# Flow Free vs 2048

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Flow Free at 82% against 2048's 43%. Flow Free also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (401K vs 38K). 2048's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 5 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Flow Free sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and 2048 sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Flow Free holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Flow Free has 401K ratings behind it against 38K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of Flow Free's written reviews are positive against 43% of 2048's.

Flow Free ships an update every 5 months, 2048 every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Flow Free | 2048 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (401K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flow-free/id526641427/reviews)** | [4.4 (38K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/2048/id840919914/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **401K** | 38K |
| Positive reviews | **82.1% of reviews** | 43.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#44** | #126 |
| Size | 66 MB | 221 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Big Duck Games LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/435664937) | [Ketchapp](https://appshunter.io/developer/528065807) |

## What reviewers say

### Flow Free

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flow-free/id526641427)

**Currently charting:** #44 Top Free · Board, #81 Top Grossing · Board, #157 Top Free · Puzzle (US App Store)

Connect matching colored pipes to fill the board without crossing or overlapping. Enjoy hundreds of free levels or challenge yourself in timed modes. This addictive puzzle game offers a relaxing yet engaging experience for all skill levels.

**Highlights:** Connect matching colors with pipes, Fill the entire board, Over 2,500 free levels, Daily puzzles, Time Trial mode, Multiple board sizes, Level packs

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 5 Hints | $0.99 | one-time |
| Green Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Blue Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Purple Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| 10x10 Mania | $1.99 | one-time |
| Starter Bundle | $1.99 | one-time |
| Unlock All Themes | $1.99 | one-time |
| 20 Hints | $2.99 | one-time |
| Unlock All Packs and Remove Ads | $4.99 | one-time |
| 100 Hints | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Relaxing and fun
- 🧠 Challenges the brain
- ⏱️ Good for passing time
- 🔓 No WiFi required
- 💻 Works well on different devices

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Ads can be intrusive
- 💰 Hints/levels can be expensive
- 🤯 Levels can get too difficult
- 🔁 Daily streak issues

**Reported bugs**

- Game freezing or crashing
- Ads getting stuck and preventing progress

**Requested features**

- More challenging levels for older players
- Ability to earn hints through gameplay
- Option to change background color for themes
- Sync progress across devices


### 2048

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/2048/id840919914)

**Currently charting:** #126 Top Free · Board (US App Store)

Merge numbered tiles by swiping to reach the 2048 tile. This fun and relaxing puzzle game challenges you to achieve a high score by strategically combining tiles.

**Highlights:** Swipe to move tiles, Merge tiles with same numbers, Reach 2048 tile, High score challenge, Relaxing puzzle gameplay

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revive 5 Lives | $0.99 | one-time |
| 10 lives (special first purchase) | $0.99 | one-time |
| 10 lives | $2.49 | one-time |
| 15lives | $2.99 | one-time |
| 30 Lives | $3.99 | one-time |
| Remove ads | $7.99 | one-time |
| No-Ads + 25 Lives | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 💡 Challenging and addictive
- 👍 Simple yet engaging concept
- 🕹️ Great time-killer

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Unpredictable tile placement
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 📢 Intrusive and frequent ads
- 🐛 Crashes and bugs

**Reported bugs**

- Leaderboard and high score tracking issues
- Freezing and crashing during gameplay
- Ads interfering with gameplay and audio

**Requested features**

- Undo/rewind functionality
- Customizable themes and styles
- Multiplayer/competitive modes
- Difficulty levels or progressive challenges


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Flow Free free?

Flow Free is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is 2048 free?

2048 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Flow Free or 2048?

Flow Free is rated higher. Flow Free averages 4.8 out of 5 from 401K ratings, while 2048 averages 4.4 from 38K ratings.

### Do Flow Free or 2048 have ads?

Both Flow Free and 2048 show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Flow Free or 2048?

Flow Free ships an update every 5 months, and 2048 every 9 days. Most recently, Flow Free was updated on September 25, 2026 and 2048 on September 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Flow Free or 2048?

Flow Free currently peaks at #44 in the App Store charts, and 2048 at #126. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*