Strings vs Pathways
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Strings
This word search game offers a unique twist by challenging players to create interconnected word strands by tracing paths through a letter grid. It combines vocabulary and spatial reasoning for an engaging puzzle experience with various themes.
- Word search and connect-the-dots gameplay
- Challenging vocabulary and spatial puzzles
- Intuitive interface
- Multiple topics and themes
- Mind exercise and word weaving
Read full descriptionHide full description
Looking for challenging word games that go beyond the ordinary? Discover Strings, the innovative word search game that strands together vocabulary and strategy in an entirely new way. Unlike traditional word games or crosswords, Strings challenges you to create intricate strands of interconnected words by tracing paths through a letter grid. Each puzzle becomes a web of possibilities as you connect letters to discover words hiding in plain sight. Key Features: - Unique blend of word search and connect-the-dots gameplay - Challenging puzzles that test both vocabulary and spatial skills - Beautiful, intuitive interface that makes word finding feel natural - Different topics and themes to keep the challenges fresh Exercise your mind and discover the satisfaction of weaving words together. Whether you're a casual player or a word game enthusiast, Strings offers a fresh take on vocabulary puzzles that will keep you coming back for more. Download Strings today and start creating your own path through the world of words! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Support: hello@frostbyteentertainment.com
Pathways
A minimalist logic puzzle game where players guide a dot to its home space by drawing colored paths. It offers increasing difficulty levels and daily challenges, with an option for advanced features like custom level creation.
- Draw colored paths to guide a dot
- Solve spatial reasoning puzzles
- Progress through increasing grid sizes
- Daily timed puzzles with score sharing
- Create and share custom levels
- No ads, playable offline
Read full descriptionHide full description
Pathways is a spatial reasoning logic puzzle with a clean, minimalist design. The goal is simple: move the dot home! How it works: -Each grid has one dot, and one home space -The dot can only move to colored spaces -Use tabs on the side of the grid to draw paths of color -Retract and redraw paths as necessary -Move that dot home! Easy to learn, difficult to master -Start with 3x4 grids to learn the ropes -Up the challenge with 4x4 grids -Put yourself to the real test with 4x5 grids Daily Puzzles -Timed puzzles, share your score with friends -Puzzles increase in difficulty throughout the week -Build your streak! Pathways PRO -Access all packs (375 puzzles + future packs) -Access Daily Puzzle archive to play old puzzles (100+ Daily Puzzles) -Create your own levels, share with friends and/or submit to Pathways to be featured Why Pathways? -Clean, minimalistic design -Simple rules, yet challenging solutions -No ads, no wifi required Up for the challenge? Download Pathways today!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Pathways at none against Strings's shown. Pathways also leads on review sentiment (90% vs 80%). Strings's advantage is ratings volume (1K vs 26) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Strings sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Pathways sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Strings against 4.8 for Pathways. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Strings has 1K ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of Strings's written reviews are positive against 90% of Pathways's.
Strings ships an update every 3 weeks, Pathways every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and July 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Strings | Pathways |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (1K ratings) | 4.8 (26 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 80.5% of reviews | 90.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1K — better | 26 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 70 MB | 36 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Frostbyte Entertainment LLC | William Arbuckle |
Customer experience
Strings
Pathways
Bugs and requests
Strings
Reported bugs
3 issues- Tap action issues (too sensitive or unresponsive)
- Incompatibility with older devices
- Grid/puzzle size issues on smaller screens
Requested features
3 requests- List of all available games
- Ability to restart all puzzles
- Dark mode option
Pathways
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Strings
- Premium Monthly3 Days trial$2.991 Month
- Remove Ads$4.99
Pathways
- Support Developpment$0.99
- Support Developpment$1.99
- Support Developpment$4.99
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- Pathways PRO$7.99
- Support Developpment$7.99
- Support Developpment$9.99
- Support Developpment$14.99
- Support Developpment$19.99
- Support Developpment$29.99









