# Mystery Files vs Ms Holmes 4

The clearest difference is ads: Ms Holmes 4 at none against Mystery Files's shown. Mystery Files's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (6K vs 6). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Mystery Files sells 20 one-off in-app purchases and Ms Holmes 4 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Mystery Files holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mystery Files has 6K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 58% of Mystery Files's written reviews are positive against 50% of Ms Holmes 4's.

Mystery Files ships an update fortnightly, Ms Holmes 4 every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mystery Files | Ms Holmes 4 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mystery-files-hidden-objects/id1589094825/reviews)** | [4.3 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ms-holmes-4-dancing-men/id6447066970/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **6K** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | **58.5% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#197** | — |
| Size | 432 MB | 1.2 GB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [DO GAMES LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1542346466) | [Elephant Games AR LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1615019125) |

## What reviewers say

### Mystery Files

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mystery-files-hidden-objects/id1589094825)

**Currently charting:** #197 Top Grossing · Adventure (US App Store)

Engage in free-to-play detective puzzles and brain teasers. Discover hidden objects in various locations and choose from a library of interactive stories and quests. Earn achievements and collect unique items as you unravel mysteries.

**Highlights:** Hidden object puzzles, Point-and-click adventures, Interactive stories, Brain teasers and mini-games, Achievement system, Collectible items

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (20)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A Handful of Coins | $1.99 | one-time |
| Pack of useful things | $1.99 | one-time |
| A Handful of Crystals | $2.99 | one-time |
| A Pouch of Coins | $3.99 | one-time |
| A Pinch of Gems | $3.99 | one-time |
| Handful of useful things | $3.99 | one-time |
| Pack of useful things | $4.99 | one-time |
| Chalice of Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| Currency box | $4.99 | one-time |
| Heap of Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| Heap of Gems | $4.99 | one-time |
| A Handful of Gems | $5.99 | one-time |
| A Pouch of Gems | $6.99 | one-time |
| A Bag of Coins | $7.99 | one-time |
| A Bag of Gems | $7.99 | one-time |
| Bandbox of Coins | $9.99 | one-time |
| Bandbox of Gems | $9.99 | one-time |
| A Chest of Coins | $11.99 | one-time |
| Handful of useful things | $12.99 | one-time |
| Jewelry Box | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Continuous levels
- 👍 No ads
- 👍 Multiple games in one app
- 👍 Challenging puzzles
- 👍 Enjoyable stories

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitches and bugs
- 🐛 Unresponsive controls
- 🐛 Broken hint system
- 🔑 Excessive use of keys/coins to progress
- 🔑 Long wait times for keys

**Reported bugs**

- Puzzles not working as intended
- Scenes/items disappearing or becoming uninteractable
- Game progress being reset or lost
- Crashes and freezes when using in-app purchases

**Requested features**

- More ways to earn hints/coins without paying
- Better instructions for mini-games
- Ability to skip difficult puzzles


### Ms Holmes 4

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ms-holmes-4-dancing-men/id6447066970)

Uncover the mystery of a missing bride by solving puzzles and deciphering cryptic messages. Explore London's streets as a private detective, uncovering family secrets and facing unexpected plot twists. A free trial version offers a glimpse into the full hidden object adventure.

**Highlights:** Solve engaging puzzles, Explore unusual locations, Decipher dancing men ciphers, Find hidden objects, Complete fun mini-games, Unlock bonus chapter content

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Content | $6.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Mystery Files free?

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

### Is Ms Holmes 4 free?

Ms Holmes 4 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Mystery Files or Ms Holmes 4?

Mystery Files is rated higher. Mystery Files averages 4.6 out of 5 from 6K ratings, while Ms Holmes 4 averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.

### Do Mystery Files or Ms Holmes 4 have ads?

Mystery Files shows ads; Ms Holmes 4 does not.

### Which is updated more often, Mystery Files or Ms Holmes 4?

Mystery Files ships an update fortnightly, and Ms Holmes 4 every 9 months. Most recently, Mystery Files was updated on November 1, 2026 and Ms Holmes 4 on October 10, 2026.

---

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