Comparison

The Gardener vs Malcong

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

Head to head
About

The Gardener

Features
Read full description

The Gardener – Catch the Fruit! Fast, cute, and perfect for Apple Watch: In The Gardener, you play as a cheerful gardener catching fruit falling from above—while garden objects bounce the fruit away and make its trajectory unpredictable. How to play: • Move the gardener using the Digital Crown or swipe gestures • Catch as many fruits as you can and beat your high score • It gets faster every round—stay focused! • Watch out for the golden fruit for extra points and a small bonus Highlights: • Short rounds—perfect for quick sessions • Arcade vibes inspired by Space Invaders—but with fruit • Charming sprites and a clean watch-friendly layout • Simple controls and instant fun Tap Start—and go for the high score!

About

Malcong

Features
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Malcong is a little friend you hatch and care for on Apple Watch. Apple Watch is required for hatching, care, and growth. The iPhone companion lets you view your friend, growth records, garden, and collection. Tap your first egg three times on Apple Watch. Feed your friend, play together, and help it rest as you share time on your wrist. Watch it respond to your gentle touch. Discover six families and thirty-six evolution forms. Friends you have raised stay in your garden, where you can choose a companion to spend time with again. Your first egg and its growth are free. Optional additional eggs are purchased in the paired iPhone app. Each purchase grants one consumable egg and is not a subscription. The price is displayed before purchase. No account or login is required. Progress and eggs are stored on your devices. The in-app Start Over action preserves unused purchased eggs, but restoration after deleting the app or replacing your Watch is not guaranteed. Consumed eggs are not granted again. Requires an iPhone with iOS 17 or later and an Apple Watch with watchOS 10 or later. Privacy policy: https://echo-kindness.org/malcong/privacy/en/ Support: support@echo-kindness.org / +82-70-8949-8667

Screenshots

Malcong4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: The Gardener at none against Malcong's 1. The Gardener also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). Malcong's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs monthly). On price, ads and device support 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. Malcong sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. The Gardener asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Gardener ships an update monthly, Malcong every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 3 level
The Gardener versus Malcong: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe GardenerMalcong
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB105 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCARSTEN FREITAGechokindness

In-app purchases

None

The Gardener

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Malcong

One-time1
  • One Egg$0.99

Questions

Is The Gardener free?
The Gardener is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Malcong free?
Malcong is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do The Gardener or Malcong have ads?
Neither The Gardener nor Malcong shows ads.
Which is updated more often, The Gardener or Malcong?
The Gardener ships an update monthly, and Malcong every 2 days. Most recently, The Gardener was updated on October 30, 2026 and Malcong on October 31, 2026.

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