Comparison

Match Four vs Gleamworks

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

Head to head
About

Match Four

A challenging puzzle game where players connect four or more same-colored blocks horizontally or vertically. Strategically place shapes to avoid filling the playfield and unlock new colors to boost your score.

Highlights
  • Drag and drop shapes
  • Connect four or more same-colored blocks
  • Form full horizontal or vertical lines
  • Unlock new colors for score multipliers
  • Prevent playfield from filling
Features
Read full description

Most addictive game ever! Harder than you think! • Drag a shape from bottom pool onto vacant space of the playing field; • Form a figure of four or more connected blocks of the same color OR • Form a full line of blocks of any color either horizontally or vertically to score; • Unlock new colors to multiply your score; • Keep the blocks from filling the playfield. Have a good time with Match Four!

About

Gleamworks

Guide beams of colored light through an intricate grid of optical pieces by rotating mirrors, splitters, and filters. Solve logic puzzles with no timers or move limits, at your own pace. Features additive color mixing and a colorblind-friendly mode.

Highlights
  • 250 handcrafted puzzles
  • 6 unique piece types
  • Additive color mixing
  • No timers or move limits
  • Offline play
  • Colorblind-friendly mode
Features
Read full description

Direct beams of colored light through an intricate grid of optical pieces. Rotate mirrors, splitters, filters, portals, and combiners to guide every beam to its matching receiver. Gleamworks is a thoughtful puzzle game built around light, color, and precision. Each level places every piece on the board — your job is to find the right rotation for each one. No guessing, no inventory management, just clean logic. FEATURES - 250 handcrafted puzzles across 12 difficulty tiers - 6 unique piece types: mirrors, filters, splitters, portals, combiners, and walls - Additive color mixing — combine red, yellow, and blue beams to create new colors - New mechanics introduced gradually as you progress - No timers, no energy systems, no move limits - Play at your own pace — offline, on your schedule - Hints available when you need a nudge - Colorblind-friendly mode with shape-based cues START SIMPLE, GO DEEP Early levels teach you the basics with mirrors and filters. By the midgame, you're splitting beams, mixing colors, and routing light through portals. Late-game puzzles demand creative thinking across large grids with every piece type in play. DESIGNED FOR FOCUS No flashing notifications, no social pressure, no pay-to-win mechanics. Gleamworks respects your time and attention. Sit down, solve a puzzle or ten, and walk away satisfied. **What's New (first release):** Welcome to Gleamworks! 250 light beam puzzles await. Rotate mirrors, mix colors, and guide every beam to its receiver.

Screenshots

Match Four4 screens
Gleamworks3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Match Four at none against Gleamworks's 1. Match Four also leads on ratings volume (35 vs 1) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). Gleamworks's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 8 months) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, review sentiment, ads 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

Both are free to download. Gleamworks sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Match Four asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Gleamworks holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Match Four has 35 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Match Four ships an update every 8 months, Gleamworks daily. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Match Four versus Gleamworks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMatch FourGleamworks
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (35 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings35 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsDaily — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size58 MB242 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperANDREY NOVIKOVJames Knarr

Customer experience

Match Four

All ratings33 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral6.1%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Gleamworks

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Match Four

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Gleamworks

One-time1
  • Gleamworks Ad-Free$2.99

Questions

Is Match Four free?
Match Four is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Gleamworks free?
Gleamworks is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Match Four or Gleamworks?
Gleamworks is rated higher. Match Four averages 4.7 out of 5 from 35 ratings, while Gleamworks averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Match Four or Gleamworks have ads?
Both Match Four and Gleamworks show ads.
Which is updated more often, Match Four or Gleamworks?
Match Four ships an update every 8 months, and Gleamworks daily. Most recently, Match Four was updated on November 2, 2026 and Gleamworks on October 31, 2026.

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