Comparison

Strong Mind Mazes vs Hole Cat

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Strong Mind Mazes

This app offers clinical-grade brain training exercises designed to enhance cognitive functions like concentration, working memory, and problem-solving. It features progressive difficulty levels and over a million maze variations, built on decades of cognitive neuroscience research.

Highlights
  • Cognitive neuroscience-based training
  • Enhances concentration and attention
  • Improves working memory
  • Develops multi-variable problem solving
  • Hierarchical difficulty levels
  • Over 1 million maze variations
Features
Read full description

Clinical-grade brain training built on 40 years of cognitive neuroscience. Used by Dr. Donalee Markus with concussion and traumatic brain injury patients, NASA scientists, and corporate executives since 2003. Strong Mind Mazes is not a casual puzzle game. It is a hierarchical cognitive-restructuring exercise designed to engage neuroplasticity through deliberate, progressive challenge. The same approach featured in Clark Elliott's "The Ghost in My Brain." WHAT IT TRAINS • Concentration and sustained attention • Working memory and mental manipulation • Multi-variable problem solving • Reduced impulsivity through deliberate planning • Carryover skills that translate to daily life THE PROGRAM • 5 hierarchical difficulty levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Accelerated, Advanced, and Expert • Over 1,000,000 maze variations for ample rehearsal • A wide palette of colors, patterns, and graphics that promote engagement without overstimulation WHO IT'S FOR • Concussion and post-concussion recovery • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation • Stroke recovery • Adults seeking cognitive maintenance and resilience • Executives, professionals, and athletes wanting a sharper edge • Used by clinicians as an adjunct to standard rehabilitation THE SCIENCE Effective problem-solving and decision-making are based, at least in part, on the number of variables a problem solver can evaluate at once. With deliberate rehearsal, individuals can learn to increase that number — reducing impulsivity and developing the mental filter that supports planning before acting. This is built on a neurocognitive model emphasizing Attention, Intention, and Rehearsal — three pillars drawn from Dr. Markus's clinical practice and from her post-doctoral training under Reuven Feuerstein, the father of teachable intelligence. ABOUT THE DEVELOPER Dr. Donalee Markus earned her Ph.D. at Northwestern University in 1983 and has been in clinical practice in cognitive restructuring ever since. Her work has been featured in Psychology Today, in Clark Elliott's book "The Ghost in My Brain," and in peer-reviewed publication in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America. Institutional clients include NASA, the U.S. Federal Court System, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Encyclopaedia Britannica.

About

Hole Cat

A delightful puzzle game where you guide colorful cats to matching holes by tapping to clear paths. It offers a relaxing yet challenging experience with evolving color-matching mechanics and strategic planning.

Highlights
  • Color-matching puzzle mechanics
  • Strategic path clearing
  • Cute cat visuals
  • Relaxing gameplay
  • Evolving difficulty
  • Time-pressure elements
Features
Read full description

Hole Cat: A Fun Casual Puzzle Game Adventure Welcome to Hole Cat! A bright, colorful, and delightfully clever puzzle game where adorable cats and satisfying logic challenges come together. Relax at your own pace or sharpen your mind with quick, strategic puzzles—Hole Cat offers both comfort and brain-teasing fun. Game Overview Tap a hole to call in cats of the matching color. Simple… at first. If paths are blocked, even the right-colored cat can’t reach its hole. You’ll need to plan ahead, clear the way, and choose the correct order to succeed. Key Features Easy-to-learn mechanics with surprisingly deep strategy Cute cat visuals and colorful stages for a relaxing puzzle experience Time-pressure elements for added challenge Color-matching rules that evolve and grow more complex Perfect for fans of both casual and logic puzzle games How to Play Each stage presents a new layout and color puzzle Tap a hole to make cats of the same color dash toward it Clear blocking cats so matching ones can reach their destination Think ahead, tap in the right order, and avoid locking yourself out Enjoy quick, satisfying gameplay anytime you want Game Objectives Guide each cat into the correct-colored hole Choose the right sequence of taps to prevent blockage Clear the front line to open safe paths for matching cats Solve each stage strategically, without stress or pressure Relax while giving your brain a gentle workout Why Hole Cat Stands Out Hole Cat isn’t just another casual puzzle—it’s a uniquely satisfying mix of color matching, path logic, and smart timing. Every stage brings a fresh challenge, sharpening your thinking while keeping gameplay light and enjoyable. Perfect for both beginners and puzzle experts. A Puzzle for Everyone Accessible and enjoyable for all ages Ideal for casual players and strategic thinkers alike Great for relaxing moments, commutes, or short breaks Simple controls, colorful visuals, and rewarding stage progression Download Now Players worldwide are falling in love with Hole Cat. A charming color-matching puzzle, a smart logic challenge, and a calming casual game—all in one adorable package. Start your colorful, clever, and endlessly fun puzzle adventure today. More Reasons to Love Hole Cat Tired of noisy, pay-to-win games? Hole Cat focuses on pure puzzle satisfaction—no distractions, no pressure. Each stage feels like a mini brain-teaser as you plan your moves and watch the chain reactions unfold. Perfect for short sessions during commutes, waiting in line, or winding down at home. Evolving Difficulty, Never Boring The game begins with easy stages to teach the basics, then gradually introduces tighter paths, trickier blockers, and complex layouts. Whether you play for a few minutes or a longer session, every moment feels rewarding, refreshing, and fun. Tap, think, and enjoy the satisfying moment when everything clicks—just you, the cats, and the holes.

Screenshots

Strong Mind Mazes4 screens
Hole Cat4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Hole Cat at Free against Strong Mind Mazes's $29.99. Hole Cat also leads on rating (4.6 vs 2.3) and update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). Strong Mind Mazes's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Hole Cat is free to download; Strong Mind Mazes costs $29.99 up front. Hole Cat sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Strong Mind Mazes asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Hole Cat holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hole Cat has 260 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Strong Mind Mazes's written reviews are positive against 13% of Hole Cat's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Strong Mind Mazes ships an update every 2 months, Hole Cat weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Strong Mind Mazes versus Hole Cat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStrong Mind MazesHole Cat
Price$29.99Free — better
Rating2.3 (3 ratings)4.6 (260 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews12.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3260 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB357 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDonalee MarkusACTIONFIT

Customer experience

Strong Mind Mazes

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Hole Cat

All ratings241 ratings
Positive91.3%
Neutral2.9%
Negative5.8%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive12.5%
Neutral25.0%
Negative62.5%

In-app purchases

None

Strong Mind Mazes

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Hole Cat

One-time10
  • Starter Bundle$1.49
  • 1,000 Coins$1.99
  • Fail Offer$4.99
Show 7 more
  • 5,000 Coins$7.99
  • No Ads$7.99
  • Fail Offer 02$8.99
  • Small Bundle$9.99
  • Golden Ticket$10.99
  • No Ads Bundle$11.99
  • Medium Bundle$19.99

Questions

Is Strong Mind Mazes free?
Strong Mind Mazes costs $29.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hole Cat free?
Hole Cat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Strong Mind Mazes or Hole Cat?
Hole Cat is rated higher. Strong Mind Mazes averages 2.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Hole Cat averages 4.6 from 260 ratings.
Do Strong Mind Mazes or Hole Cat have ads?
Neither Strong Mind Mazes nor Hole Cat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Strong Mind Mazes or Hole Cat?
Strong Mind Mazes ships an update every 2 months, and Hole Cat weekly. Most recently, Strong Mind Mazes was updated on November 2, 2026 and Hole Cat on November 9, 2026.

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