# Merge Defense 3D! vs Crowd Path

The clearest difference is ads: Crowd Path at none against Merge Defense 3D!'s shown. Crowd Path also leads on rating (4.0 vs 3.7). Merge Defense 3D!'s advantage is review sentiment (25% vs 13%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Merge Defense 3D! sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Crowd Path sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Crowd Path holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.1K and 816 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 25% of Merge Defense 3D!'s written reviews are positive against 13% of Crowd Path's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Merge Defense 3D! ships an update every 3 weeks, Crowd Path every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Merge Defense 3D! | Crowd Path |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merge-defense-3d/id1490412270/reviews) | **[4.0 (816 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crowd-path/id1600047739/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.1K** | 816 |
| Positive reviews | **24.5% of reviews** | 13.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 157 MB | 353 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tatem Games Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1259148330) | [OVIVO Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/1482405708) |

## What reviewers say

### Merge Defense 3D!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merge-defense-3d/id1490412270)

A turn-based tower defense game where players strategically place and merge defenders to fend off advancing enemy blocks. It offers offline play and a challenging puzzle experience for a daring mind.

**Highlights:** Turn-based gameplay, Merge defenders to upgrade, Strategic placement, Offline play, Challenging puzzle, Power-ups and unlocks

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pack of Gems | $0.99 | one-time |
| Double Gems | $1.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |
| Promo Bundle | $3.99 | one-time |
| Big Promo Bundle | $6.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Good game concept
- 🎮 Enjoyable gameplay
- 💎 Addictive

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Excessive ads
- 🔁 Ads interrupt gameplay
- 🔒 Paid ad-free version doesn't work
- 🐛 Glitches and crashes
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly

**Reported bugs**

- Paid ad-free version doesn't remove ads
- Game freezes during ads
- Progress lost when game crashes

**Requested features**

- Add 'End Turn' button
- Improve difficulty scaling past level 1000
- Increase max level for defense towers


### Crowd Path

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crowd-path/id1600047739)

Draw the most efficient path for your stickmen to navigate obstacles and multiplication gates. Strategize your moves to outsmart enemies and achieve victory. Choose your path wisely to avoid dangers and master the art of pathfinding.

**Highlights:** Draw efficient paths, Navigate obstacles, Multiplication gates, Strategize moves, Outsmart enemies, Pathfinding challenges

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No Ads 24H | $1.99 | one-time |
| 10 Skip Ad Tickets | $1.99 | one-time |
| Black Friday Mania | $4.99 | one-time |
| No Ads | $5.99 | one-time |
| Rewards Master | $6.99 | one-time |
| Fast Track Coin Booster | $7.99 | one-time |
| 50 Skip ad tickets | $7.99 | one-time |
| 100 Skip Ad Tickets | $12.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Fun gameplay
- 🧠 Brain-teasing puzzles

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤬 Excessive ads
- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 💰 Lack of rewards/coins
- 🔁 Repetitive levels

**Reported bugs**

- Game freezing after completing levels
- Coins not being awarded properly
- Crashes after watching ads

**Requested features**

- More challenging levels
- Improved reward system
- Reduced ads


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Merge Defense 3D! free?

Merge Defense 3D! is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Crowd Path free?

Crowd Path is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Merge Defense 3D! or Crowd Path?

Crowd Path is rated higher. Merge Defense 3D! averages 3.7 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Crowd Path averages 4.0 from 816 ratings.

### Do Merge Defense 3D! or Crowd Path have ads?

Merge Defense 3D! shows ads; Crowd Path does not.

### Which is updated more often, Merge Defense 3D! or Crowd Path?

Merge Defense 3D! ships an update every 3 weeks, and Crowd Path every 2 weeks. Most recently, Merge Defense 3D! was updated on September 24, 2026 and Crowd Path on September 24, 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.*