# Signs vs Simple Alchemy

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Simple Alchemy at none against Signs's 1. Simple Alchemy also leads on review sentiment (91% vs 83%). Signs's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly) and ratings volume (181 vs 6). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Signs sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Simple Alchemy asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Signs against 4.8 for Simple Alchemy. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Signs has 181 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 83% of Signs's written reviews are positive against 91% of Simple Alchemy's.

Signs ships an update every 5 days, Simple Alchemy monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Signs | Simple Alchemy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (181 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/signs-alchemy/id1551481191/reviews) | **[4.8 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-alchemy/id6462784198/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **181** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 82.6% of reviews | **90.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 40 MB | 98 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Faruk Sinopluoglu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1543068282) | [登理 郝](https://appshunter.io/developer/910536182) |

## What reviewers say

### Signs

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/signs-alchemy/id1551481191)

A logic puzzle game where players aim to turn all board tiles gold by strategically placing items. Match items by symbol or color to clear lines and create space. The game ends if no valid moves can be made.

**Highlights:** Convert tiles to gold, Match items by symbol or color, Clear lines to gain space, Trash items when no suitable place, Automatic progress saving, Share end game boards and scores

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great remake of Alchemy
- 😌 Relaxing and fun gameplay
- 🤩 Nostalgic experience
- 💯 Addictive and challenging

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😠 Excessive and long ads
- 👎 Ads interrupt gameplay
- 📈 Difficulty spikes
- 💸 No option to remove ads (for some)

**Reported bugs**

- Stuck on specific levels
- Ads that cannot be clicked out of

**Requested features**

- Power-up options for difficult levels
- Left-handed mode (trash bin on left)
- Option to pay to remove ads
- White background option
- Ability to replay current level


### Simple Alchemy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-alchemy/id6462784198)

A puzzle game where you combine basic elements to discover over 600 unique items, including cities, mermaids, and aliens. Enjoy one-handed gameplay and offline play with over 20 achievements.

**Highlights:** Discover 980+ elements, One-handed gameplay, 20+ Achievements, Offline play, Mix elements to create items

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Signs free?

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

### Is Simple Alchemy free?

Simple Alchemy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Signs or Simple Alchemy?

Simple Alchemy is rated higher. Signs averages 4.7 out of 5 from 181 ratings, while Simple Alchemy averages 4.8 from 6 ratings.

### Do Signs or Simple Alchemy have ads?

Both Signs and Simple Alchemy show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Signs or Simple Alchemy?

Signs ships an update every 5 days, and Simple Alchemy monthly. Most recently, Signs was updated on October 20, 2026 and Simple Alchemy on October 25, 2026.

---

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