# TownTopia vs Design Show

The clearest difference is ads: TownTopia at none against Design Show's shown. TownTopia also leads on review sentiment (78% vs 67%) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). Design Show's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.7) and ratings volume (270 vs 60). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. TownTopia sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Design Show sells 15 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Design Show holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 60 and 270 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 78% of TownTopia's written reviews are positive against 67% of Design Show's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

TownTopia ships an update every 2 months, Design Show monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TownTopia | Design Show |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (60 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/towntopia/id1502367752/reviews) | **[4.9 (270 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/design-show/id1612960455/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 60 | **270** |
| Positive reviews | **77.8% of reviews** | 66.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 339 MB | 238 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [cookapps](https://appshunter.io/developer/626650864) | [RED BRIX WALL](https://appshunter.io/developer/1640247536) |

## What reviewers say

### TownTopia

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/towntopia/id1502367752)

Restore and decorate your dream town by solving challenging match-3 puzzles. Remodel, design, and build a beautiful, bustling city, helping characters rebuild homes and discover heartwarming stories. Progress through levels to transform your town into a metropolis.

**Highlights:** Addictive match-3 gameplay with boosters, Build and restore various town structures, Help characters rebuild after disasters, Meet charming characters and discover stories, Renovate, design, and decorate town landscapes, Progress to a bustling metropolis

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Starter Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Jewels | $2.99 | one-time |
| Piggy Bank | $3.99 | one-time |
| Stack of Jewels | $5.99 | one-time |
| Piggy Bank | $5.99 | one-time |
| Novice Furnisher | $5.99 | one-time |
| Piggy Bank | $9.99 | one-time |
| Aspiring Decorator | $9.99 | one-time |
| 700 Jewels | $14.99 | one-time |
| Talented Designer | $19.99 | one-time |


### Design Show

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/design-show/id1612960455)

Embark on a global journey of home renovation in this match-3 puzzle game. Solve challenging levels to earn design upgrades, choose furniture and decor, and transform apartments. Uncover a compelling story as you help characters overcome design dilemmas and unlock new locations.

**Highlights:** Match-3 puzzle gameplay, Home renovation and interior design, Choose furniture and decor, Renovate apartments worldwide, Solve character design problems, Unlock new locations and secret rooms, Compelling game story

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

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1000 coins | $1.99 | one-time |
| Special offer | $1.99 | one-time |
| Special Day Offer | $1.99 | one-time |
| Lucky offer | $2.99 | one-time |
| Lucky offer | $4.99 | one-time |
| Safe offer | $4.99 | one-time |
| Basic set | $4.99 | one-time |
| Special Day Offer | $4.99 | one-time |
| 5000 coins | $7.99 | one-time |
| Super set | $9.99 | one-time |
| Golden Pass | $9.99 | one-time |
| Special Day Offer | $9.99 | one-time |
| 10000 coins | $14.99 | one-time |
| Giant set | $19.99 | one-time |
| 25000 coins | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Original graphics and designs
- 👍 Not many ads
- 👍 Entertaining and fun gameplay
- 👍 Good graphics
- 👍 Free of ads

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Flashing lines cause headaches/migraines
- 🐛 No furniture choices in certain levels (Venice, Hawaii)
- 🐛 Lost all progress
- 🐛 Lack of furniture choices
- 🐛 Flashing lines when skipping

**Reported bugs**

- No furniture options in Venice
- Flashing lines when skipping levels
- Lost all progress
- No furniture choices from Hawaii level onwards
- Game ends after 220 levels

**Requested features**

- More furniture choices
- New countries/levels
- Continuation of the game/new levels
- More customization options for furniture
- Updates with new countries


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TownTopia free?

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

### Is Design Show free?

Design Show is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, TownTopia or Design Show?

Design Show is rated higher. TownTopia averages 4.7 out of 5 from 60 ratings, while Design Show averages 4.9 from 270 ratings.

### Do TownTopia or Design Show have ads?

Design Show shows ads; TownTopia does not.

### Which is updated more often, TownTopia or Design Show?

TownTopia ships an update every 2 months, and Design Show monthly. Most recently, TownTopia was updated on October 8, 2026 and Design Show on October 16, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*