# 8! Challenge vs Idle Elements

The clearest difference is ads: 8! Challenge at none against Idle Elements's shown. 8! Challenge also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported). Idle Elements's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 97 months) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Idle Elements holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 2 respectively.

8! Challenge ships an update every 97 months, Idle Elements daily. Both last shipped on September 15, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | 8! Challenge | Idle Elements |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/8-challenge-dice-puzzle/id1436617801/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-elements/id6502619739/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **4** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 97 months | **Daily** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 65 MB | 96 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Thang Vu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1269408753) | [Nigmatic Sound LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1451103347) |

## 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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Idle Elements

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-elements/id6502619739)

Merge crystals by matching three or more to generate increasingly large numbers. Manage your elements carefully to avoid negative consequences as you play.

**Highlights:** Match 3 crystal merging, Idle gameplay mechanics, Number generation, Element management, Strategic 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 Idle Elements free?

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

### Which has better reviews, 8! Challenge or Idle Elements?

Idle Elements is rated higher. 8! Challenge averages 4.8 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Idle Elements averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do 8! Challenge or Idle Elements have ads?

Idle Elements shows ads; 8! Challenge does not.

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

8! Challenge ships an update every 97 months, and Idle Elements daily. Most recently, 8! Challenge was updated on September 15, 2026 and Idle Elements on September 15, 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.*