# Blackbox vs Skyhook

The clearest difference is ads: Blackbox at none against Skyhook's shown. Blackbox also leads on ratings volume (110K vs 1) and chart position (#40 vs unranked). Skyhook's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 9 days) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Skyhook holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Blackbox has 110K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Blackbox ships an update every 9 days, Skyhook every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Blackbox | Skyhook |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (110K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackbox/id962969578/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skyhook-orbital-arcade/id6814910360/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **110K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 92.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#40** | — |
| Size | 209 MB | 81 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | +4 | 9+ |
| Developer | [Shapes and Stories LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/962969577) | [Bo Jacobson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1882557762) |

## What reviewers say

### Blackbox

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

**Currently charting:** #40 Top Free · Trivia, #76 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


### Skyhook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skyhook-orbital-arcade/id6814910360)

A space arcade game focused on precise timing and momentum. Launch, catch rotating hooks, and navigate through cosmic obstacles to reach distant planets. Collect stardust and earn new ships as you master handcrafted levels.

**Highlights:** Handcrafted levels across three worlds, Rotating skyhooks and shifting destinations, Stardust collection for rewards, Unlockable ships with special abilities, Offline gameplay, Adjustable music and sound effects

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Blackbox free?

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

### Is Skyhook free?

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

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

Skyhook is rated higher. Blackbox averages 4.8 out of 5 from 110K ratings, while Skyhook averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Blackbox or Skyhook have ads?

Skyhook shows ads; Blackbox does not.

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

Blackbox ships an update every 9 days, and Skyhook every 3 days. Most recently, Blackbox was updated on November 6, 2026 and Skyhook on October 31, 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.*