# Flow Free vs the number bubble

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: the number bubble at none against Flow Free's 10. the number bubble also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 5 months). Flow Free's advantage is ratings volume (10K vs 3) and device support (3 vs 1). On price there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Flow Free sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. the number bubble asks for nothing beyond the download.

the number bubble holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Flow Free has 10K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Flow Free ships an update every 5 months, the number bubble every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Flow Free | the number bubble |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (10K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flow-free-hexes/id1145541321/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-number-bubble/id6782946766/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **10K** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 83.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 77 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Big Duck Games LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/435664937) | [Nuri Bruner](https://appshunter.io/developer/6782946769) |

## What reviewers say

### Flow Free

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flow-free-hexes/id1145541321)

Connect matching colored pipes on a hexagonal grid to create a flow. Solve puzzles by pairing all colors and covering the entire board without pipes crossing. Offers hundreds of levels and daily challenges for a relaxing or timed experience.

**Highlights:** Hexagonal grid puzzles, Connect matching colors, Hundreds of free levels, Daily puzzles, Time Trial mode, Game Center achievements, Cloud sync

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 5 Hints | $0.99 | one-time |
| Unlock All Themes | $1.99 | one-time |
| Classic Pack 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| 10x10 Mania | $1.99 | one-time |
| Jumbo Pack 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Kids Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Starter Bundle | $1.99 | one-time |
| 20 Hints | $2.99 | one-time |
| Unlock All Packs and Remove Ads | $4.99 | one-time |
| 100 Hints | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Addictive and challenging puzzles
- 👍 Relaxing and calming gameplay
- 🎨 Visually appealing and smooth animations
- 💪 Keeps the mind active and sharp

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Repetitive patterns in later levels
- 🔍 Lack of difficulty progression
- 🔍 Placement of UI elements could be improved
- 🔍 Excessive ads can disrupt gameplay

**Reported bugs**

- Hints using themselves randomly
- Freezing and crashing issues
- Ads causing performance issues

**Requested features**

- More new and unique puzzle packs
- Ability to disable animations
- Leaderboards and competitive modes
- Increased difficulty options


### the number bubble

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-number-bubble/id6782946766)

A fun and interactive way to keep score for games with friends. Players get colorful bubbles that grow with their score, offering solo or multiplayer modes. Scores are visible on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island.

**Highlights:** Interactive score bubbles, Solo or multiplayer modes, Lock Screen and Dynamic Island integration, Quick room setup via code/link/QR, Customizable background colors, No ads or tracking

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Flow Free free?

Flow Free is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is the number bubble free?

the number bubble is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Flow Free or the number bubble?

the number bubble is rated higher. Flow Free averages 4.8 out of 5 from 10K ratings, while the number bubble averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do Flow Free or the number bubble have ads?

Flow Free shows ads; the number bubble does not.

### Which is updated more often, Flow Free or the number bubble?

Flow Free ships an update every 5 months, and the number bubble every 4 weeks. Most recently, Flow Free was updated on November 3, 2026 and the number bubble on October 10, 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.*