# Texas 42 vs Spades

The clearest difference is rating: Spades at 4.7 against Texas 42's 2.8. Spades also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (2.5K vs 83). Texas 42's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Texas 42 sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Spades asks for nothing beyond the download.

Spades holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spades has 2.5K ratings behind it against 83, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 34% of Texas 42's written reviews are positive against 45% of Spades's.

Texas 42 ships an update every 3 weeks, Spades monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Texas 42 | Spades |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (83 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/texas-42/id537029259/reviews) | **[4.7 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spades/id872912030/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 83 | **2.5K** |
| Positive reviews | 34.4% of reviews | **45.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Paid | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 13 MB | 55 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mike Emery](https://appshunter.io/developer/537029262) | [fishdog.net](https://appshunter.io/developer/337519299) |

## What reviewers say

### Texas 42

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/texas-42/id537029259)

Experience the official domino game of Texas, a trick-taking card game. This app features an advanced AI with customizable play styles for a challenging and realistic opponent. Enjoy a traditional game with modern, intelligent gameplay.

**Highlights:** Official Texas 42 domino game, Advanced AI opponent, Customizable AI play styles (Conservative, Normal, Aggressive), Realistic trick-taking gameplay, Traditional domino game experience

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Customize your Domino | $0.99 | one-time |
| Customize your table logo | $0.99 | one-time |
| Use black pips instead of colored | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good for learning 42
- 👍 Realistic AI opponents
- 👍 Fun and challenging gameplay
- 👍 Good graphics and game flow
- 👍 Best 42 app available

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😞 Frustrating AI partner
- 😞 Frequent multiplayer issues
- 😞 Game crashes/freezes often
- 😞 AI plays illogically
- 😞 Opponents seem biased

**Reported bugs**

- Constant disconnects in multiplayer
- Screen locks up during play
- Computer opponents don't follow house rules
- Multiplayer glitches out
- App freezes or glitches with multiplayer

**Requested features**

- Add undo option
- Add replay game option
- Add manual tile selection
- Add statistics tracking
- Add tutorial mode


### Spades

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spades/id872912030)

A digital adaptation of the classic trick-taking card game. Play solo or with partners, bidding on the number of tricks you can win. Customize game rules, opponent difficulty, and visual elements.

**Highlights:** 3 or 4 player solo modes, 4 player partnership mode, Customizable bid and lead rules, Adjustable AI opponent aggression, Table and card appearance customization, In-app instructions

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast game play
- 👍 Minimal advertisements
- 👍 Good graphics
- 💡 Helps keep mind sharp

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Partner doesn't understand nil bids
- 🐛 Partner overbids frequently
- 🐛 Partner doesn't protect nil bids
- 🐛 Partner makes poor card plays
- 🐛 Inconsistent in counting books

**Reported bugs**

- Scoring discrepancies
- Cards blocked by ads
- Freezing on last card
- Sounds always on after update

**Requested features**

- Allow confirmation for bidding entry box
- Automatic play for last card in suit
- Implement bid 10 get 200 feature


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Texas 42 free?

Texas 42 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Spades free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Texas 42 or Spades?

Spades is rated higher. Texas 42 averages 2.8 out of 5 from 83 ratings, while Spades averages 4.7 from 2.5K ratings.

### Do Texas 42 or Spades have ads?

Spades shows ads; Texas 42 does not.

### Which is updated more often, Texas 42 or Spades?

Texas 42 ships an update every 3 weeks, and Spades monthly. Most recently, Texas 42 was updated on October 23, 2026 and Spades on October 26, 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.*