Phantolex vs Ballpins
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Phantolex
A unique word game where the objective is to avoid spelling a complete word. Players take turns adding letters, strategically using powers to outmaneuver opponents and progress through challenging, endless levels. Lose, and it's game over.
- Avoid spelling words
- Turn-based letter adding
- Strategic power-ups
- Endless challenging levels
- Unlock rewards
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“Top 5 Games of the Week” – Pocket Gamer “Phantolex is smart, brain-teasing, [and] throws surprises” – Metro.co.uk "Best and freshest [word game] on iPhone” – Stuff.tv Phantolex is a rogue-like word game with a twist: the goal is to avoid spelling the word. Think of it like hot potato - you'll take turns adding letters, but don't be the one to finish the word. As you progress, you'll use powers and face tougher levels, but if you lose, it's game over! How to Play: - Build Words: Take turns against Casp adding letters and avoid being the one to complete a word. - Strategic Powers: Use powers like Letter Rewind, Bluff Stopper, and Word Connoisseur to gain an edge. - Endless Levels: Progress through increasingly challenging levels, unlock rewards, and win a run!
Ballpins
Experience a Zen-inspired Plinko game that blends relaxing visuals with thrilling unpredictability. Watch balls cascade, activate power-ups, and build your score in this tranquil yet captivating experience.
- Zen Mode with soothing visuals and sounds
- Roguelike elements for strategic choices
- Offline play for anytime, anywhere access
- Relaxing atmosphere to unwind
- Lucky Day for thrilling chance-based gameplay
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Welcome to Ballpins, the ultimate Zen-inspired Plinko game that promises a relaxing yet thrilling experience for all gamers. Immerse yourself in a world where each drop is a step towards serenity, blending the unpredictability of a roguelike game with the tranquility of a Zen garden. Ballpins is your perfect companion for a peaceful evening. With its simple yet captivating mechanics, you can watch the balls cascade down, bouncing off pins and activating power-ups, all while building an impressive score multiplier. Key Features: - Zen Mode: Enter a state of calm as you watch the balls glide smoothly across the screen, accompanied by soothing sounds and visuals. - Roguelike Elements: Set your path by choices and strategy. - Offline Accessibility: Play anytime, anywhere, without the need for an internet connection. Perfect for those moments when you need a break from the world. - Relaxing Atmosphere: Designed to help you unwind, the game's aesthetics and soundscapes offer a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. - Lucky Day: Feel the thrill of chance as you aim for the perfect drop, with each game offering the potential for a new high score or a rare power-up. Join the ranks of satisfied players who have found their Zen in the chaotic beauty of Ballpins. It's not just a game; it's a journey to tranquility.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Phantolex at 84% against Ballpins's 0%. Phantolex also leads on ratings volume (100 vs 2). Ballpins's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Ballpins holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Phantolex has 100 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 84% of Phantolex's written reviews are positive against 0% of Ballpins's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Phantolex | Ballpins |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (100 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 84.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 100 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days | Every 2 days |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 85 MB | 121 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tyler Green | Shahar Galukman |
Customer experience
Phantolex
Ballpins
Bugs and requests
Phantolex
Reported bugs
4 issues- Invalid word flagged as completed
- False positive for invalid words
- Win/Defeat bug on run completion
- Ad not working to continue game
Requested features
7 requests- Multiplayer option (1v1)
- Definitions for words
- Portuguese version
- Overrule game's word errors
- More facial expressions for Casp
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- Holiday themes for UI
- Festive characters for holidays
Ballpins
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Phantolex
No in-app purchases
Ballpins
No in-app purchases









