# Mastermine vs PiKuBo

The clearest difference is rating: PiKuBo at 4.6 against Mastermine's 4.3. PiKuBo also leads on review sentiment (87% vs 73%). Mastermine's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Mastermine sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and PiKuBo sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

PiKuBo holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 117 and 95 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Mastermine's written reviews are positive against 87% of PiKuBo's.

Mastermine ships an update every 3 weeks, PiKuBo every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mastermine | PiKuBo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (117 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mastermine/id1529127991/reviews) | **[4.6 (95 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pikubo-3d-nonogram-puzzles/id6467725326/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **117** | 95 |
| Positive reviews | 72.7% of reviews | **86.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 148 MB | 97 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Adam Soutar](https://appshunter.io/developer/1529127993) | [Daniel Benito](https://appshunter.io/developer/1566105796) |

## What reviewers say

### Mastermine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mastermine/id1529127991)

Experience a 3D twist on a classic logic puzzle. Navigate complex boards across a 3D cube, utilizing unique power-ups and customizable skins. Compete globally on leaderboards and explore various game modes for endless challenges.

**Highlights:** 3D cube board navigation, Power-ups for board manipulation, Customizable skins, Global solve-time leaderboards, Multiple game modes (Time Crisis, Campaign, Sandbox), Ever-increasing cube sizes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mastermine PRO Upgrade | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Innovative 3D twist on classic Minesweeper
- 🎵 High-quality, well-designed music and audio
- 🆓 Free to play with no ads in free version
- 💎 Polished and well-developed game
- 💰 Reasonable pricing for Pro features ($1.99-$2)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🎮 Confusing control scheme (tap vs. hold)
- 🐛 Accidental reveals when trying to flag
- 🔄 Inconsistent touch detection and responsiveness
- 🎨 Limited iPad support (portrait mode only)
- 💳 Significant paywall for higher difficulties (8x8+)

**Reported bugs**

- Leaderboard fails to load
- Flag placement sometimes unresponsive
- Sync error in settings
- Refresh glitch causing progress loss after reinstall
- Time Crisis mode timer starts at random intervals

**Requested features**

- Customizable control scheme (tap to reveal, hold to flag)
- Dedicated flag/reveal toggle button on HUD
- Landscape mode support for iPad
- Better tutorial and how-to-play guide
- Number orientation lock (always facing up)


### PiKuBo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pikubo-3d-nonogram-puzzles/id6467725326)

Engage in a unique 3D puzzle game where you reveal shapes by strategically removing blocks from a cube. Enjoy hundreds of logic-based puzzles with adaptive controls and soothing music. Unlock more challenges through in-app purchases.

**Highlights:** Hundreds of 3D nonogram puzzles, Logic-based solving, no guesswork, Adaptive one-handed controls, Customizable markers with four colors, Soothing bossa nova background music, Portrait and landscape viewing modes, Family sharing for level packs

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

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Puzzle Pack 02 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Pack 03 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Pack 14 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Pack 13 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Pack 12 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Pack 11 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Pack 10 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Pack 09 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Pack 08 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Pack 07 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Pack 06 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Pack 05 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Pack 04 | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Innovative 3D nonogram puzzle concept
- 🎮 Engaging and addictive gameplay
- 👍 Intuitive and well-designed user interface
- 🎨 Beautiful graphics and visual presentation
- 💰 Affordable pricing for puzzle packs ($0.99 each)

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⏱️ Timer system feels rushed and stressful
- ❤️ Heart/lives system frustrating for some players
- 🐛 Occasional accidental block touches
- 🔧 Controls reset when rotating puzzle
- 💸 Pricing model requires multiple purchases for full content

**Reported bugs**

- In-app purchase error preventing pack purchases
- Purchase not received after payment
- Support email bouncing back
- Color contrast issue in Pack 12 (blue on blue)
- Inability to expose enough blocks at certain angles for decision-making

**Requested features**

- More puzzle packs released more frequently
- Undo button for accidental moves
- Save progress mid-puzzle
- Ability to move puzzle around (pan feature)
- Full 360-degree rotation capability


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Mastermine free?

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

### Is PiKuBo free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Mastermine or PiKuBo?

PiKuBo is rated higher. Mastermine averages 4.3 out of 5 from 117 ratings, while PiKuBo averages 4.6 from 95 ratings.

### Do Mastermine or PiKuBo have ads?

Neither Mastermine nor PiKuBo shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Mastermine or PiKuBo?

Mastermine ships an update every 3 weeks, and PiKuBo every 5 weeks. Most recently, Mastermine was updated on October 24, 2026 and PiKuBo on October 30, 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.*