# iO vs Mars

The clearest difference is rating: Mars at 4.8 against iO's 3.7. Mars also leads on ratings volume (22K vs 19) and review sentiment (91% vs 71%). iO's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. iO sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Mars sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Mars holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mars has 22K ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of iO's written reviews are positive against 91% of Mars's.

iO ships an update every 6 weeks, Mars monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iO | Mars |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/io-a-physics-platformer/id960831187/reviews) | **[4.8 (22K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mars-mars/id1108964305/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 19 | **22K** |
| Positive reviews | 71.1% of reviews | **90.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 466 MB | 256 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Gamious B.V.](https://appshunter.io/developer/539181337) | [Pomelo Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/899606172) |

## What reviewers say

### iO

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/io-a-physics-platformer/id960831187)

A physics-based platformer where you manipulate size, speed, and momentum to solve over 225 challenging mazes. Features unique gameplay mechanics like portals and inverted gravity, with global leaderboards for competitive play.

**Highlights:** Size, weight, and mass manipulation, Over 225 challenging mazes, Portals and inverted gravity, Global leaderboards, Unlockable achievements, Intuitive touch controls

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove all advertisements | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun and addictive gameplay
- 💡 Challenging puzzles
- 🧠 Good for brain exercise
- ✨ Great design and idea
- 💯 Addictive and engaging

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❌ Unplayable due to ads
- 💸 Paid for ad-free, still shows ads
- 🐛 Game crashes frequently
- 🐞 Buttons cut off on mobile
- 🔇 No audio or sound effects

**Reported bugs**

- Ads not unlocking levels
- Paid ad-free, but ads persist
- Game crashes on startup or during gameplay
- Buttons cut off at screen edges
- Player phasing through walls

**Requested features**

- Fix ad-blocking payment issue
- Improve mobile formatting
- Add audio and sound effects
- Fix ad-related progression blockers
- Address crashing issues


### Mars

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mars-mars/id1108964305)

Embark on a thrilling space adventure as a volunteer on a mission to Mars. Pilot a jetpack to explore the Martian surface, capture unique selfies, and navigate the challenges of interplanetary travel. Prove the doubters wrong and make history on this groundbreaking expedition.

**Highlights:** Explore Mars on a jetpack, Take selfies on Mars, Avoid Rapid Unscheduled Disassemblies, Discover Martian sights, Volunteer for a space mission

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Arnold | $0.99 | one-time |
| Little Martha | $0.99 | one-time |
| Marselot | $0.99 | one-time |
| Nigiri | $0.99 | one-time |
| Ufo | $0.99 | one-time |
| Discman | $0.99 | one-time |
| Kestrel 5 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Eagle | $0.99 | one-time |
| Stephen | $3.99 | one-time |
| El Dorado | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Simple and addictive gameplay
- 👍 Relaxing and calming experience
- 👍 Variety of unique characters with different themes
- 👍 Optional ads that provide rewards
- 👍 Offline playability

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🔁 Repetitive and can get boring over time
- 🔁 Lack of difficulty progression
- 🔁 Duplicate character unlocks can be frustrating

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when taking selfies
- Streak resets when returning to a previous level
- Inconsistent controls and fuel usage

**Requested features**

- Add new planets and environments to explore
- Introduce different gameplay modes (e.g., time trials, challenges)
- Allow players to customize platforms and backgrounds
- Implement a way to revisit previous levels


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iO free?

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

### Is Mars free?

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

### Which has better reviews, iO or Mars?

Mars is rated higher. iO averages 3.7 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Mars averages 4.8 from 22K ratings.

### Do iO or Mars have ads?

Mars shows ads; iO does not.

### Which is updated more often, iO or Mars?

iO ships an update every 6 weeks, and Mars monthly. Most recently, iO was updated on November 1, 2026 and Mars on November 10, 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.*