# Play Countdown vs Simple Match Three

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Simple Match Three at none against Play Countdown's 1. Simple Match Three also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs fortnightly) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Play Countdown sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Simple Match Three asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Play Countdown against 5.0 for Simple Match Three. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 4 respectively.

Play Countdown ships an update fortnightly, Simple Match Three every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Play Countdown | Simple Match Three |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-countdown-numbers-game/id6740457474/reviews) | [5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-match-three/id6756855919/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **4** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 11 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Joachim Dorel](https://appshunter.io/developer/1790061652) | [Joe Blough](https://appshunter.io/developer/327018371) |

## What reviewers say

### Play Countdown

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-countdown-numbers-game/id6740457474)

Engage in a daily mental math challenge with a numbers puzzle. Use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to reach a target number using six given numbers. It's a fun way to improve arithmetic skills and keep your mind sharp.

**Highlights:** Daily math puzzles, Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, Whole number results only, Relax Mode (no timer), Progress tracking and trophies, Offline play

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Countdown Extended | $1.99 | one-time |


### Simple Match Three

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-match-three/id6756855919)

Engage in over 100 levels of vibrant puzzle challenges. Swap and match colorful gems to create powerful combos and unwind with this engaging game.

**Highlights:** Over 100 levels, Match gems, Trigger magical combos, Relaxing gameplay

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Play Countdown free?

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

### Is Simple Match Three free?

Simple Match Three is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Play Countdown or Simple Match Three?

Play Countdown and Simple Match Three are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 4 ratings respectively.

### Do Play Countdown or Simple Match Three have ads?

Neither Play Countdown nor Simple Match Three shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Play Countdown or Simple Match Three?

Play Countdown ships an update fortnightly, and Simple Match Three every 3 days. Most recently, Play Countdown was updated on October 17, 2026 and Simple Match Three on October 2, 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.*