# Blackbox vs Automatoys

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Blackbox at 93% against Automatoys's 53%. Blackbox also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 4 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Blackbox sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Automatoys sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Blackbox holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Blackbox has 109K ratings behind it against 7.9K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 93% of Blackbox's written reviews are positive against 53% of Automatoys's.

Blackbox ships an update every 9 days, Automatoys every 4 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Blackbox | Automatoys |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (109K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackbox/id962969578/reviews)** | [4.5 (7.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/automatoys/id1580281448/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **109K** | 7.9K |
| Positive reviews | **92.6% of reviews** | 52.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 4 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#27** | — |
| Size | 209 MB | 176 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Shapes and Stories LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/962969577) | [Idle Friday](https://appshunter.io/developer/1500258283) |

## What reviewers say

### Blackbox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackbox/id962969578)

**Currently charting:** #27 Top Free · Trivia, #82 Top Grossing · Trivia (US App Store)

This puzzle game challenges you to solve intricate problems without touching the screen. It utilizes minimalistic visual cues, sonic interfaces, and haptic feedback to guide you through unique challenges that require thinking outside the box. Discover a new way to interact with your device and prove your cleverness.

**Highlights:** Touchless gameplay, Minimalistic visual clues, Sonic interfaces, Haptic feedback, External puzzle solving, Easter eggs

**Features:** Family Sharing, iMessage stickers

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tiny Hint Pack | $1.19 | one-time |
| Small Hint Pack | $2.39 | one-time |
| Erudite Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Push Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Coffee for Ryan | $4.49 | one-time |
| Basic Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Medium Hint Pack | $5.00 | one-time |
| All Knowing Pack | $7.99 | one-time |
| Large Hint Pack | $10.00 | one-time |
| Extra Large Hint Pack | $20.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Unique and creative gameplay
- 🤔 Challenges users to think outside the box
- 😄 Humorous and witty comments
- 🔑 Utilizes phone features in innovative ways

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤯 Extremely challenging puzzles
- 💰 Expensive for additional content
- 🤖 Concerns about app accessing device permissions
- 🚗 Puzzles requiring travel/location are inaccessible for some

**Reported bugs**

- Hints not working as expected
- Progress reset after app update

**Requested features**

- Add ability to earn hint credits through watching ads
- Include more free puzzles
- Improve accessibility for users with limited mobility
- Provide better guidance and instructions for puzzles


### Automatoys

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/automatoys/id1580281448)

Guide a ball through intricate mechanical obstacle courses by tapping, turning, and tilting. Outpace the clock to achieve high scores and earn accolades for speed. Experience unique, tactile puzzles with a focus on precise control.

**Highlights:** Tap, turn, tilt, and spin controls, Unique mechanical obstacle courses, Timed challenges to beat scores, One-touch controls, No ads

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gift a coffee | $2.99 | one-time |
| Operator Key | $2.99 | one-time |
| Gift a pizza | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💎 One of the best mobile games
- 🎨 Beautiful and aesthetically pleasing
- 🕹️ Intuitive and satisfying controls
- 🎶 Calming and relaxing music
- 🧠 Challenging and engaging puzzles

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Paywall after 3 free levels
- 🔒 Limited free content
- 🕰️ Some levels too difficult or require too much trial and error

**Reported bugs**

- Levels not saving star ratings
- Certain level elements not functioning properly

**Requested features**

- More free levels
- Level editor or custom level creation
- Ability to replay levels to improve star ratings


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Blackbox free?

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

### Is Automatoys free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Blackbox or Automatoys?

Blackbox is rated higher. Blackbox averages 4.8 out of 5 from 109K ratings, while Automatoys averages 4.5 from 7.9K ratings.

### Do Blackbox or Automatoys have ads?

Neither Blackbox nor Automatoys shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Blackbox or Automatoys?

Blackbox ships an update every 9 days, and Automatoys every 4 weeks. Most recently, Blackbox was updated on September 24, 2026 and Automatoys on September 24, 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.*