Comparison

ContraBee vs Spell Drops

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

ContraBee

This app offers a daily word puzzle using the same letter hive as the New York Times Spelling Bee. It challenges players to find words without using the required center letter, encouraging a different approach to word discovery.

Highlights
  • Daily word puzzles
  • Uses NYT Spelling Bee letter hive
  • Excludes center letter
  • Encourages alternative word finding
  • Unique puzzle twist
Features
Read full description

ContraBee is a complement to each day’s official New York Times Spelling Bee. It uses the same hive as each day’s Spelling Bee, but with a twist: Instead of requiring the center letter, Contra Bee excludes it. You’ll be surprised at how many words you can find if you turn your mind upside down.

About

Spell Drops

This word puzzle adventure combines quick reflexes with strategic letter dropping to spell words before time runs out. Navigate challenging levels with moving obstacles and limited space, requiring fast thinking and precise actions to succeed.

Highlights
  • Addictive word-building and timing gameplay
  • Challenging levels with obstacles
  • Strategic letter dropping mechanics
  • Satisfying visuals and effects
  • Easy to learn, hard to master
Read full description

SpellDrops is a unique word-puzzle adventure that blends quick reflexes with brainy fun. Your goal? Drop letters into the right place while avoiding moving obstacles — and spell the correct word before time runs out! Every level brings new challenges: shifting platforms, sneaky traps, and limited space for your letters. Think fast, act faster — one wrong drop and your perfect word will crumble! Features: Addictive Gameplay – A mix of word-building and timing skill. Challenging Levels – Avoid obstacles and master tricky patterns. Smart Word Mechanics – Drop letters strategically to complete words. Satisfying Visuals & Effects – Smooth animations and rewarding feedback. Easy to Play, Hard to Master – Perfect for quick sessions or long play streaks. Whether you’re a word lover or an arcade pro, SpellDrops will keep you hooked as you chase your next perfect word!

Screenshots

ContraBee3 screens
Spell Drops4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Spell Drops at 5.0 against ContraBee's 4.0. Spell Drops also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 weeks). ContraBee's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Spell Drops sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. ContraBee asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Spell Drops holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ContraBee ships an update every 2 weeks, Spell Drops weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
ContraBee versus Spell Drops: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterContraBeeSpell Drops
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (4 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews23.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB370 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLexi Games LLCNinjazz Entertainment

Customer experience

ContraBee

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive23.8%
Neutral14.3%
Negative61.9%

Spell Drops

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

ContraBee

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Spell Drops

One-time10
  • Aura Trail$1.99
  • Void Trail$1.99
  • Green Laser Trail$1.99
Show 7 more
  • Power Beam Trail$1.99
  • Fire Trail$1.99
  • Water Trail$1.99
  • Black Hole Trail$1.99
  • Smoke Trail$1.99
  • Unstable Trail$1.99
  • Remove Ads$9.99

Questions

Is ContraBee free?
ContraBee is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Spell Drops free?
Spell Drops is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ContraBee or Spell Drops?
Spell Drops is rated higher. ContraBee averages 4.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Spell Drops averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do ContraBee or Spell Drops have ads?
Spell Drops shows ads; ContraBee does not.
Which is updated more often, ContraBee or Spell Drops?
ContraBee ships an update every 2 weeks, and Spell Drops weekly. Most recently, ContraBee was updated on October 2, 2026 and Spell Drops on October 7, 2026.

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