# Save the Wave vs Drops Merge 3D

The clearest difference is ads: Save the Wave at none against Drops Merge 3D's shown. Save the Wave also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 13 months) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Save the Wave against 5.0 for Drops Merge 3D. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

Save the Wave ships an update every 4 days, Drops Merge 3D every 13 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Save the Wave | Drops Merge 3D |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/save-the-wave/id1504501218/reviews) | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drops-merge-3d/id1604144364/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **2** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 13 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 68 MB | 113 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 11.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [App Swim LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1475582966) | [帅 袁](https://appshunter.io/developer/1447999590) |

## What reviewers say

### Save the Wave

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/save-the-wave/id1504501218)

Protect the ocean's waves from incoming balls. A simple yet engaging game designed to test your reflexes and timing. Enjoy a clean, ad-free experience.

**Highlights:** Wave protection gameplay, Simple controls, Ad-free experience, High score tracking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Drops Merge 3D

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drops-merge-3d/id1604144364)

Guide water droplets across 3D objects, merging them as you go. Carefully slide and tilt the stage to avoid falling off. The game ends if any droplets are lost.

**Highlights:** 3D object interaction, Droplet merging mechanics, Swipe and tilt controls, Challenging level design, Stress relief gameplay

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Save the Wave free?

Save the Wave is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Drops Merge 3D free?

Drops Merge 3D is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Save the Wave or Drops Merge 3D?

Save the Wave and Drops Merge 3D are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 2 ratings respectively.

### Do Save the Wave or Drops Merge 3D have ads?

Drops Merge 3D shows ads; Save the Wave does not.

### Which is updated more often, Save the Wave or Drops Merge 3D?

Save the Wave ships an update every 4 days, and Drops Merge 3D every 13 months. Most recently, Save the Wave was updated on October 24, 2026 and Drops Merge 3D on October 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.*