Comparison

BUST vs Simple Match 3

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

Head to head
About

BUST

Embark on a bubble-popping adventure where you shoot and match three or more bubbles of the same color to clear stages. Complete diverse missions, utilize helpful items, and unlock new levels. Enjoy over 270 puzzle stages with unique challenges and optional map purchases for extended gameplay.

Highlights
  • Shoot and match 3+ same-colored bubbles
  • Complete diverse stage missions
  • Unlock new stages by clearing levels
  • Utilize helpful items and characters
  • Over 270 puzzle stages with gimmicks
  • Optional map purchases for additional stages
Currently charting
Read full description

BUST-A-MOVE Features: - Shoot bubbles and match 3 or more bubbles of the same color to make them pop! - Complete your missions in every stage such as "Pop all the bubbles!", "Reach the target score!" and "Save Chack'n!"! - Clearing a stage unlocks the next stage. Move forward on your way! - Skillfully use the helpful items and characters to advance the stages efficiently! - "EASY MODE" to assist "Guide & Change Up" functions is now available! - The game includes 270 + αpuzzle stages with a variety of gimmicks! - You can purchase a MAP to play additional stages from the Stage 271. How to play: - Shoot bubbles and match 3 or more bubbles of the same color to make them pop. - A stage is cleared by completing Goal Target. - Bonus points are awarded when you remove a bunch of bubbles at once or remove bubbles with a bubble bouncing off a side wall of the game field. - COMBO occurs when you successfully remove bubbles in a consecutive manner. - Collect STARS and unlock TREASURE BOX by getting a target score in every stage. Notes: - iOS version 7.1 or newer is required.

About

Simple Match 3

This is a relaxing puzzle game where you swap tiles to make matches of three. Unlock hundreds of unique tiles, customize your game's appearance, and enjoy satisfying effects. It offers a peaceful experience without ads or excessive story elements.

Highlights
  • No ads or subscriptions
  • Hundreds of unique tiles
  • Customizable appearance
  • Daily levels with leaderboards
  • Zen Mode for relaxation
  • Satisfying visual effects
  • Achievements and boosters
Features
Read full description

Simple Match 3 is a relaxing and challenging puzzle game with absolutely no ads. Swap tiles and make matches of 3 to clear levels. Unlock hundreds of unique tiles and customize to fit your style. Discover a variety of different elements and mechanics as you progress through the game. Use satisfying boosters and power ups. Unlike most match-3 games, Simple Match 3 was created to give players a relaxing and satisfying experience, without annoying ads, obnoxious effects, or time wasting story elements. FEATURES: No ads: Absolutely no ads or subscription purchases. The base price includes 350 levels, a unique daily level with leaderboard, and zen mode. 1 small in-app purchase unlocks even more. Customization: Customize to your heart’s content with hundreds of different tiles and lots of different background colors. You can even choose the color of the user interface buttons to match your theme! Daily Level: Play a unique level every single day. Try to make it to the top of the online leaderboard! Zen Mode: Relax and make matches with no move limits, no goals, and limited obstacles in Zen Mode. Satisfying experience: Enjoy super satisfying effects as you clear tiles, smash through crates, destroy glass, and more! The effects were created to be satisfying, without being too obnoxious or overwhelming. Achievements: Complete a variety of achievements to unlock more tiles. Boosters: Spin the prize wheel every day to gain boosters. You can also get even more boosters by completing the daily goal. Handcrafted levels: Play through 350 handcrafted levels and try to earn 3 stars. Some levels are simple, others are more challenging. Discover a variety of unique elements as you progress. If you want more, 1 small in app purchase unlocks 350 more levels. Created with love and care: Developed by a single person with care. Levels are designed to be fun, challenging, and satisfying without the need to purchase endless boosters. Download Simple Match 3 today and see what makes it so special!

Screenshots

BUST4 screens
Simple Match 34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Simple Match 3 at 90% against BUST's 41%. Simple Match 3 also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.3) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). BUST's advantage is iOS requirement (7.0 vs 14.0). On ads, in-app purchases 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

BUST costs $4.99 and Simple Match 3 $1.99 up front. BUST sells 9 one-off in-app purchases and Simple Match 3 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Simple Match 3 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simple Match 3 has 258 ratings behind it against 46, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of BUST's written reviews are positive against 90% of Simple Match 3's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BUST ships an update every 3 weeks, Simple Match 3 weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
BUST versus Simple Match 3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBUSTSimple Match 3
Price$4.99$1.99 — better
Rating3.3 (46 ratings)4.8 (258 ratings) — better
Positive reviews41.2% of reviews89.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings46258 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#184#37 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS7.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size127 MB463 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTAITO CorporationMulberry Tree Games, LLC

Customer experience

BUST

All ratings46 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral15.2%
Negative34.8%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive41.2%
Neutral17.6%
Negative41.2%

Simple Match 3

All ratings247 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral2.8%
Negative3.2%
Written reviews195 reviews
Positive89.7%
Neutral6.2%
Negative4.1%

Bugs and requests

BUST

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Simple Match 3

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Levels with Missing Obstacles
  • Reward Box Tapping Issue
  • Inconsistent Star Rating System
  • Soft Locks with Rainbow Tiles
  • Crashes on Opening

Requested features

6 requests
  • Level Editor
  • Endless/Survival Mode
  • Improved Power-Up Interactions
  • Hints or Shuffle Option
  • Landscape Support for iPad
Show 1 more
  • iCloud Sync Across Devices

In-app purchases

9 purchases

BUST

One-time9
  • Map4$0.99
  • Map5$0.99
  • Map6$0.99
Show 6 more
  • Map7$0.99
  • Map8$0.99
  • Map9$0.99
  • Map10$0.99
  • Map11$0.99
  • Map12$0.99
1 purchases

Simple Match 3

One-time1
  • Simple Match 3 Gold$1.99

Questions

Is BUST free?
BUST costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Simple Match 3 free?
Simple Match 3 costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BUST or Simple Match 3?
Simple Match 3 is rated higher. BUST averages 3.3 out of 5 from 46 ratings, while Simple Match 3 averages 4.8 from 258 ratings.
Do BUST or Simple Match 3 have ads?
Neither BUST nor Simple Match 3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BUST or Simple Match 3?
BUST ships an update every 3 weeks, and Simple Match 3 weekly. Most recently, BUST was updated on October 26, 2026 and Simple Match 3 on October 30, 2026.
Which is more popular, BUST or Simple Match 3?
BUST currently peaks at #184 in the App Store charts, and Simple Match 3 at #37. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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