# 8! Challenge vs HexThrees

The clearest difference is ads: HexThrees at none against 8! Challenge's shown. HexThrees also leads on update cadence (every 5 months vs every 97 months). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

8! Challenge ships an update every 97 months, HexThrees every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | 8! Challenge | HexThrees |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/8-challenge-dice-puzzle/id1436617801/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **4** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 97 months | **Every 5 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 65 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Thang Vu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1269408753) | [Ilja Stepanow](https://appshunter.io/developer/1532412634) |

## What reviewers say

### 8! Challenge

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/8-challenge-dice-puzzle/id1436617801)

A brain-teasing puzzle game where you fill a 4x4 board with dice numbered 1-6. Rows or columns summing to 8 merge and disappear, requiring strategic play to avoid filling the board and losing.

**Highlights:** 4x4 board puzzle, Dice merging mechanic, Strategic gameplay, Brain training, Simple rules, challenging play

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### HexThrees

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hexthrees/id1532412632)

A relaxing puzzle game where you swipe tiles to merge them based on Fibonacci and power-of-two rules. Expand your game field for endless play and enjoy satisfying haptic feedback on compatible devices.

**Highlights:** Swipe to move tiles, Merge tiles by Fibonacci and power-of-two rules, Expandable game field for endless play, Satisfying haptic feedback, Relaxing gameplay

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 8! Challenge free?

8! Challenge is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is HexThrees free?

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

### Do 8! Challenge or HexThrees have ads?

8! Challenge shows ads; HexThrees does not.

### Which is updated more often, 8! Challenge or HexThrees?

8! Challenge ships an update every 97 months, and HexThrees every 5 months. Most recently, 8! Challenge was updated on October 2, 2026 and HexThrees on September 27, 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.*