Quantum 3 vs STEM Defense
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Match-3 gameplay
- Learn quantum physics
- Build subatomic particles
- Explore fundamental physics
- Puzzle-solving mechanics
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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.
STEM Defense
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
| Parameter | Quantum 3 | STEM Defense |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $6.99 |
| Rating | 5.0 (15 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 15 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 16 months | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 124 MB | 411 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Brian Winn | Andrea Carlomaria Sertorio |
In-app purchases
Quantum 3
No in-app purchases
STEM Defense
No in-app purchases









