Comparison

Strings vs Pathways

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Word search and connect-the-dots gameplay
  • Challenging vocabulary and spatial puzzles
  • Intuitive interface
  • Multiple topics and themes
  • Mind exercise and word weaving
Features
Read 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

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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

Strings4 screens
Pathways4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Strings versus Pathways: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStringsPathways
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1K ratings)4.8 (26 ratings)
Positive reviews80.5% of reviews90.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1K — better26
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.114.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size70 MB36 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFrostbyte Entertainment LLCWilliam Arbuckle

Customer experience

Strings

All ratings1,016 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral2.2%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews128 reviews
Positive80.5%
Neutral3.9%
Negative15.6%

Pathways

All ratings26 ratings
Positive96.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive90.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative5.0%

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

2 purchases

Strings

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Monthly3 Days trial$2.991 Month
One-time1
  • Remove Ads$4.99
9 purchases

Pathways

One-time9
  • Support Developpment$0.99
  • Support Developpment$1.99
  • Support Developpment$4.99
Show 6 more
  • Pathways PRO$7.99
  • Support Developpment$7.99
  • Support Developpment$9.99
  • Support Developpment$14.99
  • Support Developpment$19.99
  • Support Developpment$29.99

Questions

Is Strings free?
Strings is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pathways free?
Pathways is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Strings or Pathways?
Strings and Pathways are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1K and 26 ratings respectively.
Do Strings or Pathways have ads?
Strings shows ads; Pathways does not.
Which is updated more often, Strings or Pathways?
Strings ships an update every 3 weeks, and Pathways every 2 months. Most recently, Strings was updated on September 30, 2026 and Pathways on July 16, 2026.

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