# Simple Match 3 vs Riddle Zen

The clearest difference is price: Riddle Zen at Free against Simple Match 3's $1.99. Riddle Zen also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and review sentiment (100% vs 90%). Simple Match 3's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (247 vs 3). On update cadence, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Riddle Zen is free to download; Simple Match 3 costs $1.99 up front. Simple Match 3 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Riddle Zen sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Riddle Zen holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simple Match 3 has 247 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of Simple Match 3's written reviews are positive against 100% of Riddle Zen's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and June 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simple Match 3 | Riddle Zen |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.8 (247 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-match-3/id6482984389/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/riddle-zen/id6502377869/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **247** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 90.1% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#50** | — |
| Size | 463 MB | 249 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mulberry Tree Games, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1714124470) | [Admurin Arts](https://appshunter.io/developer/1745254237) |

## What reviewers say

### Simple Match 3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-match-3/id6482984389)

**Currently charting:** #50 Top Paid · Casual, #71 Top Paid · Puzzle (US App Store)

This is a relaxing puzzle game where you swap tiles to make matches of three. Unlock hundreds of unique tiles, customize your game's appearance, and enjoy satisfying effects. It offers a peaceful experience without ads or excessive story elements.

**Highlights:** No ads or subscriptions, Hundreds of unique tiles, Customizable appearance, Daily levels with leaderboards, Zen Mode for relaxation, Satisfying visual effects, Achievements and boosters

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Simple Match 3 Gold | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Best Match 3 Game
- 👍 Calming and Engaging
- 🔒 No Ads or IAPs
- 👍 Customizable Tiles
- 👍 Relaxing Music and Sound Effects

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs in Higher Levels
- 🐛 Impossible Levels Due to Missing Obstacles
- 🐛 Soft Locks with Rainbow Tiles
- 🐛 Reward Box Tapping Issue
- 🐛 Inconsistent Star Rating System

**Reported bugs**

- Levels with Missing Obstacles
- Reward Box Tapping Issue
- Inconsistent Star Rating System
- Soft Locks with Rainbow Tiles
- Crashes on Opening

**Requested features**

- Level Editor
- Endless/Survival Mode
- Improved Power-Up Interactions
- Hints or Shuffle Option
- Landscape Support for iPad


### Riddle Zen

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/riddle-zen/id6502377869)

Engage your mind with hundreds of unique riddles and brain teasers. Progress through different difficulty levels, unlock plants for your Zen garden, and enjoy a peaceful gameplay experience. Test your knowledge in a timed challenge mode.

**Highlights:** Hundreds of unique riddles, Multiple difficulty modes, Zen garden with plant collection, Detailed riddle explanations, Timed 'Quick Play' mode, Peaceful and relaxing theme

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 10 Hearts | $0.99 | one-time |
| Bamboo Plant | $0.99 | one-time |
| Helpful Bundle | $1.99 | one-time |
| No ads | $2.99 | one-time |
| Ario's Mushy | $4.99 | one-time |
| Calming Bundle | $4.99 | one-time |
| Focused Bundle | $9.99 | one-time |
| Mindful Bundle | $19.99 | one-time |
| Neve's Bundle | $19.99 | one-time |
| Sensei Bundle | $39.99 | one-time |
| Enlightened Bundle | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Simple Match 3 free?

Simple Match 3 costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Riddle Zen free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Simple Match 3 or Riddle Zen?

Riddle Zen is rated higher. Simple Match 3 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 247 ratings, while Riddle Zen averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do Simple Match 3 or Riddle Zen have ads?

Riddle Zen shows ads; Simple Match 3 does not.

### Which is updated more often, Simple Match 3 or Riddle Zen?

Simple Match 3 ships an update weekly, and Riddle Zen weekly. Most recently, Simple Match 3 was updated on September 25, 2026 and Riddle Zen on June 29, 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.*