Comparison

Swim Out vs Cottage Garden

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

Head to head
About

Swim Out

A strategic, turn-based puzzle game set in a relaxing poolside or seaside environment. Plan your moves carefully to avoid other swimmers and enjoy the view. Features over 100 levels with diverse swimmers and interactive objects.

Highlights
  • Turn-based puzzle gameplay
  • Over 100 levels
  • Diverse swimmer types
  • Interactive objects
  • Environmental hazards
  • Controller support
Features
Read full description

Dive into the relaxing and refreshing atmosphere of Swim Out, a strategic, turn-based puzzle game, that will transport you into a sunny day by the swimming pool, the river or the sea. Plan each of your strokes wisely and be sure to never cross any other swimmer's path if you want to peacefully enjoy the sea view on a cosy chaise-longue. • "If you're a fan of puzzle games Swim Out is very likely for you. It's attractive, intuitive, and fun." - Touch Arcade • "Swim Out looks like the perfect tactical escape into a lush digital paradise" - Touch Arcade • "Swim Out is a perfect summertime game" - MacStories • "I am delighted by how unfamiliar a swimming experience this is to me" - Rock, Paper, Shotgun • "There are precious few things I appreciate more than a straightforward puzzle game with a strong commitment to its aesthetic, and Swim Out is exactly that" - Waypoint • Over 100 levels nestled in carefully crafted landscapes, soothed by the sound of seagulls, frogs or water splashes. • 7 chapters combining : - 12 different types of swimmers : each with their own way of moving around, ranging from the simple breaststroke swimmers to the more complex divers or cheeky water-bombing kids - 12 different objects to interact with : buoys, fins, water guns, you can even ride a kayak! - 6 disruptive environmental elements like waves, crabs or jellyfish that will give your brain a work out until you swim out! • iCloud sync • 15 GameCenter achievements • 28 iMessage Stickers • Support for all iPhones and iPads • Play with your Xbox One, PS4 or MFi controller Awards and recognition: • "GDC Summer 2020" Artwork selected at GDC Artists gallery • "TIGA Games Industry Awards 2018" Finalist, Creativity Award, Strategy Game • "Indie Prize 2018" Finalist • "Ping Awards 2017" Finalist, Mobile Game • "TIGA Games Industry Awards 2017" Finalist, Puzzle Game

About

Cottage Garden

Compete in the art of gardening by filling flowerbeds with diverse plants, flowerpots, and garden cloches. Score completed beds and earn points to become the ultimate gardener. Enjoy a family-friendly, strategic experience with various play modes.

Highlights
  • Digital board game conversion
  • Local and online multiplayer
  • Cross-platform play
  • Family-friendly theme
  • Ranked and casual play
  • Real-time and asynchronous games
  • Interactive tutorial
Features
Read full description

COTTAGE GARDEN - a colorful sea of flowers, framed by walls, paths, and hedges. As ambitious gardeners, you face the challenge of filling the beds in every corner of your garden with plants, inspired by the limitations of space to create ever new compositions. You will use a variety of plants — as well as flowerpots and garden cloches — to design gardens that bloom with diversity. Be kind to the helpful cats! Goal of the Game - In Cottage Garden, you compete in the art of gardening. Plant two Flowerbeds with different flowers. Score each Flowerbed when there are no more free spaces visible on it, then exchange it for a new, unplanted one. You receive points for all visible Flower Pots and Garden Cloches on the completed Flowerbed, and you may also receive Flower Pots and Cats that will help you with your gardening. The player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner. Features • True digital conversion of Uwe Rosenbergs famous board game • 2-4 players locally, online or even cross-platform • Family friendly - non violent theme • Worldwide ranked multiplayer and casual play with your friends • fast real time games or asynchronous games with 24 hour time limit per turn • Easy interactive tutorial to learn the game from scratch • Analyze your best games or learn tricks from the best with Playback • 3 different computer opponents • uses the newest rules of the board game

Screenshots

Swim Out4 screens
Cottage Garden4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Swim Out at 4.7 against Cottage Garden's 3.1. Swim Out also leads on review sentiment (59% vs 38%) and ratings volume (253 vs 25). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Swim Out costs $2.99 and Cottage Garden $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Swim Out holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Swim Out has 253 ratings behind it against 25, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of Swim Out's written reviews are positive against 38% of Cottage Garden's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Swim Out ships an update every 4 months, Cottage Garden every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Swim Out versus Cottage Garden: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSwim OutCottage Garden
Price$2.99 — better$4.99
Rating4.7 (253 ratings) — better3.1 (25 ratings)
Positive reviews58.5% of reviews — better38.2% of reviews
Number of ratings253 — better25
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size125 MB180 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLozange LabDIGIDICED

Customer experience

Swim Out

All ratings253 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral2.4%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive58.5%
Neutral12.2%
Negative29.3%

Cottage Garden

All ratings25 ratings
Positive44.0%
Neutral16.0%
Negative40.0%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive38.2%
Neutral23.5%
Negative38.2%

Bugs and requests

Swim Out

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Crashes immediately on opening
  • Screen orientation locked
  • Money deducted without purchase/notification
  • Specific level bug (2-13)
  • Game crashes after opening

Requested features

7 requests
  • Option to see finished levels
  • Faster mode or quicker animations
  • More varied puzzle design
  • Ability to undo moves
  • More level variety or new levels
Show 2 more
  • Explanations for collectibles ('flippers', 'beach ball')
  • Customization options (swimsuit variations)

Cottage Garden

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Swim Out

No in-app purchases

None

Cottage Garden

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Swim Out free?
Swim Out costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cottage Garden free?
Cottage Garden costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Swim Out or Cottage Garden?
Swim Out is rated higher. Swim Out averages 4.7 out of 5 from 253 ratings, while Cottage Garden averages 3.1 from 25 ratings.
Do Swim Out or Cottage Garden have ads?
Neither Swim Out nor Cottage Garden shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Swim Out or Cottage Garden?
Swim Out ships an update every 4 months, and Cottage Garden every 2 months. Most recently, Swim Out was updated on October 22, 2026 and Cottage Garden on October 21, 2026.

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