MARLVEL

Board Game Buddy vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against Board Game Buddy's closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

Board Game Buddy
This App
Farkle Scorekeeper
Nemesis
Garphill Games Companion
Contender
VoxParty: Sesli Tabu Okey
Peer
Ticket to Ride® Companion
Peer
Set
Peer
Boardspace.net
Peer
Gloomhaven Scenario Viewer
Peer
Checkers for Apple Watch
Peer
Russian Checkers!
Peer
Core Identity
DeveloperAndrew MorrisonNieStudio Creative LLCGarphill Games LimitedThor Teknoloji Dis Ticaret Ltd StiMarmalade Game StudiopnlkcDave DyerRoy GoncalvesUAB Target WorksUAB Target Works
CategoryGamesGamesGamesBoardBoardCardGamesGamesGamesGames
PlatformAndroid, iOSiOS, AndroidiOSAndroidAndroid, iOSiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidiOSiOS
Store Metrics
Rating5.0 / 54.8 / 53.7 / 53.9 / 52.6 / 54.5 / 53.4 / 54.7 / 54.2 / 54.5 / 5
Ratings Count22,34361,1226732187098112
PriceFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFree
Release DateFeb 29, 2024Dec 6, 2018Aug 25, 2020Apr 28, 2020Oct 31, 2024Apr 6, 2020Mar 14, 2016Nov 7, 2017Apr 26, 2015Feb 25, 2012
Last UpdatedApr 18, 2026Aug 10, 2023May 13, 2025May 19, 2026May 13, 2026Feb 14, 2026May 8, 2026Feb 19, 2020Oct 4, 2016Jan 2, 2024
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentimentpositivemixed--negative-mixedpositive--
Score75/10065/100--35/100-65/10085/100--
Praises
  • Digital scoresheets replace paper logs and simplify tracking for various board games
  • Simplified scorekeeping mechanics remove the need for manual math during casual game nights
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  • Local couch play functionality allows families to play together using individual mobile devices as controllers
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Complaints
  • Permission errors prevent data saving and app functionality on newer Android devices
  • Frequent application crashes during gameplay sessions cause significant loss of progress
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  • Frequent connection failures between the companion app and the host console prevent players from joining games
  • Game state instability and freezing during active turns force players to abandon matches prematurely
  • Lack of persistent user profiles causes character and train customization to reset after every single match
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Requests
  • Expansion of the game template database to include more specific board game titles
  • Manual score editing and turn management features to handle real-world game scenarios
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  • Implementation of an undo button to prevent accidental train placement caused by minor physical handling errors
  • Integration of rule documentation within the companion app to allow mid-game reference without exiting
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Strategic Intel
Strengths
  • Custom scoresheet templates drive user-generated content
  • External hobbyist platform integrations act as acquisition channels
  • Specialized scoring logic for Farkle variants
  • Wireless 10-key hardware integration
  • Persistent player directory for historical tracking
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  • Cross-platform utility layer increases value of core game purchase
  • Private hand management solves specific local multiplayer friction
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  • Ad-free, non-commercial environment sustains a dedicated, purist user base
  • 100+ game library provides deep content variety
  • Ad-free, distraction-free interface sustains high user satisfaction
  • Specialized scenario-masking mechanism provides a clear utility moat
  • Wearable-first utility provides a distraction-free experience on Apple Watch.
  • Adherence to multiple standardized rulesets ensures broad appeal for traditionalists.
  • Rule-accurate Russian Draughts gameplay
  • 8-level adaptive AI engine
  • Distraction-free user experience
Weaknesses
  • Android permission errors block core saving functionality
  • Total review count below 60 limits social proof
  • Lacks a formal player directory for recurring groups
  • Frequent crashes causing data loss
  • Aggressive ad-gating for free users
  • Lack of feature parity between Android and iOS
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  • Persistent lobby connection failures reported in reviews
  • Lack of persistent user profiles forces repetitive setup
  • 2.87-star rating reflects high-frequency technical instability
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  • 0.52 rating gap between iOS and Android platforms
  • Interface lacks tablet-optimized responsiveness
  • No multi-device synchronization
  • Development stalled since 2023
  • Lacks campaign-wide state tracking
  • Zero monetization mechanism limits ongoing development capacity.
  • Lack of online multiplayer restricts the game to local or solo play.
  • Ad-supported model lacks premium-tier revenue
  • No meta-progression or seasonal content
  • Small review volume of 112 ratings
Pricingfreefreemiumfreefreefreefreemiumfreefreefreefree
MomentumMaintenanceZombie--MaintenanceSteadyMaintenanceZombie--
Update Cadence2 versions, 2 majors/6mo, ~7d avg2 versions, 2 majors/6mo, ~263d avg--5 versions, ~38d avg5 versions2 versions, ~1d avg2 versions, ~1325d avg--

Compare Board Game Buddy head-to-head

Disclosure: Independent intel to help mobile builders succeed.

AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Board Game Buddy, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

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