Comparison

Shape Garden vs Efemeris

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

Head to head
About

Shape Garden

Explore a world of computer-generated shapes, merging them by swiping to create new, higher-value forms. Enjoy different game modes and visually stunning themes. Share your discoveries with friends.

Highlights
  • Swipe to merge shapes
  • Discover new higher-level shapes
  • Multiple game modes (Standard, Timed)
  • Visually distinct themes
  • Zoom for shape details
  • Share shape discoveries
Features
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You're an explorer in a strange landscape of beautiful and ethereal computer generated shapes. Play is simple. Just swipe to move shapes. When shapes collide they merge to form new higher level shapes with higher point values. A new shape is added after each move. The game's over when there's no free spaces and no shapes can be merged. But don’t worry, there’s always next time with a completely new wondrous set of randomly generated shapes. Shape Garden Includes: • 4 beautiful and unique themes including Japanese Seashore, Plain Packaging, Plastic Toys and The Blind Watchmaker • Standard mode - reach higher levels, explore shapes or just chill out and explore • Timed mode - race against the clock • Zoom to see exquisite shape details • Share discovered shapes with friends • Additional theme packs available

About

Efemeris

Features
Read full description

Two fleets face each other across a star map that does not exist yet. You build it, one tile at a time, as you explore. A turn-based board game duel, played solo against the AI or with a friend across phone, tablet and PC. A game lasts about twenty minutes. HOW YOU WIN First to conquer five planets in ten turns takes it. Lose every planet you hold and the game ends there. EVERY TURN, FOUR DECISIONS • Explore — place a tile and open a new stretch of the Celestial Vault • Harvest — collect Star Pepper and Celestial Vanilla from the trading posts you hold • Manoeuvre — move your galleon and frigates, spend your crew cards • Build — buy frigates, raise fortresses, pay a planet's price THREE NATIONS, THREE WAYS TO PLAY The British Royal Navy, the French Royal Navy or the Spanish Armada. Each fields its own captains and its own crew: the Spanish Governor talks a planet's price down, the French Lady of the Night fills your holds, the Gunner opens fire. You pick two captains and five crew members before the first tile is laid. That choice shapes the whole game. NOTHING IS FREE Your holds never exceed five spices. Firing costs a Gunner card. Your captain's ability only triggers if a Chief mate is there to relay the order — and if your galleon falls, your captain goes down with it. SOLO OR TWO PLAYERS • Solo — face an AI that drafts its hand, plays its cards and races you to the fifth planet • Duel — play a friend across Android, iOS and PC HAND-DRAWN CELESTIAL CHARTS Engraved constellations, gilded compass roses and inked portraits: Efemeris is played on an old star atlas that slowly fills with light. A complete game. No ads, no in-app purchases. Available in English and French.

Screenshots

Shape Garden4 screens
Efemeris4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Shape Garden at Free against Efemeris's $3.99. Shape Garden also leads on iOS requirement (9.3 vs 15.0). Efemeris's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On update cadence, 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

Shape Garden is free to download; Efemeris costs $3.99 up front. Shape Garden sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Efemeris asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Shape Garden versus Efemeris: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShape GardenEfemeris
PriceFree — better$3.99
Rating4.6 (21 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews70.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings21 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.3 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB130 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRiada International Pty. Ltd.DTDA Games

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Shape Garden

One-time2
  • Theme Pack 1$0.99
  • Theme Pack 2$0.99
None

Efemeris

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Shape Garden free?
Shape Garden is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Efemeris free?
Efemeris costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Shape Garden or Efemeris have ads?
Neither Shape Garden nor Efemeris shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Shape Garden or Efemeris?
Shape Garden ships an update every 8 months, and Efemeris every 8 months. Most recently, Shape Garden was updated on October 12, 2026 and Efemeris on October 11, 2026.

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