# Dots Classic vs Short Circuits

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Dots Classic at none against Short Circuits's 3. Dots Classic also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 15 months). Short Circuits's advantage is ratings volume (54 vs 4) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.6). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Short Circuits sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Dots Classic asks for nothing beyond the download.

Dots Classic holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Short Circuits has 54 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Dots Classic ships an update every 3 months, Short Circuits every 15 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dots Classic | Short Circuits |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dots-classic-dots-and-boxes/id511759532/reviews)** | [4.8 (54 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/short-circuits/id1136750592/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **54** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 15 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 11 MB | 21 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **8.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alga Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/511759535) | [GammaLateral LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/685178329) |

## What reviewers say

### Dots Classic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dots-classic-dots-and-boxes/id511759532)

Relive the classic paper-and-pencil game on your Apple devices. Connect dots to capture boxes and strategically outmaneuver your opponent in fast-paced matches.

**Highlights:** Connect dots, Capture boxes, Outsmart opponent, Quick matches, Satisfying gameplay

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Short Circuits

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/short-circuits/id1136750592)

A logic puzzle game where players rotate pieces to connect all wires. It offers a progressively challenging experience, starting simple and increasing in difficulty.

**Highlights:** Wire connection puzzles, Piece rotation mechanics, Progressive difficulty, Logic-based gameplay, Challenging levels

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Get 30 Hints | $0.99 | one-time |
| Get 70 Hints | $1.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dots Classic free?

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

### Is Short Circuits free?

Short Circuits is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Dots Classic or Short Circuits?

Dots Classic is rated higher. Dots Classic averages 5.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Short Circuits averages 4.8 from 54 ratings.

### Do Dots Classic or Short Circuits have ads?

Neither Dots Classic nor Short Circuits shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Dots Classic or Short Circuits?

Dots Classic ships an update every 3 months, and Short Circuits every 15 months. Most recently, Dots Classic was updated on November 6, 2026 and Short Circuits on November 13, 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.*