# Alchemy AI vs Elemental Sands

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Alchemy AI at 84% against Elemental Sands's 44%. Alchemy AI also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.2) and ratings volume (415 vs 68). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Alchemy AI sells 56 one-off in-app purchases and Elemental Sands sells 31 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Alchemy AI holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Alchemy AI has 415 ratings behind it against 68, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of Alchemy AI's written reviews are positive against 44% of Elemental Sands's.

Alchemy AI ships an update monthly, Elemental Sands every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Alchemy AI | Elemental Sands |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (415 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alchemy-ai-infinite-elements/id6466730288/reviews)** | [4.2 (68 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elemental-sands/id6474100439/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **415** | 68 |
| Positive reviews | **83.7% of reviews** | 44.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 288 MB | 215 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [HostAIle Games, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1707715766) | [TapTide Interactive](https://appshunter.io/developer/1711698136) |

## What reviewers say

### Alchemy AI

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alchemy-ai-infinite-elements/id6466730288)

Experiment with elements to discover new combinations and craft a vast collection of items. This game offers an infinite crafting experience with advanced mixing mechanics and a puzzle-based approach to discovery. Regular updates add new content and challenges.

**Highlights:** Infinite element crafting, Combine up to four elements, Discover common, rare, epic, and legendary elements, Weekly challenges and events, Puzzle and lab-style gameplay, Regular content updates

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (56)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 5 Hints | $0.99 | one-time |
| 100 Energy | $0.99 | one-time |
| 10 Hints | $0.99 | one-time |
| Recent Discoveries pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| 100 Energy | $1.99 | one-time |
| 25 Hints | $1.99 | one-time |
| 100 Gold | $1.99 | one-time |
| Small set of goods | $1.99 | one-time |
| 10 Hints | $1.99 | one-time |
| 300 Energy | $2.49 | one-time |
| 10 Random elements pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| 2-Hours Unlim Energy | $2.99 | one-time |
| 3 Blueprints | $2.99 | one-time |
| 1-Hour Unlim Energy | $2.99 | one-time |
| Small resource pack | $3.49 | one-time |
| Welcome pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| 25 Hints | $3.99 | one-time |
| 100 Gold | $3.99 | one-time |
| 300 Energy | $4.99 | one-time |
| 250 Gold | $4.99 | one-time |
| Elements Style - Realistic | $4.99 | one-time |
| Compact set of goods | $4.99 | one-time |
| Small resource pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Medium resource pack | $5.49 | one-time |
| Unlock 1 Machine slot | $5.99 | one-time |
| Welcome pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| 10 Blueprints | $5.99 | one-time |
| Starter pack | $6.99 | one-time |
| 50 Hints | $6.99 | one-time |
| Big resource pack | $7.49 | one-time |
| Medium resource pack | $7.99 | one-time |
| No Ads | $8.99 | one-time |
| Pack with 1 legendary element | $9.99 | one-time |
| 250 Gold | $9.99 | one-time |
| Premium Event Pass | $9.99 | one-time |
| 10 Super Charges | $9.99 | one-time |
| Starter pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Medium set of goods | $9.99 | one-time |
| 25 Blueprints | $11.99 | one-time |
| Big resource pack | $11.99 | one-time |
| Beginner pack | $12.49 | one-time |
| 50 Brushes | $12.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Energy | $13.99 | one-time |
| Unlimited energy | $14.99 | one-time |
| Large set of goods | $14.99 | one-time |
| Apprentice pack | $15.49 | one-time |
| 50 Blueprints | $15.99 | one-time |
| 500 Gold | $17.99 | one-time |
| Huge set of goods | $19.99 | one-time |
| Enormous set of goods | $24.99 | one-time |
| 2500 Energy | $27.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate Wildcard Pack | $49.99 | one-time |
| 2500 Gold | $59.99 | one-time |
| 10000 Energy | $89.99 | one-time |
| 5000 Gold | $109.99 | one-time |
| 10000 Gold | $199.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Highly addictive and engaging gameplay
- 🧠 Stimulating and creative merging mechanics
- 🤖 Innovative AI-generated images for elements
- 🏆 Satisfying discovery of first-ever element combinations
- 💡 Endless possibilities with infinite merging

