Simple Match 3 vs Thread and Beads
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Simple Match 3
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.
- No ads or subscriptions
- Hundreds of unique tiles
- Customizable appearance
- Daily levels with leaderboards
- Zen Mode for relaxation
- Satisfying visual effects
- Achievements and boosters
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Simple Match 3 is a relaxing and challenging puzzle game with absolutely no ads. Swap tiles and make matches of 3 to clear levels. Unlock hundreds of unique tiles and customize to fit your style. Discover a variety of different elements and mechanics as you progress through the game. Use satisfying boosters and power ups. Unlike most match-3 games, Simple Match 3 was created to give players a relaxing and satisfying experience, without annoying ads, obnoxious effects, or time wasting story elements. FEATURES: No ads: Absolutely no ads or subscription purchases. The base price includes 350 levels, a unique daily level with leaderboard, and zen mode. 1 small in-app purchase unlocks even more. Customization: Customize to your heart’s content with hundreds of different tiles and lots of different background colors. You can even choose the color of the user interface buttons to match your theme! Daily Level: Play a unique level every single day. Try to make it to the top of the online leaderboard! Zen Mode: Relax and make matches with no move limits, no goals, and limited obstacles in Zen Mode. Satisfying experience: Enjoy super satisfying effects as you clear tiles, smash through crates, destroy glass, and more! The effects were created to be satisfying, without being too obnoxious or overwhelming. Achievements: Complete a variety of achievements to unlock more tiles. Boosters: Spin the prize wheel every day to gain boosters. You can also get even more boosters by completing the daily goal. Handcrafted levels: Play through 350 handcrafted levels and try to earn 3 stars. Some levels are simple, others are more challenging. Discover a variety of unique elements as you progress. If you want more, 1 small in app purchase unlocks 350 more levels. Created with love and care: Developed by a single person with care. Levels are designed to be fun, challenging, and satisfying without the need to purchase endless boosters. Download Simple Match 3 today and see what makes it so special!
Thread and Beads
A cozy puzzle game where you link colorful beads to create satisfying chains and achieve goals. Enjoy a low-stress, gentle strategy experience designed for quick sessions or longer play.
- Link colorful beads
- Plan satisfying chains
- Complete strategic goals
- Earn coins
- Low-stress puzzle experience
- Zen Mode for calmer play
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Thread & Beads is a cozy puzzle game about linking colorful beads, planning satisfying chains, and finding a gentle flow. Draw longer chains to earn bigger rewards, complete goals with thoughtful moves, and enjoy a low-stress puzzle experience that feels relaxing without being dull. Whether you want a quick round or a calmer stretch of play, Thread & Beads is designed to be easy to pick up and satisfying to return to. Features: Link colorful beads into satisfying chains Complete goals with thoughtful, strategic play Earn coins as you play Enjoy a cozy, low-stress puzzle experience Play Zen Mode when you want an even calmer pace Settle into short sessions or linger a little longer Thread & Beads is a handmade, casual game built with care for players who love cozy games, gentle strategy, and that lovely little “just one more round” feeling.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Thread and Beads at Free against Simple Match 3's $1.99. Thread and Beads also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Simple Match 3's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (247 vs 1). On 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
Thread and Beads is free to download; Simple Match 3 costs $1.99 up front. Simple Match 3 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Thread and Beads sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Thread and Beads 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 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Simple Match 3 ships an update weekly, Thread and Beads every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Simple Match 3 | Thread and Beads |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (247 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 90.1% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 247 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Best chart rank | #38 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 463 MB | 137 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mulberry Tree Games, LLC | Tea Stained House LLC |
Bugs and requests
Simple Match 3
Reported bugs
5 issues- Levels with Missing Obstacles
- Reward Box Tapping Issue
- Inconsistent Star Rating System
- Soft Locks with Rainbow Tiles
- Crashes on Opening
Requested features
6 requests- Level Editor
- Endless/Survival Mode
- Improved Power-Up Interactions
- Hints or Shuffle Option
- Landscape Support for iPad
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- iCloud Sync Across Devices
Thread and Beads
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Simple Match 3
- Simple Match 3 Gold$1.99
Thread and Beads
- 1,000 Coins$0.99
- 2,500 Coins$1.99
- Remove Banner Ads$2.99
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- 10,000 coins$4.99
Questions
Is Simple Match 3 free?
Is Thread and Beads free?
Which has better reviews, Simple Match 3 or Thread and Beads?
Do Simple Match 3 or Thread and Beads have ads?
Which is updated more often, Simple Match 3 or Thread and Beads?
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