# Bubble Match vs Chain 3!

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Bubble Match at none against Chain 3!'s 11. Bubble Match also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 13.0). Chain 3!'s advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (3.5K vs 1). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Chain 3! sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Bubble Match asks for nothing beyond the download.

Bubble Match holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chain 3! has 3.5K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of Bubble Match's written reviews are positive against 54% of Chain 3!'s, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Bubble Match ships an update every 6 months, Chain 3! every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bubble Match | Chain 3! |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bubble-match-lite/id506234506/reviews)** | [4.6 (3.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chain-3/id1672266297/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **3.5K** |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **54.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 13 MB | 174 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [GASP Mobile Games Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/502025155) | [Voodoo](https://appshunter.io/developer/714804730) |

## What reviewers say

### Bubble Match

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bubble-match-lite/id506234506)

A classic match-three puzzle game where you click adjacent bubbles of the same color to remove them. Score points by clearing groups, but be mindful of the time and avoid running out of space to win.

**Highlights:** Match-three gameplay, Adjacent bubble removal, Scoring system, Time-based challenges, Classic puzzle mechanics, Small download size

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Chain 3!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chain-3/id1672266297)

Connect chains of the same color to crush them in this original match puzzle game. Strategize your moves to achieve objectives before time runs out, utilizing powerful boosters and combos to clear the board. Embark on a journey to become the top player worldwide.

**Highlights:** Original chain matching gameplay, Connect same-colored chains, Strategic move planning, Boosters and combos, Multiple levels, Objective-based challenges

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tiny Coin Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Mini Offer | $2.99 | one-time |
| Small Offer | $4.99 | one-time |
| Flash Sale | $6.99 | one-time |
| No Ads | $7.99 | one-time |
| Small Coin Pack | $7.99 | one-time |
| No Ads Bundle | $9.99 | one-time |
| Medium Coin Pack | $14.99 | one-time |
| BIG Coin Pack | $29.99 | one-time |
| SUPER Coin Pack | $54.99 | one-time |
| MEGA Coin Pack | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great game
- 💥 Fascinating
- 🎨 Different and cool
- 🕹️ Fun and exciting

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitchy and freezes
- 🔍 Partially covered board
- 💰 Too expensive
- 🔇 No sound effects

**Reported bugs**

- Stuck on level 16 with no balloons
- Booster box causes game to freeze
- Inability to move forward on certain levels

**Requested features**

- Add sound effects
- Ability to save progress
- More challenging levels


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bubble Match free?

Bubble Match is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Chain 3! free?

Chain 3! is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Bubble Match or Chain 3!?

Bubble Match is rated higher. Bubble Match averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Chain 3! averages 4.6 from 3.5K ratings.

### Do Bubble Match or Chain 3! have ads?

Both Bubble Match and Chain 3! show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Bubble Match or Chain 3!?

Bubble Match ships an update every 6 months, and Chain 3! every 10 days. Most recently, Bubble Match was updated on June 1, 2026 and Chain 3! on September 24, 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.*