# Dots Pipe vs Explode It 3D

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Explode It 3D at none against Dots Pipe's 10. Explode It 3D also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.2). Dots Pipe's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 18 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Dots Pipe sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Explode It 3D asks for nothing beyond the download.

Explode It 3D holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dots Pipe has 49 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Dots Pipe ships an update every 4 months, Explode It 3D every 18 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dots Pipe | Explode It 3D |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (49 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dots-pipe/id592662836/reviews) | **[4.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explode-it-3d/id1554614685/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **49** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 78.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 18 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 10 MB | 172 MB |
| Requires iOS | **4.3** | 11.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Beijing Dianxun Lingdong Tech Co.,Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/513664644) | [Bhanuben Patel](https://appshunter.io/developer/1525685300) |

## What reviewers say

### Dots Pipe

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dots-pipe/id592662836)

Engage in a fun and challenging puzzle experience with numerous levels and varying difficulty. Enjoy beautiful graphics in this pure and simple game.

**Highlights:** Numerous levels, Endless fun, Different difficulty packs, Beautiful graphics

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 5 Hints | $0.99 | one-time |
| 5x5 and 6x6 Pro Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| 7x7 and 8x8 Pro Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| 9x9 and 10x10 Pro Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| 11x11 and 12x12 Pro Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| 13x13 and 14x14 Pro Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| All Pro Packs | $3.99 | one-time |
| 30 Hints | $4.99 | one-time |
| 80 Hints | $9.99 | one-time |
| 200 Hints | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun and challenging game
- 🧠 Keeps the mind occupied
- 🕰️ Good way to pass time
- 🎨 Creative gameplay

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💢 Annoying ads and pop-ups
- 🤯 Overly sensitive controls
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly
- 🤖 Repetitive puzzles

**Reported bugs**

- Puzzles not registering inputs correctly
- App crashes on certain devices

**Requested features**

- Offline mode
- Customizable difficulty levels
- Ability to track progress
- Multiplayer/competitive mode


### Explode It 3D

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explode-it-3d/id1554614685)

Engage in a satisfying demolition experience by strategically placing limited bombs to destroy buildings. Enjoy a visually pleasing destruction simulation.

**Highlights:** Building demolition gameplay, Limited bomb strategy, Satisfying destruction physics, 3D environments

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dots Pipe free?

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

### Is Explode It 3D free?

Explode It 3D is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Dots Pipe or Explode It 3D?

Explode It 3D is rated higher. Dots Pipe averages 4.2 out of 5 from 49 ratings, while Explode It 3D averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do Dots Pipe or Explode It 3D have ads?

Explode It 3D shows ads; Dots Pipe does not.

### Which is updated more often, Dots Pipe or Explode It 3D?

Dots Pipe ships an update every 4 months, and Explode It 3D every 18 months. Most recently, Dots Pipe was updated on November 1, 2026 and Explode It 3D on October 29, 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.*