Comparison

Atomic Linking vs Sand Loop

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

Head to head
About

Atomic Linking

Features
Read full description

Ready to assemble some particles? Atomic Linking is back and better than ever! An artistic reimagining of the classic nineties puzzle game; just tap to construct molecules in this addictive and enjoyable classic. Construct all the atoms and have an atomic blast doing it!

About

Sand Loop

Engage in a relaxing puzzle game where you guide buckets to collect colored sand. Watch as the sand flows with realistic physics to reveal beautiful artwork. Enjoy a calming escape with intuitive controls and hundreds of handcrafted levels.

Highlights
  • Sand collection puzzle gameplay
  • Realistic sand physics
  • Hundreds of handcrafted levels
  • Intuitive tap controls
  • Visually satisfying sand flow
  • Hidden artwork reveals
Features
Read full description

Sand Loop is a relaxing sand sort puzzle: a finished sand artwork is sitting in front of you, and your job is to collect every grain of it. Guide the buckets along the conveyor, pour each color into the one that matches, and let real sand physics do the rest. Take the whole picture apart, color by color, until the board is clear. Relax and unwind after a long day, or take one level at a time on the go. How to play: - Tap to release a bucket and send it down the conveyor - Each color of sand gets poured into the bucket that matches - Work through the artwork until every grain is collected - Place your buckets strategically to solve the puzzle - Clear the board and enjoy the payoff Easy to pick up, genuinely tricky by level 100! Why you'll love it: The sweet spot between a brain teaser and a stress-relief game. Simple taps, beautiful results, steady progress, sand physics and ASMR-style sounds that make every level worth watching. Game features: - A sand sort puzzle built on a loop: timing matters, not just matching - Real sand physics: every grain pours, piles and settles - Hundreds of handcrafted levels, with more in every update - Fresh obstacles and twists that keep changing how you solve - A different sand artwork to take apart in every level - Soft ASMR-style sand sounds and a calm, colorful art style - Free to play, with no countdown timer on any level - Limited-time events to take part in when you feel competitive It never settles into one trick. Just as you get comfortable, a level changes the rules on you - a new obstacle, a new way the sand behaves, a new reason the order you pour in suddenly matters. There is a fresh twist every couple of weeks, so the game you are playing in a month is not the one you downloaded. Hundreds of levels in, it is still finding ways to surprise you. Take a moment for yourself. Let the sand flow. Download Sand Loop for free and start sorting.

Screenshots

Atomic Linking1 screens
Sand Loop4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Sand Loop at Free against Atomic Linking's $1.99. Sand Loop also leads on chart position (#98 vs unranked). Atomic Linking's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 18) and ads (none vs shown). On update cadence 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

Sand Loop is free to download; Atomic Linking costs $1.99 up front. Sand Loop sells 16 one-off in-app purchases. Atomic Linking asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Atomic Linking ships an update monthly, Sand Loop fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Atomic Linking versus Sand Loop: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAtomic LinkingSand Loop
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating—4.5 (22K ratings) — better
Positive reviews—17.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—22K — better
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#98 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB393 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperRichard BannisterVoodoo

In-app purchases

None

Atomic Linking

No in-app purchases

16 purchases

Sand Loop

One-time16
  • Coin Pack 1$1.99
  • Happy Hour$3.99
  • Special Offer$4.99
Show 13 more
  • Sand Loop Offer$5.99
  • Coin Pack 2$7.99
  • No Ads$7.99
  • Sand Loop Offer$9.99
  • Sandy Essentials$9.99
  • Sandy Pass$9.99
  • No Ads Bundle2 variants$12.99
  • Sand Loop Offer$14.99
  • Coin Pack 3$14.99
  • Sandy Gift$19.99
  • Sandy Treasures$29.99
  • Coin Pack 5$54.99
  • Coin Pack 6$99.99

Questions

Is Atomic Linking free?
Atomic Linking costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sand Loop free?
Sand Loop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Atomic Linking or Sand Loop have ads?
Sand Loop shows ads; Atomic Linking does not.
Which is updated more often, Atomic Linking or Sand Loop?
Atomic Linking ships an update monthly, and Sand Loop fortnightly. Most recently, Atomic Linking was updated on October 27, 2026 and Sand Loop on November 1, 2026.

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