# Islands in the Stream vs Aym

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Aym at none against Islands in the Stream's 7. Aym also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Islands in the Stream sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Aym asks for nothing beyond the download.

Aym holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Islands in the Stream ships an update every 5 months, Aym every 4 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Islands in the Stream | Aym |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/islands-in-the-stream/id571234122/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aym/id996909899/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **5** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 20 MB | 39 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Stanley Lam](https://appshunter.io/developer/453164363) | [Alessandro Salvioni](https://appshunter.io/developer/981466908) |

## What reviewers say

### Islands in the Stream

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/islands-in-the-stream/id571234122)

A logic puzzle game where you paint grids blue or white following specific island and stream rules. Offers over 500 unique puzzles across three sizes and time trial modes.

**Highlights:** Over 500 unique puzzles, 3 different grid sizes, 3 Time Trial modes, Record best completion times, Hint system for uncompleted islands, Leaderboards for Time Trial

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 5 Hints | $0.99 | one-time |
| Regular Pack 1 (5x5 to 10x10) | $1.99 | one-time |
| Regular Pack 2 (5x5 to 10x10) | $1.99 | one-time |
| 7x7 Mania Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| 10x10 Mania Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Unlock All Packs | $2.99 | one-time |
| 20 Hints | $2.99 | one-time |


### Aym

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aym/id996909899)

Test your reflexes and aim in this minimalist game. Navigate through 999 levels of colored forms across evolving, mysterious worlds. Simple tap controls make it easy to play, while sharing records adds a competitive edge.

**Highlights:** Reflex and sight testing, 999 levels, Minimalist colored forms, Evolving worlds, Simple tap controls, Record sharing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Islands in the Stream free?

Islands in the Stream is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Aym free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Islands in the Stream or Aym?

Aym is rated higher. Islands in the Stream averages 4.6 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Aym averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do Islands in the Stream or Aym have ads?

Both Islands in the Stream and Aym show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Islands in the Stream or Aym?

Islands in the Stream ships an update every 5 months, and Aym every 4 months. Most recently, Islands in the Stream was updated on November 1, 2026 and Aym on November 1, 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.*