# Number Join vs Dots and Boxes Connect

The clearest difference is rating: Dots and Boxes Connect at 5.0 against Number Join's 4.2. Dots and Boxes Connect also leads on ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Number Join's advantage is ratings volume (202 vs 1). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Number Join sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Dots and Boxes Connect sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Dots and Boxes Connect holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Number Join has 202 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Number Join | Dots and Boxes Connect |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (202 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/number-join-connect-numbers/id603551538/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dots-and-boxes-connect/id1462858760/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **202** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 66.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 11 MB | 98 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **8.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Stanley Lam](https://appshunter.io/developer/453164363) | [Phoenix Mind Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/1396381573) |

## What reviewers say

### Number Join

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/number-join-connect-numbers/id603551538)

A logic puzzle game where you fill in missing numbers sequentially, horizontally or vertically. Features multiple difficulty levels, over 500 puzzles, and helpful tools like a "Check" function to highlight errors. It also tracks your best completion times and offers Game Center achievements.

**Highlights:** Fill missing numbers sequentially, Horizontal and vertical paths only, 5 difficulty levels, Over 500 levels, Highlight wrong numbers function, Auto-save progress, Record best completion times

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Upgrade to Full Version | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🧠 Great mind exercise
- 🧩 Fun and challenging puzzle
- 👍 Intuitive and well-thought-out
- 💡 Satisfying gameplay
- ⏳ Good time passer

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🖱️ Non-intuitive controls
- 📱 UI issues after updates
- 💰 Unclear monetization
- 🖱️ Small and close undo/redo buttons

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes upon opening
- Game crashes during gameplay
- Update issues: game alignment, inaccessible older games
- View mode screwed up, nothing lines up
- Congrats window blocks game

**Requested features**

- More puzzles, larger grids (11x11+)
- Ability to set up puzzles from external sources
- More distinguishing colors for tiles
- A 'backwards mode' for reverse number solving
- Different color tiles for next vs. back numbers


### Dots and Boxes Connect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dots-and-boxes-connect/id1462858760)

This classic strategy game challenges players to connect dots and close squares. Compete against AI or friends in a race to fill more boxes than your opponent. Enjoy addictive gameplay suitable for all ages.

**Highlights:** Multiplayer modes, AI opponents, Simple and classic gameplay, Addictive strategy, Global high-score, Colorful themes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Slight of Coins | $0.99 | one-time |
| Activate Adblock | $1.99 | one-time |
| Fistful Coins | $1.99 | one-time |
| Handful Coins | $2.99 | one-time |
| Batch Coins | $3.99 | one-time |
| Stock Of Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| VIP Membership | $5.99 | one-time |
| Bundle Of Coins | $5.99 | one-time |
| Stack Of Coins | $6.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Number Join free?

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

### Is Dots and Boxes Connect free?

Dots and Boxes Connect is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Number Join or Dots and Boxes Connect?

Dots and Boxes Connect is rated higher. Number Join averages 4.2 out of 5 from 202 ratings, while Dots and Boxes Connect averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Number Join or Dots and Boxes Connect have ads?

Number Join shows ads; Dots and Boxes Connect does not.

### Which is updated more often, Number Join or Dots and Boxes Connect?

Number Join ships an update every 5 months, and Dots and Boxes Connect every 5 months. Most recently, Number Join was updated on November 1, 2026 and Dots and Boxes Connect on November 3, 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.*