading card game. It features offline access, advanced search, and tracking for favorite creatures and shinies, updated for the latest generation.

**Highlights:** Updated creature information, Team builder tool, Trading Card Game details, Offline functionality, Shiny creature tracker, Advanced search filters

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Masteredex - Sale | $1.99 | one-time |
| Masterdex PRO | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fantastic app
- 👍 Great Pokédex
- 🔒 No ads
- 💡 One-time purchase
- 👍 Aesthetically pleasing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashing and slow loading
- 🐛 Bugs with team builder
- 🐛 Missing Pokémon forms and gender differences
- 🐛 Incorrect or outdated information
- 💡 Lack of Pokémon location filters

**Reported bugs**

- Shiny toggle not working in team builder
- Pokémon 3D models and artwork not displaying
- Johto region locations missing
- Crashes when adding Pokémon to teams
- Incorrect information for some Pokémon (e.g., Necrozma's ability, Pikachu's classification)

**Requested features**

- Add Pokémon location filters
- Implement ability to mark Pokémon as caught/seen
- Add damage calculator
- Allow reorganizing of teams
- Include Pokémon cries and Dynamax/Gigantamax forms


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Runes free?

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

### Is MasterDex free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Runes or MasterDex?

MasterDex is rated higher. Runes averages 1.3 out of 5 from 35 ratings, while MasterDex averages 4.8 from 1.8K ratings.

### Do Runes or MasterDex have ads?

MasterDex shows ads; Runes does not.

### Which is updated more often, Runes or MasterDex?

Runes ships an update every 11 months, and MasterDex every 3 weeks. Most recently, Runes was updated on November 6, 2026 and MasterDex on November 7, 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.*