# JAPAN MAP STACK vs Merge Smile

The clearest difference is update cadence: Merge Smile at every 3 days against JAPAN MAP STACK's every 3 weeks. Merge Smile also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 88%) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 14.0). JAPAN MAP STACK's advantage is ratings volume (6 vs 1). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for JAPAN MAP STACK against 5.0 for Merge Smile. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: JAPAN MAP STACK has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 88% of JAPAN MAP STACK's written reviews are positive against 100% of Merge Smile's.

JAPAN MAP STACK ships an update every 3 weeks, Merge Smile every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and June 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | JAPAN MAP STACK | Merge Smile |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japan-map-stack/id1360634666/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merge-smile/id6473448745/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **6** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 87.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Ad-supported |
| Size | 93 MB | 164 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [YUUTA TAKI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1360634665) | [JooHyung Kim](https://appshunter.io/developer/1686010415) |

## What reviewers say

### JAPAN MAP STACK

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japan-map-stack/id1360634666)

A physics puzzle game where players stack colorful map pieces as high as possible. It features simple one-finger controls and is free to play.

**Highlights:** Physics-based stacking gameplay, Colorful map pieces, Simple one-finger controls, Free to play

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Merge Smile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merge-smile/id6473448745)

Combine identical smiles to create larger ones and clear levels. Progress through increasingly challenging stages with unique smile arrangements. Discover a variety of smiles as you aim to create the biggest one possible.

**Highlights:** Merge identical smiles, Clear stages, Discover various smiles, Increasingly challenging levels, Unique smile arrangements

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is JAPAN MAP STACK free?

JAPAN MAP STACK is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Merge Smile free?

Merge Smile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, JAPAN MAP STACK or Merge Smile?

JAPAN MAP STACK and Merge Smile are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 6 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do JAPAN MAP STACK or Merge Smile have ads?

Both JAPAN MAP STACK and Merge Smile show ads.

### Which is updated more often, JAPAN MAP STACK or Merge Smile?

JAPAN MAP STACK ships an update every 3 weeks, and Merge Smile every 3 days. Most recently, JAPAN MAP STACK was updated on September 29, 2026 and Merge Smile on June 11, 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.*