# Backpack Merge vs Matchstick Plus

The clearest difference is ads: Backpack Merge at none against Matchstick Plus's shown. Matchstick Plus's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 6 weeks). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Backpack Merge sells 44 one-off in-app purchases and Matchstick Plus sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Backpack Merge ships an update every 6 weeks, Matchstick Plus every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backpack Merge | Matchstick Plus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (119 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backpack-merge/id6566180728/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **119** | — |
| Positive reviews | 25.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 231 MB | 31 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [伟 王](https://appshunter.io/developer/1403717237) | [Mahmut Bedir](https://appshunter.io/developer/1537828159) |

## What reviewers say

### Backpack Merge

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backpack-merge/id6566180728)

Merge magical equipment and strategically organize your backpack to defend a peaceful academy from a monster invasion. Become the legendary Archmage and discover diverse combat strategies through talented equipment combinations.

**Highlights:** Merge equipment, Organize backpack, Defend from monsters, Diverse strategies, Talented equipment combinations

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (44)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Package47 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Some Gems | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package65 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package54 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package61 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package33 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package40 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package26 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package9 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package11 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Package27 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Package71 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package72 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package144 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package141 | $4.99 | one-time |
| A small pile of gems | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package7 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package12 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package28 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package35 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package21 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Package76 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Package80 | $7.99 | one-time |
| Package81 | $7.99 | one-time |
| Package86 | $8.99 | one-time |
| Package84 | $8.99 | one-time |
| Package181 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package90 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package43 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package50 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package14 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package36 | $9.99 | one-time |
| A large pile of gems | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package22 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package8 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package10 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package13 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Package204 | $14.99 | one-time |
| Package102 | $15.99 | one-time |
| Package103 | $15.99 | one-time |
| Package23 | $19.99 | one-time |
| A bag of gems | $19.99 | one-time |
| Package44 | $19.99 | one-time |
| Package24 | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Engaging and addictive gameplay mechanics
- 🎨 Attractive art style and visual design
- 🧠 Strategic depth with resource management
- ⚡ Active developer support with regular patches
- 🎯 Unique backpack/inventory management concept

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📺 Excessive ad frequency and duration (90+ seconds)
- 💰 Extremely high monetization and pay-to-win mechanics
- 🐛 Frequent server connection errors and crashes
- ⚠️ Ads frequently fail to load properly
- ⚖️ Severe game balance issues (weak weapons, overpowered enemies)

**Reported bugs**

- Ads fail to load or display (critical issue affecting rewards)
- Server connection errors and timeouts
- Insufficient items equipped error blocking stage progression
- Stamina randomly drains after server errors
- Login failures with Facebook and Apple ID

**Requested features**

- Add German language support
- Add Ukrainian and Russian language options
- Add Google ID login option for iOS
- Reduce ad frequency and duration
- Implement alternative monetization model


### Matchstick Plus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/matchstick-plus/id6751974481)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 10 Coins Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| 50 Coins Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| 100 Coins Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads Forever | $14.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Backpack Merge free?

Backpack Merge is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Matchstick Plus free?

Matchstick Plus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Backpack Merge or Matchstick Plus have ads?

Matchstick Plus shows ads; Backpack Merge does not.

### Which is updated more often, Backpack Merge or Matchstick Plus?

Backpack Merge ships an update every 6 weeks, and Matchstick Plus every 3 days. Most recently, Backpack Merge was updated on October 16, 2026 and Matchstick Plus on October 8, 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.*