# Shells vs Licky Thief

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Licky Thief at none against Shells's 4. Licky Thief also leads on ads (none vs shown). Shells's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Shells sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Licky Thief asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Shells against 5.0 for Licky Thief. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22 and 15 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Shells ships an update weekly, Licky Thief every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shells | Licky Thief |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shells-nested-block-puzzle/id6661020395/reviews) | [5.0 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/licky-thief/id6777189563/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **22** | 15 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 102 MB | 612 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [arlybird games LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1764665157) | [MassDiGI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1251547083) |

## What reviewers say

### Shells

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shells-nested-block-puzzle/id6661020395)

A geometry puzzle game where you slide blocks into larger shells to rearrange the board and solve challenges. It offers over 360 levels across 8 worlds with a focus on spatial reasoning and problem-solving. Enjoy a relaxing experience with a soothing soundtrack.

**Highlights:** Nested block sliding mechanics, Over 360 original levels, 8 distinct game worlds, Optional hint system, Soothing piano soundtrack, Compact 4x4 grid gameplay

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Bundle | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Bundle | $1.99 | one-time |
| Large Bundle | $3.99 | one-time |
| Unlimited Bundle | $8.99 | one-time |


### Licky Thief

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/licky-thief/id6777189563)

Use your tongue as a grappling hook to navigate challenging levels, solve puzzles, and retrieve stolen heirlooms. This action puzzle platformer offers dynamic gameplay and a unique experience for players of all ages.

**Highlights:** Tongue grappling hook mechanic, Tricky puzzle solving, Avoid dangerous obstacles, 10+ dynamic levels, Unlockable badges, Groovy soundtrack

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shells free?

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

### Is Licky Thief free?

Licky Thief is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Shells or Licky Thief?

Shells and Licky Thief are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 22 and 15 ratings respectively.

### Do Shells or Licky Thief have ads?

Shells shows ads; Licky Thief does not.

### Which is updated more often, Shells or Licky Thief?

Shells ships an update weekly, and Licky Thief every 2 weeks. Most recently, Shells was updated on September 30, 2026 and Licky Thief on October 3, 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.*