20+ iOS apps & games curated and reviewed
Upland is the household name in persistent world, but it's far from the only option. We track 20+ alternatives and competitors on iOS — many free, many higher-rated than you'd expect.
| # | App | Price | Rating | Ads | In-App Purchases | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Free | 4.1★ (4.9K) | No | Yes | Aug 2026 |
| 2 |  | Free | 4.6★ (1.3K) | Yes | Yes | Aug 2026 |
| 3 |  | Free | 4.3★ (76) | No | No | May 2026 |
| 4 |  | Free | 4.6★ (1.3K) | Yes | Yes | Aug 2026 |
| 5 |  | Free | 4.7★ (403) | No | Yes | Aug 2026 |
| 6 |  | Free | 4.6★ (1.4K) | Yes | Yes | Aug 2026 |
| 7 |  | Free | 4.0★ (41) | Yes | Yes | Aug 2026 |
| 8 |  | Free | 5.0★ (5) | No | Yes | Aug 2026 |
Build and manage cities on a persistent, real-world map. Trade virtual properties, design lasting structures, and shape neighborhoods in a player-driven economy. Your progress never resets, and digital assets can be sold for real-world value.
Design and customize your own version of Earth, from redrawing borders to renaming regions. This offline sandbox allows you to create fantasy empires or simulate alternate histories with detailed control over maps, flags, and even 3D globe exploration.
This fan-made interactive map helps players navigate the world of Aeternum. It displays the locations of resources, mobs, and chests, with features like marker clustering and quick zoom. The app uses local assets and fetches up-to-date information each time it's opened.
Explore a dangerous island, gather resources, and craft to survive against infected enemies and hostile factions. Build a fortified base, complete quests, and uncover the mystery of an outbreak. Adapt to a harsh, unpredictable world where every decision counts.
Engage in a Lovecraftian deck-building roguelite set in a dying world. Assemble a team of humanoid weapons and strategize through challenging levels to uncover hidden truths and fight against a cosmic disaster. Your choices matter in this grand, multi-chapter narrative.
Enhance your Toca Life World gameplay with guides and ideas. Discover hidden secrets, locate items, and explore new room designs to customize your virtual spaces and inspire your next adventure.
Embark on a mysterious adventure in a desolate land filled with strange sounds and abandoned structures. Uncover the secrets of this world as you progress through the main story, utilizing autoplay features for leveling and material collection. Build a stronger party by crafting weapons and armor from gathered resources.
This app transforms your walks into an adventure by revealing a "misty" world as you explore. Leave and discover hidden messages at specific locations, connecting with others through shared experiences and stories.
Create and explore interactive game worlds using AI by simply describing your vision. Populate these worlds with unique AI-driven characters and customize every aspect with in-depth editing tools. Share your creations with a global community and discover endless adventures.
Create and deploy persistent augmented reality worlds without coding. This platform allows for real-time, geolocated AR experiences, enabling immersive storytelling and interactive engagement with physical spaces. Design and share your creations seamlessly.
Lead animal companions to build and expand a shelter in a post-human world facing resource scarcity and environmental challenges. Recruit diverse animal partners, strategize survival, battle threats, and form alliances to rise as a ruler.
This application allows users to collaboratively build immersive worlds in real-time. It offers hyper-personalized experiences tailored to individual preferences.
Explore diverse, imaginative worlds blooming within flower petals. Generate breathtaking, theme-driven imagery from seven distinct visual realms, each a unique blend of nature and imagination. Discover portals to wonder, serenity, or abstract emotions.
