Comparison

Jelly Defender vs Dots and Boxes

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Jelly Defender

A classic side-scrolling shooter where players aim to eliminate colorful jellyfish. Progress through levels by achieving high scores and unlock bonus points by hitting special starfish. Different jellyfish exhibit unique movement patterns, adding to the challenge.

Highlights
  • Classic side-scrolling gameplay
  • Shoot colorful jellyfish
  • Unlock levels with high scores
  • Bonus starfish for extra points
  • Challenging levels with unique enemy patterns
  • Easy-to-use controls
Features
Read full description

This is a classic side scrolling style game were you have to shoot the jellyfish. The goal of the game is to shoot as many of the jellyfish as you can to unlock the next level and get a high score. Shooting 7 jellyfish in a row without missing releases a bonus starfish that you can shoot for bonus points. When you shoot and miss you lose points. The different colored jellyfish move in different ways which make it more difficult to shoot them. + Colorful jellyfish + Easy to use controls + 40 challenging levels + Sharp shooter bonus starfish

About

Dots and Boxes

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
Read full description

Dots and Boxes is a LIVE, online Multiplayer version of the popular classic board game- Dots & Boxes. This amazing game is a modern take on the pencil-and-paper game that has been a favourite among players all over the world. 

 Objective of the game is to link any 2 dots and close the squares. The player who closes the most number of boxes wins. You and your opponents take turns to connect dots by adding a single horizontal or vertical line between 2 adjacent dots.

 Dots and Boxes: Multiplayer offers you a wide range of game modes including MULTIPLAYER mode where you play against players worldwide. 
PRIVATE mode lets you Create or Join a match with your family and friends. 
OFFLINE mode for keeping you engaged when you are away from the internet.

 Features:

 • Live, Online Multiplayer Dots & Boxes game • Play with gamers all over the world with MULTIPLAYER mode
 • Play PRIVATE game with your friends and family 
• Play OFFLINE turn-based game against the computer • Place your desired BET amounts and win Double Rewards • CHAT Live with opponents while playing
 • Top the Global LEADERBOARD and be the ultimate Champion • Login with FACEBOOK 
• Designed for both smartphones and tablets 
• Suitable for all ages

 If you love playing board games online, you will love Dots and Boxes. A perfect puzzle game for your friends and family. Download and play for Free!

Screenshots

Jelly Defender3 screens
Dots and Boxes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Jelly Defender at 100% against Dots and Boxes's 47%. Jelly Defender also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 8) and ads (none vs shown). Dots and Boxes's advantage is price (Free vs $0.99) and rating (3.7 vs 3.0). On update cadence, device support and iOS requirement 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Dots and Boxes is free to download; Jelly Defender costs $0.99 up front. Dots and Boxes sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Jelly Defender asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dots and Boxes holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dots and Boxes has 23 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of Jelly Defender's written reviews are positive against 47% of Dots and Boxes's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Jelly Defender ships an update every 3 months, Dots and Boxes every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Jelly Defender versus Dots and Boxes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJelly DefenderDots and Boxes
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating3.0 (3 ratings)3.7 (23 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better46.7% of reviews
Number of ratings323 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB94 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMike HempflingCodeHound

Customer experience

Jelly Defender

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Dots and Boxes

All ratings23 ratings
Positive65.2%
Neutral4.3%
Negative30.4%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive46.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative46.7%

In-app purchases

None

Jelly Defender

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

Dots and Boxes

One-time8
  • 10000 Coins$0.99
  • 25000 Coins$1.99
  • 50000 Coins$2.99
Show 5 more
  • 100K Coins$3.99
  • 250K Coins$4.99
  • 95000 Coins$4.99
  • 750K Coins$5.99
  • Remove Ads$9.99

Questions

Is Jelly Defender free?
Jelly Defender costs $0.99, 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, Jelly Defender or Dots and Boxes?
Dots and Boxes is rated higher. Jelly Defender averages 3.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Dots and Boxes averages 3.7 from 23 ratings.
Do Jelly Defender or Dots and Boxes have ads?
Dots and Boxes shows ads; Jelly Defender does not.
Which is updated more often, Jelly Defender or Dots and Boxes?
Jelly Defender ships an update every 3 months, and Dots and Boxes every 2 months. Most recently, Jelly Defender was updated on October 21, 2026 and Dots and Boxes on October 22, 2026.

Other comparisons