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📺 Excessive and aggressive ad placement
- 🔋 Energy system limits playtime significantly
- 💰 Premium features feel overpriced
- 🐛 Restore purchases feature not working properly
- ⚠️ Potential security concerns with password requests

**Reported bugs**

- Restore purchases not working despite password entry
- Daily bonus rewards not being delivered
- App stuck on loading screen for extended periods
- Ad limit reached preventing further ad watching
- Unable to start over or reset game progress

**Requested features**

- Save file system to reset progress while keeping purchases
- Haptic feedback for better tactile experience
- Unlimited energy purchase option always available
- Discord server for player community connection
- More free ad-watching opportunities


### Elemental Sands

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elemental-sands/id6474100439)

Build and automate a magical business empire in a fantasy world. Harness elemental powers to boost production and profits, collect rare items, and expand your reach to become a legendary CEO. This idle clicker game blends strategy with enchanting visuals.

**Highlights:** Build and automate business empire, Harness elemental power for production, Collect magical items and abilities, Increase company valuation and profits, Explore a fantasy world, Strategic management gameplay

**In-app purchases (31)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 24 Gold | $0.99 | one-time |
| Study Bundle | $2.99 | one-time |
| Enduring Study Bundle | $2.99 | one-time |
| Volatile Study Bundle | $2.99 | one-time |
| Scorching Study Bundle | $2.99 | one-time |
| The Water Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| High Tide Event Pass | $4.99 | one-time |
| Energy Surge Event Pass | $4.99 | one-time |
| The Vitality Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Lifeblood Event Pass | $4.99 | one-time |
| Auto Buy | $4.99 | one-time |
| The Strength Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Heavy Hitters Event Pass | $4.99 | one-time |
| The Nature Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Wild Growth Event Pass | $4.99 | one-time |
| The Electric Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| No Ads Boost | $4.99 | one-time |
| 135 Gold | $4.99 | one-time |
| 310 Gold | $9.99 | one-time |
| Research Bundle | $12.99 | one-time |
| Volatile Research Bundle | $12.99 | one-time |
| Enduring Research Bundle | $14.99 | one-time |
| Scorching Research Bundle | $14.99 | one-time |
| Volatile Proficiency Bundle | $24.99 | one-time |
| 740 Gold | $24.99 | one-time |
| Enduring Proficiency Bundle | $29.99 | one-time |
| Scorching Proficiency Bundle | $29.99 | one-time |
| Mastery Bundle | $49.99 | one-time |
| Scorching Mastery Bundle | $49.99 | one-time |
| Volatile Mastery Bundle | $49.99 | one-time |
| 5200 Gold | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Refreshing free-to-play model
- 🎶 Excellent soundtrack
- 👍 Unique currency system
- 👍 Enjoyable idle gameplay
- 👍 Good aesthetic and art style

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐢 Drastic slowdown in progression
- 📉 Slow early game progression
- 📉 Progression feels stagnant
- 📉 Lack of rewarding progression
- 📉 Very slow and lacking features

**Reported bugs**

- Progress lost twice due to account issues
- App fails to load (tuning transmission frequencies)
- Updates bricked progress
- New patch reset sand capacity and spawn rate
- Game is locked with question marks on start

**Requested features**

- Convert excess sand to vials offline
- Increase level cap
- More content and end goals
- Formal suggestion channel (Discord)
- More mechanics in future updates


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Alchemy AI free?

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

### Is Elemental Sands free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Alchemy AI or Elemental Sands?

Alchemy AI is rated higher. Alchemy AI averages 4.7 out of 5 from 415 ratings, while Elemental Sands averages 4.2 from 68 ratings.

### Do Alchemy AI or Elemental Sands have ads?

Both Alchemy AI and Elemental Sands show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Alchemy AI or Elemental Sands?

Alchemy AI ships an update monthly, and Elemental Sands every 3 weeks. Most recently, Alchemy AI was updated on October 13, 2026 and Elemental Sands on October 17, 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.*