# Dots and Boxes vs ChainReaction

The clearest difference is rating: Dots and Boxes at 3.7 against ChainReaction's 1.0. Dots and Boxes also leads on ratings volume (23 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.5). ChainReaction's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Dots and Boxes sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. ChainReaction asks for nothing beyond the download.

Dots and Boxes holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dots and Boxes has 23 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 47% of Dots and Boxes's written reviews are positive against 67% of ChainReaction's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Dots and Boxes ships an update every 2 months, ChainReaction every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on August 28, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dots and Boxes | ChainReaction |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.7 (23 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dots-and-boxes-multiplayer/id1366169655/reviews)** | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chainreactioncore/id1541581923/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **23** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 46.7% of reviews | **66.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 94 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 14.5 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CodeHound](https://appshunter.io/developer/1173184098) | [Joerg Hoehne](https://appshunter.io/developer/1541581925) |

## What reviewers say

### Dots and Boxes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dots-and-boxes-multiplayer/id1366169655)

Engage in a classic pencil-and-paper strategy game with this digital multiplayer version. Connect dots to form squares and outscore your opponents in live online matches, private games with friends, or offline against the computer. Bet on matches and climb the global leaderboard.

**Highlights:** Live online multiplayer, Private matches with friends, Offline AI opponent, Betting and rewards, Live chat with opponents, Global leaderboard, Facebook login

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 10000 Coins | $0.99 | one-time |
| 25000 Coins | $1.99 | one-time |
| 50000 Coins | $2.99 | one-time |
| 100K Coins | $3.99 | one-time |
| 250K Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| 95000 Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| 750K Coins | $5.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $9.99 | one-time |


### ChainReaction

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chainreactioncore/id1541581923)

Strategize and place atoms to dominate a game board. Outsmart the AI with thoughtful moves and anticipate your opponent's actions until the final outcome.

**Highlights:** Atomic placement and explosions, Board conquest gameplay, Single-player against AI, Strategic thinking required, Turn-based gameplay

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dots and Boxes free?

Dots and Boxes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is ChainReaction free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Dots and Boxes or ChainReaction?

Dots and Boxes is rated higher. Dots and Boxes averages 3.7 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while ChainReaction averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Dots and Boxes or ChainReaction have ads?

Dots and Boxes shows ads; ChainReaction does not.

### Which is updated more often, Dots and Boxes or ChainReaction?

Dots and Boxes ships an update every 2 months, and ChainReaction every 3 days. Most recently, Dots and Boxes was updated on August 28, 2026 and ChainReaction on September 22, 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.*