# Burstle vs Classic Maelstrom

The clearest difference is ads: Classic Maelstrom at none against Burstle's shown. Classic Maelstrom also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 4 months) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). Burstle's advantage is ratings volume (10 vs 1). On price, rating and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Burstle against 5.0 for Classic Maelstrom. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Burstle has 10 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Burstle ships an update every 4 months, Classic Maelstrom every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Burstle | Classic Maelstrom |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/burstle/id6742336218/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/classic-maelstrom/id6760607912/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **10** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Size | 2 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.1 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Burst Enterprises LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1787832891) | [Sam Lantinga](https://appshunter.io/developer/1885293004) |

## What reviewers say

### Burstle

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/burstle/id6742336218)

Engage in a daily connected word puzzle where solving one word reveals clues for others. The difficulty increases throughout the week, offering a satisfying challenge for word enthusiasts. Track your progress and play at your own pace without timers.

**Highlights:** Daily interconnected word puzzles, Progressive weekly difficulty, Community features for sharing, Progress tracking and streaks, Access to past puzzles, No timers, play at your own pace

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Classic Maelstrom

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/classic-maelstrom/id6760607912)

Experience a fast-paced, retro arcade shooter with classic pixel graphics and authentic sounds. Enjoy cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes, along with modern touch and controller support. Discover hidden secrets and challenge yourself with unique game modes.

**Highlights:** Fast-action gameplay, Classic pixel graphics, Original sounds, Cooperative multiplayer, Competitive multiplayer, Mobile touch controls, Game controller support, Kid Mode

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Burstle free?

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

### Is Classic Maelstrom free?

Classic Maelstrom is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Burstle or Classic Maelstrom?

Burstle and Classic Maelstrom are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 10 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do Burstle or Classic Maelstrom have ads?

Burstle shows ads; Classic Maelstrom does not.

### Which is updated more often, Burstle or Classic Maelstrom?

Burstle ships an update every 4 months, and Classic Maelstrom every 2 days. Most recently, Burstle was updated on November 4, 2026 and Classic Maelstrom on October 31, 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.*