# Square Valley vs Simple Match 3

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Square Valley at none against Simple Match 3's 1. Simple Match 3's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $2.99). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Square Valley costs $2.99 and Simple Match 3 $1.99 up front. Simple Match 3 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Square Valley asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Square Valley against 4.8 for Simple Match 3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 93 and 247 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 85% of Square Valley's written reviews are positive against 90% of Simple Match 3's.

Square Valley ships an update every 2 weeks, Simple Match 3 weekly. Both last shipped on October 17, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Square Valley | Simple Match 3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **$1.99** |
| Rating | [4.8 (93 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/square-valley/id1609779877/reviews) | [4.8 (247 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-match-3/id6482984389/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 93 | **247** |
| Positive reviews | 84.6% of reviews | **90.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #156 | **#71** |
| Size | 125 MB | 463 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ryan Becijos](https://appshunter.io/developer/1609779879) | [Mulberry Tree Games, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1714124470) |

## What reviewers say

### Square Valley

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/square-valley/id1609779877)

**Currently charting:** #156 Top Paid · Board (US App Store)

Shape unique lands by strategically placing tiles like houses, farms, and natural elements. Connect them with roads and rivers while overcoming placement challenges. Progress through levels to unlock new tiles and face increasingly complex world-building puzzles.

**Highlights:** Tile placement for world creation, Connect tiles with roads and rivers, Strategic planning and puzzle solving, Three chapters with 45 levels, Unlock new tiles and overcome obstacles, Replay levels for higher scores, Sandbox mode for custom experiences

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Engaging tile placement puzzle mechanics
- 🎵 Relaxing and pleasant background music
- 🎨 Beautiful minimalist art style and visuals
- 😌 Calming and stress-relieving gameplay
- 💰 No ads or in-app purchases

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❓ Unclear tile descriptions and requirements
- 🎲 High randomness can lead to unwinnable scenarios
- 📊 No real-time score feedback during gameplay
- 🐛 Occasional scoring calculation bugs
- 📱 Portrait-only mode (no landscape on iPad)

**Reported bugs**

- Leaderboard freezes when displaying top 10 scores
- Tile scoring miscalculations (e.g., Cherry Orchard, Fir Grove)
- Tutorial bug where selected tiles change unexpectedly
- Some tiles don't work as described in requirements
- Scoring feedback unclear until level completion

**Requested features**

- More levels and chapters
- Landscape/iPad support with larger maps
- iCloud synchronization across devices
- Real-time score feedback per tile placement
- Glossary with detailed tile explanations


### Simple Match 3

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

**Currently charting:** #71 Top Paid · Casual, #92 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 Square Valley free?

Square Valley costs $2.99, 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, Square Valley or Simple Match 3?

Square Valley and Simple Match 3 are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 93 and 247 ratings respectively.

### Do Square Valley or Simple Match 3 have ads?

Neither Square Valley nor Simple Match 3 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Square Valley or Simple Match 3?

Square Valley ships an update every 2 weeks, and Simple Match 3 weekly. Most recently, Square Valley was updated on October 17, 2026 and Simple Match 3 on October 17, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Square Valley or Simple Match 3?

Square Valley currently peaks at #156 in the App Store charts, and Simple Match 3 at #71. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*