Comparison

Quantum 3 vs STEM Defense

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

Head to head
About

Quantum 3

An educational match-3 game that blends fun gameplay with quantum physics concepts. Players match quarks to build subatomic particles and learn about fundamental physics mysteries. It's a great introduction to particle physics for all ages.

Highlights
  • Match-3 gameplay
  • Learn quantum physics
  • Build subatomic particles
  • Explore fundamental physics
  • Puzzle-solving mechanics
Features
Read full description

Quantum 3 is an educational match-3 game for all ages where fun meets quantum physics! Build subatomic particles, learn about the mysteries of fundamental physics and deploy antimatter to clear the way! You'll match and swap quarks to make (and learn about) the baryons you need for each objective. Puzzle out the quantum properties of color, flavor and spin. So get in there and start your quantum-venture! Quantum 3 is puzzle-matching at its finest and a great intro to the world of particle physics! The game is free-to-play with no in-app purchases. The game is developed at Michigan State University by the Games for Entertainment and Learning Lab and is funded under grant PHY 1653405 by the National Science Foundation.

About

STEM Defense

Features
Read full description

About This Game "STEM Defense" immerses yourself in a strategic battle within the human body, where you manipulate pathways and tower placements on a dynamic hexagonal grid. This educational tower defense game teaches players about the immune system through engaging gameplay, focusing on the defense against microscopic invaders. Key Features Path Expansion: Dynamically extend the pathways pathogens travel to strategically shape each level and increase the effectiveness of your defenses. Tower Placement Strategy: Strategic placement of your towers is essential. Elevate your towers to gain damage bonuses, crucial for optimizing defense effectiveness. Mutation-Based Upgrades: Enhance your defenses through epigenetic modifications, providing temporary boosts, and genetic mutations for permanent enhancements. This mirrors real-life biological defense mechanisms. Experience and Genetic Enhancements: Gain experience to unlock advanced defensive capabilities and permanent genetic upgrades, enhancing your ability to combat pathogens. Varied Enemy Types: Encounter diverse pathogens, each with unique abilities. Develop strategies to handle enemies that can regenerate, accelerate, or spawn additional threats. Endless Replayability: With a multitude of genetic enhancements and adaptive enemy tactics, each game offers new challenges and decisions, ensuring unique experiences with every playthrough. Coming Soon:Acquired immunity mechanics!! Support Independent Development As a solo developer not well-versed in the art of social media, I rely on the support of players like you. If you've enjoyed "STEM Defense," please help spread the word and make it known to others!

Screenshots

Quantum 34 screens
STEM Defense4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Quantum 3 at Free against STEM Defense's $6.99. Quantum 3 also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). STEM Defense's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 16 months). 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

Quantum 3 is free to download; STEM Defense costs $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Quantum 3 ships an update every 16 months, STEM Defense every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and August 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Quantum 3 versus STEM Defense: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQuantum 3STEM Defense
PriceFree — better$6.99
Rating5.0 (15 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings15 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 16 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size124 MB411 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperBrian WinnAndrea Carlomaria Sertorio

In-app purchases

None

Quantum 3

No in-app purchases

None

STEM Defense

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Quantum 3 free?
Quantum 3 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is STEM Defense free?
STEM Defense costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Quantum 3 or STEM Defense have ads?
Neither Quantum 3 nor STEM Defense shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Quantum 3 or STEM Defense?
Quantum 3 ships an update every 16 months, and STEM Defense every 3 days. Most recently, Quantum 3 was updated on October 3, 2026 and STEM Defense on August 22, 2026.

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