# Idle Acorns vs Simple Match 3

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Idle Acorns at none against Simple Match 3's 1. Idle Acorns also leads on ratings volume (1.2K vs 247). Simple Match 3's advantage is review sentiment (90% vs 60%) and update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Idle Acorns costs $1.99 and Simple Match 3 $1.99 up front. Simple Match 3 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Idle Acorns asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Idle Acorns against 4.8 for Simple Match 3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.2K and 247 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 60% of Idle Acorns's written reviews are positive against 90% of Simple Match 3's.

Idle Acorns ships an update every 6 weeks, Simple Match 3 weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Idle Acorns | Simple Match 3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | $1.99 |
| Rating | [4.8 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-acorns/id1552999208/reviews) | [4.8 (247 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-match-3/id6482984389/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2K** | 247 |
| Positive reviews | 60.2% of reviews | **90.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#38** |
| Size | 149 MB | 463 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.1** | 14.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [aleros.io LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1552999210) | [Mulberry Tree Games, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1714124470) |

## What reviewers say

### Idle Acorns

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-acorns/id1552999208)

A classic idle clicker game with a charming narrative. Explore diverse environments, gather resources, craft items, and play mini-games. Enjoy a pure, ad-free experience with no in-app purchases or data mining.

**Highlights:** Resource gathering and upgrades, Crafting over 24 items, Fishing and cooking mini-game, Gardening and tree growing, Campfire for inviting characters, iCloud backup support, Game Center integration

**Features:** iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Charming and relaxing
- 👍 No ads or in-app purchases
- 🎨 Pleasant aesthetics
- 🕹️ Satisfying gameplay loop
- 💰 Good value for money

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⏱️ Slow progression and pacing
- 🔍 Unclear mechanics and lack of explanation
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔌 Limited offline progress
- 🔢 Inconsistent upgrade costs

**Reported bugs**

- Tree disappearing issue
- Bat not recognizing feather purchases
- Zoom and UI issues on certain devices
- Negative acorn balance after time manipulation

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- More late-game content
- Improved UI and navigation
- Better explanation of game mechanics
- Increased offline progress


### Simple Match 3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-match-3/id6482984389)

**Currently charting:** #38 Top Paid · Casual, #47 Top Paid · Puzzle (US App Store)

This is a relaxing puzzle game where you swap tiles to make matches of three. Unlock hundreds of unique tiles, customize your game's appearance, and enjoy satisfying effects. It offers a peaceful experience without ads or excessive story elements.

**Highlights:** No ads or subscriptions, Hundreds of unique tiles, Customizable appearance, Daily levels with leaderboards, Zen Mode for relaxation, Satisfying visual effects, Achievements and boosters

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Simple Match 3 Gold | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Best Match 3 Game
- 👍 Calming and Engaging
- 🔒 No Ads or IAPs
- 👍 Customizable Tiles
- 👍 Relaxing Music and Sound Effects

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs in Higher Levels
- 🐛 Impossible Levels Due to Missing Obstacles
- 🐛 Soft Locks with Rainbow Tiles
- 🐛 Reward Box Tapping Issue
- 🐛 Inconsistent Star Rating System

**Reported bugs**

- Levels with Missing Obstacles
- Reward Box Tapping Issue
- Inconsistent Star Rating System
- Soft Locks with Rainbow Tiles
- Crashes on Opening

**Requested features**

- Level Editor
- Endless/Survival Mode
- Improved Power-Up Interactions
- Hints or Shuffle Option
- Landscape Support for iPad


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Idle Acorns free?

Idle Acorns costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Simple Match 3 free?

Simple Match 3 costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Idle Acorns or Simple Match 3?

Idle Acorns and Simple Match 3 are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1.2K and 247 ratings respectively.

### Do Idle Acorns or Simple Match 3 have ads?

Neither Idle Acorns nor Simple Match 3 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Idle Acorns or Simple Match 3?

Idle Acorns ships an update every 6 weeks, and Simple Match 3 weekly. Most recently, Idle Acorns was updated on September 30, 2026 and Simple Match 3 on October 1, 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.*