# Dots + Boxes vs Dots and Boxes

The clearest difference is rating: Dots + Boxes at 4.4 against Dots and Boxes's 3.7. Dots + Boxes also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 8) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Dots and Boxes sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Dots + Boxes asks for nothing beyond the download.

Dots + Boxes holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dots + Boxes has 2.4K ratings behind it against 23, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Dots + Boxes's written reviews are positive against 47% of Dots and Boxes's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dots + Boxes | Dots and Boxes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (2.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dots-plus-boxes/id296312126/reviews)** | [3.7 (23 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dots-and-boxes-multiplayer/id1366169655/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.4K** | 23 |
| Positive reviews | **76.5% of reviews** | 46.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 49 MB | 94 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Optime Software LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/289278460) | [CodeHound](https://appshunter.io/developer/1173184098) |

## What reviewers say

### Dots + Boxes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dots-plus-boxes/id296312126)

Enjoy the classic pencil-and-paper game of Dots and Boxes on your mobile device. Challenge a friend or play against the AI in this simple yet engaging puzzle game. Track scores and enjoy customizable gameplay with fun graphics and sound.

**Highlights:** One and two-player modes, Play against AI, Demo mode, Configurable player names, Score tracking, Configurable AI difficulty, Undo function

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple, easy-to-use game
- 🕹️ Fun way to pass time
- 💡 Brings back nostalgic memories
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Great for playing with friends/family

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Lines don't always register correctly
- 🤖 Easy computer opponent
- 🔍 Hard to track computer's last move
- 📱 Small game board size

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on launch for some users
- Redirects to App Store unexpectedly

**Requested features**

- Larger game board sizes
- Harder difficulty levels
- Different color options for players
- Online/multiplayer mode


### Dots and Boxes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dots-and-boxes-multiplayer/id1366169655)

Engage in a classic pencil-and-paper strategy game with this digital multiplayer version. Connect dots to form squares and outscore your opponents in live online matches, private games with friends, or offline against the computer. Bet on matches and climb the global leaderboard.

**Highlights:** Live online multiplayer, Private matches with friends, Offline AI opponent, Betting and rewards, Live chat with opponents, Global leaderboard, Facebook login

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 10000 Coins | $0.99 | one-time |
| 25000 Coins | $1.99 | one-time |
| 50000 Coins | $2.99 | one-time |
| 100K Coins | $3.99 | one-time |
| 250K Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| 95000 Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| 750K Coins | $5.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dots + Boxes free?

Dots + Boxes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Dots and Boxes free?

Dots and Boxes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Dots + Boxes or Dots and Boxes?

Dots + Boxes is rated higher. Dots + Boxes averages 4.4 out of 5 from 2.4K ratings, while Dots and Boxes averages 3.7 from 23 ratings.

### Do Dots + Boxes or Dots and Boxes have ads?

Dots and Boxes shows ads; Dots + Boxes does not.

### Which is updated more often, Dots + Boxes or Dots and Boxes?

Dots + Boxes ships an update every 2 months, and Dots and Boxes every 2 months. Most recently, Dots + Boxes was updated on October 10, 2026 and Dots and Boxes on October 5, 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.*