Best virtual pet apps for iPhone
The best virtual pet app depends on how you want to play. My Tamagotchi Forever is the classic care game. Pokipet adds puzzles and a shared pet. Pixel Pals and Widgetable live on your screens. Musse Buddy ties a pet to a real to-do helper. This guide compares them as of October 2026.
Coming soon to iPhone
Which virtual pet app should you pick?
For the Tamagotchi routine, My Tamagotchi Forever. For a puzzle game with a cat or dog, Pokipet. For pixel pets on your Home Screen, Pixel Pals. For a shared pet with a friend or partner, Widgetable. For a pet that is fed by finishing real tasks, Musse Buddy.
Competitor facts were checked on October 10, 2026 against the US App Store listings. Apps change, so verify before you commit. Musse Buddy is made by the publisher of this site, is in TestFlight and is not on the App Store yet.
Virtual pet apps at a glance
| App | Best for | Price model | US rating (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Musse Buddy | A pet fed by real tasks, with an AI helper | Not on the App Store yet (TestFlight). Free tier and Buddy+ subscription | New, no rating |
| My Tamagotchi Forever | Classic feed, wash and play care | Free download | 4.6 from about 28,400 ratings |
| Pokipet | Cat or dog, puzzles, group pet | Free download | 4.6 from about 12,700 ratings |
| Pixel Pals | Pixel pets on Home and Lock Screen | Free download | 4.6 from about 37,000 ratings |
| Widgetable | Widgets and pets shared with friends | Free download | 4.9 from about 386,300 ratings |
Musse Buddy: a pet with a job
Your buddy has food, energy and joy bars and a bond level. Each finished mission earns one treat, so the pet is fed by real reminders, texts and plans. It never dies or gets sick. The worst outcome is a sulky mood after you were away. Six originals and layered outfits are covered in characters and wardrobe and pet care.
Limits: it is not a game with levels or mini games, and it is in TestFlight.
The other four
My Tamagotchi Forever is the first free-to-play Tamagotchi game per its listing: feed, wash and clean up, play mini games and watch characters evolve. Pokipet lets you adopt a cat or dog, play 3D match puzzles and keep a group pet. Pixel Pals is a customization app for Home Screen, Lock Screen and Live Activities, with pixel-art animals. Widgetable lists co-parenting pets with friends and a set of shared widgets.
Why does the pet-and-task idea matter?
Most pet apps ask you to open them to play. Buddy asks you to do something you needed to do anyway, then rewards it. Read more in our guide to a virtual pet app for iPhone.
Sources, checked October 10, 2026: My Tamagotchi Forever, Pokipet, Pixel Pals, Widgetable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best virtual pet app for iPhone?
My Tamagotchi Forever is the classic. Widgetable has the highest rating of the group. Musse Buddy is different because its pet is tied to real tasks, and it is in TestFlight.
Can the pet die in Musse Buddy?
No. It never dies and never gets sick. The worst state is sulky because you were away.
Do I need to pay for a pet app?
All five list a free download in the US App Store. Musse Buddy has a free tier with three characters and a Buddy+ subscription for all six.
Which pet apps have widgets?
Pixel Pals and Widgetable are built around widgets, and Musse Buddy offers Lock Screen and Home Screen widgets and a Live Activity.
Keep exploring
Virtual Pet Apps for iPhoneWhat a virtual pet is, where it came from and a checklist for picking a good one on iPhone.Pet Care in Musse BuddyFood, energy, joy and bond. Treats come from real tasks, and nothing ever dies.
Widgets, Live Activity and Charm Mode for Musse BuddyLock Screen, Home Screen, Control Center, Live Activity and Charm mode.Musse Buddy PricingFree: 10 missions, 3 characters. Buddy+: unlimited missions, all 6 characters, monthly or yearly.