CardsAlone vs Clue Formula
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CardsAlone
Enjoy two unique solitaire games not commonly found in other apps, including Napoleon's Grave and Hexagon. This app offers a simple, accessible experience with VoiceOver support and a one-step undo feature.
- Two unique solitaire games
- Napoleon's Grave game
- Hexagon game
- One-step undo
- VoiceOver accessibility
- No sounds
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CardsAlone is a nice little solitaire app. It features two different games, which are usually not seen in solitaire apps: Napoleon's grave and Hexagon. This app is also totally accessible with VoiceOver. Features - one step undo - no sounds - accessible with VoiceOver
Clue Formula
Engage in a 3D Mahjong puzzle game featuring IQ-test style tiles. Match selectable pairs to clear levels, with increasing difficulty as you progress. Utilize hints and shuffles to aid your gameplay and compete on leaderboards.
- 3D Mahjong puzzle gameplay
- IQ-test style tiles
- Layered 3D levels
- Hint and shuffle options
- Leaderboard competition
- VoiceOver accessibility
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Clue Formula is a 3D Mahjong puzzle with IQ-test style tiles and pattern-matching challenges. Your goal is to complete all levels. In each level, remove all tiles by selecting matching pairs. Not every matching tile can be selected. A tile is selectable only when it is positioned at the end of a row - when there is no neighboring tile on at least one side (left or right) within the same layer. To complete a level, you need to find matching pairs where both tiles are selectable. Each new level becomes more challenging as you advance. A hint can show all selectable matching pairs. A shuffle can rearrange the remaining tiles and help you continue the level. Key Features: 3D Mahjong Puzzle: Match selectable pairs and clear each level. IQ-Test Style Tiles: Match tiles using shapes and symbols. Layered 3D Levels: Look through rows and layers to find selectable matching pairs. Leaderboards: Complete levels and compete for a place on the leaderboards. Accessibility and Device Support: Clue Formula is fully playable with VoiceOver. Clue Formula is fully supported on Mac. Extra hints and extra shuffles are available for purchase.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Clue Formula at Free against CardsAlone's $0.99. Clue Formula also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 18 months) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). CardsAlone's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Clue Formula is free to download; CardsAlone costs $0.99 up front. Clue Formula sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. CardsAlone asks for nothing beyond the download.
Clue Formula holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CardsAlone has 62 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of CardsAlone's written reviews are positive against 100% of Clue Formula's.
CardsAlone ships an update every 18 months, Clue Formula every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CardsAlone | Clue Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (62 ratings) | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 85.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 62 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 18 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Iiro Viitanen | x2line.com LLC |
Customer experience
CardsAlone
Clue Formula
In-app purchases
CardsAlone
No in-app purchases
Clue Formula
- Hint$0.99
- Shuffle$0.99
