# Sherlock ULTRA vs Clockmaker

The clearest difference is price: Clockmaker at Free against Sherlock ULTRA's $3.99. Clockmaker also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 12 months) and ratings volume (185K vs 31). Sherlock ULTRA's advantage is review sentiment (82% vs 43%) and in-app purchases (none vs 14). On rating and device support there is nothing between them.

Clockmaker is free to download; Sherlock ULTRA costs $3.99 up front. Clockmaker sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Sherlock ULTRA asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Sherlock ULTRA against 4.6 for Clockmaker. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Clockmaker has 185K ratings behind it against 31, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 82% of Sherlock ULTRA's written reviews are positive against 43% of Clockmaker's.

Sherlock ULTRA ships an update every 12 months, Clockmaker fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 22, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sherlock ULTRA | Clockmaker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.6 (31 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sherlock-ultra/id616119868/reviews)** | [4.6 (185K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clockmaker-match-3-puzzles/id929195587/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 31 | **185K** |
| Positive reviews | **82.4% of reviews** | 43.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#115** |
| Size | 7 MB | 518 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Everett Kaser Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/383644089) | [Samfinaco LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1143580778) |

## What reviewers say

### Sherlock ULTRA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sherlock-ultra/id616119868)

Engage your deductive reasoning with a digital logic puzzle game. Solve intricate 4x4, 5x5, or 6x6 grids by deciphering graphical clues to determine the exact placement of images. With thousands of unique puzzles, it offers endless brain-training challenges.

**Highlights:** Logic grid puzzles, Graphical clue system, Multiple grid sizes (4x4, 5x5, 6x6), Thousands of unique puzzles, Deductive reasoning challenges

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🧠 Excellent logic and brain training
- ⏳ Long-time fan favorite
- ✨ Addictive and fun gameplay
- 👴 Nostalgic appeal
- 👍 Simple yet challenging

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 📉 Game freezes
- 🖱️ Touch interface issues
- 💸 In-app purchases required
- 🖼️ Archaic graphics

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes after ~100 puzzles, requires reinstall
- App crashes when loading certain puzzle sizes (4x4, 5x5)
- App crashes when moving to another puzzle
- Game crashes around puzzle 676
- App won't load or closes immediately

**Requested features**

- List of characters (Sherlock, Watson, etc.)
- Improved graphics (optional)
- More puzzle games from developer
- Moriarty game on iOS
- More varied tile sets and clue variety


### Clockmaker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clockmaker-match-3-puzzles/id929195587)

**Currently charting:** #115 Top Grossing · Simulation, #145 Top Grossing · Puzzle (US App Store)

Embark on an adventure to break an evil curse by solving addictive match-3 puzzles. Uncover secrets, travel the world with heroes, and compete in unique tournaments. Enjoy a mystery-filled story with thousands of levels, playable both online and offline.

**Highlights:** Addicting match-3 gameplay, Mystery and riddle solving, World travel and adventure, Weekly in-game events, Online and offline play, Player tournaments

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Сheapest Offer to Start! | $0.99 | one-time |
| Resource Offer 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Visitor's Kit | $2.99 | one-time |
| Resource Offer 3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Bag of Rubies | $4.99 | one-time |
| Resource Offer 5 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Gold Pass | $6.99 | one-time |
| Citizen's Stockpile | $6.99 | one-time |
| Clock Safe | $8.99 | one-time |
| Sack of Rubies | $9.99 | one-time |
| Watchman's Cache | $14.99 | one-time |
| Box of Rubies | $19.99 | one-time |
| Councilor's Bundle | $34.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Beautiful graphics
- 🕹️ Challenging gameplay
- 🕰️ Engaging storyline and characters
- ⏱️ Generous with free playtime rewards

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
- 🤖 Levels too difficult without boosts
- 📺 Excessive ads and pop-ups
- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- ⏳ Slow progress without spending money

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashing and freezing issues
- Ads causing the game to become unresponsive
- Rewards not being properly credited

**Requested features**

- Pause button for free playtime rewards
- More ways to earn in-game currency without spending
- Better balance between difficulty and progression


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sherlock ULTRA free?

Sherlock ULTRA costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Clockmaker free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Sherlock ULTRA or Clockmaker?

Sherlock ULTRA is rated higher. Sherlock ULTRA averages 4.6 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while Clockmaker averages 4.6 from 185K ratings.

### Do Sherlock ULTRA or Clockmaker have ads?

Clockmaker shows ads; Sherlock ULTRA does not.

### Which is updated more often, Sherlock ULTRA or Clockmaker?

Sherlock ULTRA ships an update every 12 months, and Clockmaker fortnightly. Most recently, Sherlock ULTRA was updated on October 22, 2026 and Clockmaker on October 22, 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.*