Comparison

Puzzle Friend vs Puzzle Pointer

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

Head to head
About

Puzzle Friend

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Puzzle Friend – Keep Your Puzzle Collection Organized Do you love collecting puzzles? Puzzle Friend is your personal puzzle library, made just for you. No more paper lists, messy spreadsheets or accidental double purchases. This app helps you keep track of all your puzzles — simple, clear and completely cloud-free. Perfect for collectors who want to • keep their collection organized and easy to browse • know exactly what they own, what’s missing, and what’s already completed • give away, swap or sell puzzles without losing track • value easy handling, privacy and clear information What Puzzle Friend offers you • All details at a glance: title, brand, piece count, image, condition, notes • Status tracking: not started, completed, swapped or gifted • Multiple photos per puzzle: box, finished image, details • Personal notes and ratings: difficulty, quality, impressions • Powerful filters and stats: find what you’re looking for or rediscover old favorites • Track your puzzle time: see how long you took and whether it’s worth doing again • List or gallery view: pick what suits you best • Local storage only: no account, no cloud, your data stays yours • Export your collection as a PDF backup • Personalize your app: choose your favorite theme For beginners and true collectors • Get started for free — perfect for trying it out • Upgrade to Unlimited anytime — manage unlimited puzzles and keep all features No ads. No forced subscriptions. No unnecessary extras. Just you and your puzzles. Try it now and bring order to your collection.

About

Puzzle Pointer

This app helps you find the correct spot for difficult jigsaw puzzle pieces. Simply photograph a loose piece, and it will show you potential locations on your puzzle's image, rotated to match. It supports a wide range of puzzles and offers a free trial.

Highlights
  • AI-powered piece placement suggestions
  • Scan puzzle box barcodes for quick setup
  • Supports over 10,000 puzzles
  • No account or sign-up required
  • Saves puzzle progress
  • Private photo storage
  • Free trial available
Features
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Stuck on a jigsaw piece? Puzzle Pointer is a jigsaw puzzle solver for the puzzle on your table: snap a photo of the piece and it shows you where to try it on your puzzle's picture, best match first, with the piece turned to match the spot. When puzzlers rate a search, 8 in 10 say the piece fit one of the spots it showed. FOR THE PIECE YOU CAN'T PLACE Sky, water, a busy 1000-piece scene, or one piece you've tried everywhere: Puzzle Pointer narrows a whole puzzle down to a few spots to try. It's for adults and families doing real cardboard puzzles, and for anyone who loves puzzling but not the frustration. FIND YOUR PUZZLE IN SECONDS Scan the barcode on the box: over 10,000 puzzles are ready to go, from Ravensburger, Buffalo Games, Galison, White Mountain, Springbok, Cobble Hill and more. Not in the catalogue? Photograph the box front or search by name. HOW IT WORKS 1. Find your puzzle by barcode, box photo or name. 2. Photograph one loose piece. The camera takes the shot when the piece is sharp and whole. 3. See the best spots to try it, ringed on your puzzle picture, with your piece beside each one, turned the right way. 4. Did it fit? Tap yes, or move to the next spot. WHY PEOPLE USE IT • No ads, ever. • No account or sign-up needed. • Works with the puzzle you already own: no need to photograph the finished picture yourself. • Honest when a piece is hard: plain sky or single-colour pieces get a heads-up before you use a search. • Your puzzles and placed pieces stay saved, so you can pick up where you left off. • Private: your photos are never public, and "Delete my photos & data" in the app removes them. • Share a found piece as a picture card. Some pieces, like plain sky or water, look alike in many places, so you check the fit yourself and move to the next spot if it's not right. FREE TO TRY Up to 10 piece searches free: your first 5 are free, and if a free search's spots don't fit, you get another try. Then buy 10 searches for $2.99 (no subscription), or get unlimited searches with Puzzle Pointer Monthly for $6.99 per month. The subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; manage or cancel it in your Apple Account settings. Prices may vary by region. Privacy Policy: https://puzzlepointer.com/privacy/ Support: https://puzzlepointer.com/support/ Terms of Use: https://puzzlepointer.com/terms/ Apple Standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Puzzle Friend4 screens
Puzzle Pointer4 screens

Verdict

The call

Puzzle Friend and Puzzle Pointer are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Puzzle Friend sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Puzzle Pointer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Puzzle Friend ships an update every 3 days, Puzzle Pointer every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 13, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Puzzle Friend versus Puzzle Pointer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPuzzle FriendPuzzle Pointer
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.117.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJens WieseBobby Landerman

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Puzzle Friend

One-time2
  • Monatliches Abonnement$2.99
  • Jährliches Abonnement$17.99
2 purchases

Puzzle Pointer

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly$6.991 Month
One-time1
  • 10 Search Pack$2.99

Questions

Is Puzzle Friend free?
Puzzle Friend is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Puzzle Pointer free?
Puzzle Pointer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Puzzle Friend or Puzzle Pointer have ads?
Neither Puzzle Friend nor Puzzle Pointer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Puzzle Friend or Puzzle Pointer?
Puzzle Friend ships an update every 3 days, and Puzzle Pointer every 2 days. Most recently, Puzzle Friend was updated on November 5, 2026 and Puzzle Pointer on November 13, 2026.

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