AR games free to download vs free to play: four kinds of "free"
| Model | What it means in play |
|---|---|
| Free with ads | Adverts between rounds or on demand for rewards |
| Free with in-app purchases | Progress or items sold separately |
| Free trial / subscription | Free for a few days, then a recurring charge |
| Actually free | No ads, no purchases, no subscription |
How to check an AR game free listing
- Scroll the App Store listing to In-App Purchases. None listed is the best sign.
- Check the App Privacy card: ad-supported apps often list tracking data.
- Read recent reviews for "ads", "paywall" and "energy".
- Check the last update date.
The best free AR game to start with
Our pick is our own, so weigh that: Down The Drone is free with no ads and no in-app purchases, and it plays fully offline. It is a first-person AR shooter, so the whole game happens in your room.
Down The Drone is our first-person AR shooter for iPhone: hostile drone swarms are anchored into your real room, and you turn, aim and fire to hold them off. It is free with no ads and no in-app purchases, plays fully offline, and runs on iPhone 6s or later with iOS 13+. Rated 12+.
Other free AR games
For a ranked list of free AR shooters, with what each one charges after install and whether it works offline, see the best free AR shooting games for iPhone. For the subscription route, see Apple Arcade vs free AR games.