Comparison

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.

Head to head
About

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.

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
Read full description

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!

About

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.

Highlights
  • Link colorful beads
  • Plan satisfying chains
  • Complete strategic goals
  • Earn coins
  • Low-stress puzzle experience
  • Zen Mode for calmer play
Features
Read full description

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

Simple Match 34 screens
Thread and Beads4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Simple Match 3 versus Thread and Beads: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimple Match 3Thread and Beads
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (247 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews90.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings247 — better1
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#38 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size463 MB137 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMulberry Tree Games, LLCTea 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
Show 1 more
  • iCloud Sync Across Devices

Thread and Beads

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Simple Match 3

One-time1
  • Simple Match 3 Gold$1.99
4 purchases

Thread and Beads

One-time4
  • 1,000 Coins$0.99
  • 2,500 Coins$1.99
  • Remove Banner Ads$2.99
Show 1 more
  • 10,000 coins$4.99

Questions

Is Simple Match 3 free?
Simple Match 3 costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Thread and Beads free?
Thread and Beads is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Simple Match 3 or Thread and Beads?
Thread and Beads is rated higher. Simple Match 3 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 247 ratings, while Thread and Beads averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Simple Match 3 or Thread and Beads have ads?
Thread and Beads shows ads; Simple Match 3 does not.
Which is updated more often, Simple Match 3 or Thread and Beads?
Simple Match 3 ships an update weekly, and Thread and Beads every 3 weeks. Most recently, Simple Match 3 was updated on October 1, 2026 and Thread and Beads on September 30, 2026.

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