# PathPix Max vs Backlash

The clearest difference is price: Backlash at Free against PathPix Max's $3.99. Backlash also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 17 months). PathPix Max's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (105 vs 1). On rating, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Backlash is free to download; PathPix Max costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for PathPix Max against 5.0 for Backlash. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PathPix Max has 105 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

PathPix Max ships an update every 17 months, Backlash every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PathPix Max | Backlash |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.9 (105 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pathpix-max/id1010014287/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backlash-a-gear-puzzle-game/id6790038474/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **105** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 98.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 17 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 10 MB | 125 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kris Pixton](https://appshunter.io/developer/314306152) | [Illmanajed Games LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/6780737996) |

## What reviewers say

### PathPix Max

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pathpix-max/id1010014287)

This app offers extremely large and challenging logic puzzles for experienced players. Solve over a million squares across 102 giant puzzles, including a special art section. Features varying difficulty levels and rewarding images or quotes upon completion.

**Highlights:** 102 GIANT-sized puzzles, Special Art section with 12 masterpieces, Over 1 million squares of puzzling, Easy, Medium, and Hard areas, Check button to remove incorrect paths, Puzzles range from 7360 to 15,540 squares

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Addictive gameplay
- 💡 Huge puzzles
- 💰 Great value for money
- 🎨 Beautiful artwork and pictures
- 😌 Relaxing and stress-relieving

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤔 Can be frustrating when errors compound
- 🎨 Some puzzles are monochromatic/drab
- 🤏 Awkward extreme binary zooming
- 🐛 Crashing multiple times a day (older review)
- 🤔 Puzzles are bigger, not necessarily harder (for some)

**Reported bugs**

- Crashing multiple times a day

**Requested features**

- Gigantic versions of puzzles (1000+ x 1000+)
- More colorful puzzles
- A whole game based on famous artwork
- Soundtrack
- Show completion time for each solved puzzle


### Backlash

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backlash-a-gear-puzzle-game/id6790038474)

Build a complex automaton, gear by gear, to repair a dying city's steam engine. Solve intricate mechanical puzzles by understanding gear geometry and mechanics. Experience a story-driven campaign with endless replayability and challenging new modes.

**Highlights:** Build one continuous machine across chapters, Assemble four distinct automaton systems, Solve puzzles by reading machine mechanics, Utilize shafts, belts, and couplers, Unlock New Game+ and Endless modes, Earn dozens of in-app achievements

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PathPix Max free?

PathPix Max costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Backlash free?

Backlash is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, PathPix Max or Backlash?

Backlash is rated higher. PathPix Max averages 4.9 out of 5 from 105 ratings, while Backlash averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do PathPix Max or Backlash have ads?

Backlash shows ads; PathPix Max does not.

### Which is updated more often, PathPix Max or Backlash?

PathPix Max ships an update every 17 months, and Backlash every 4 weeks. Most recently, PathPix Max was updated on October 29, 2026 and Backlash on October 25, 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.*