# Colonial Tycoon vs Elemental Merge

The clearest difference is rating: Elemental Merge at 3.9 against Colonial Tycoon's 3.1. Elemental Merge also leads on review sentiment (69% vs 33%) and update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Colonial Tycoon sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Elemental Merge sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Elemental Merge holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 24 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Colonial Tycoon's written reviews are positive against 69% of Elemental Merge's.

Colonial Tycoon ships an update every 5 months, Elemental Merge monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Colonial Tycoon | Elemental Merge |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.1 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/colonial-tycoon/id1345508571/reviews) | **[3.9 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elemental-merge/id6741715769/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 13 | **24** |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **68.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 27 MB | 319 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Brandon Stecklein](https://appshunter.io/developer/498894252) | [Bigyan Tripathi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1795227954) |

## What reviewers say

### Colonial Tycoon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/colonial-tycoon/id1345508571)

Manage your own business empire on Mars in this idle simulation game. Start with limited funds and grow your wealth by making smart financial decisions and unlocking new technologies. Can you become the ultimate Martian tycoon?

**Highlights:** Idle money making, Business management simulation, Grow your business, Unlock new technologies, Money management tactics, Mars colonization theme

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 100 Ape Coins | $0.99 | one-time |
| Colonial Tycoon Premium | $2.99 | one-time |
| 500 Ape Coins | $4.99 | one-time |


### Elemental Merge

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elemental-merge/id6741715769)

This game lets you merge atoms to discover new elements and progress through the periodic table. Earn resources to upgrade production and unlock bonuses, offering a relaxing yet strategic science-inspired experience.

**Highlights:** Merge atoms to unlock new elements, Collect elements across the periodic table, Strategic upgrades with Particles, Anti-matter, Magic flasks, Relaxing chemistry game inspired by science, Long-term goal of reaching Element 118, Idle progression and discovery gameplay

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Quick Boost 3 Hour | $0.99 | one-time |
| Faster Auto Merge! | $0.99 | one-time |
| Ad Skipper V1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Booster V1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Quick Boost 12 Hour | $1.99 | one-time |
| Faster Auto Merge V2! | $1.99 | one-time |
| Ad Skipper V2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Quick Boost 1 Day | $2.99 | one-time |
| Faster Auto Merge V3! | $2.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Booster V3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Booster V2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Ad Skipper V3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Disable all ads! | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Colonial Tycoon free?

Colonial Tycoon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Elemental Merge free?

Elemental Merge is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Colonial Tycoon or Elemental Merge?

Elemental Merge is rated higher. Colonial Tycoon averages 3.1 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Elemental Merge averages 3.9 from 24 ratings.

### Do Colonial Tycoon or Elemental Merge have ads?

Both Colonial Tycoon and Elemental Merge show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Colonial Tycoon or Elemental Merge?

Colonial Tycoon ships an update every 5 months, and Elemental Merge monthly. Most recently, Colonial Tycoon was updated on November 1, 2026 and Elemental Merge on October 23, 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.*