Comparison

Chainpop vs Gleamworks

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

Head to head
About

Chainpop

A relaxing puzzle game where you trigger chain reactions to clear bubbles with limited taps. Enjoy endless retries and helpful daily bonuses without pressure.

Highlights
  • Chain reaction gameplay
  • Limited taps per level
  • Unlimited retries
  • Daily bonus tools (skip, hint, extra tap)
  • Calm and stress-free experience
  • Offline play
Features
Read full description

Chainpop is a simple puzzle game built around chain reactions. Tap a bubble, and it pops, sending out a ripple that hits nearby bubbles and sets off a cascade across the board. Your goal is to clear every bubble using only a limited number of taps. There are no lives to run out of and no “come back in 30 minutes” when a level doesn’t go your way. You can retry as many times as you want, right away. Some levels click immediately. Others take a few tries to figure out. And if you’re really stuck, you’ve got tools to help: bonus taps, a skip, or a hint. One of each refreshes for free every day — and if you want more, you can grab a few extra. No waiting around or watching an ad to keep playing. No matter how long a level takes, there’s a satisfying moment when the solution finally clicks. Chainpop is made for those little in-between moments: on the train, in a waiting room, or while winding down before bed. Pick it up, solve a level or two, and come back whenever you want. It’s a puzzle game that gives your brain something to do without feeling stressful.

About

Gleamworks

Guide beams of colored light through an intricate grid of optical pieces by rotating mirrors, splitters, and filters. Solve logic puzzles with no timers or move limits, at your own pace. Features additive color mixing and a colorblind-friendly mode.

Highlights
  • 250 handcrafted puzzles
  • 6 unique piece types
  • Additive color mixing
  • No timers or move limits
  • Offline play
  • Colorblind-friendly mode
Features
Read full description

Direct beams of colored light through an intricate grid of optical pieces. Rotate mirrors, splitters, filters, portals, and combiners to guide every beam to its matching receiver. Gleamworks is a thoughtful puzzle game built around light, color, and precision. Each level places every piece on the board — your job is to find the right rotation for each one. No guessing, no inventory management, just clean logic. FEATURES - 250 handcrafted puzzles across 12 difficulty tiers - 6 unique piece types: mirrors, filters, splitters, portals, combiners, and walls - Additive color mixing — combine red, yellow, and blue beams to create new colors - New mechanics introduced gradually as you progress - No timers, no energy systems, no move limits - Play at your own pace — offline, on your schedule - Hints available when you need a nudge - Colorblind-friendly mode with shape-based cues START SIMPLE, GO DEEP Early levels teach you the basics with mirrors and filters. By the midgame, you're splitting beams, mixing colors, and routing light through portals. Late-game puzzles demand creative thinking across large grids with every piece type in play. DESIGNED FOR FOCUS No flashing notifications, no social pressure, no pay-to-win mechanics. Gleamworks respects your time and attention. Sit down, solve a puzzle or ten, and walk away satisfied. **What's New (first release):** Welcome to Gleamworks! 250 light beam puzzles await. Rotate mirrors, mix colors, and guide every beam to its receiver.

Screenshots

Chainpop4 screens
Gleamworks3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Gleamworks at daily against Chainpop's every 4 days. Gleamworks also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Chainpop sells 9 one-off in-app purchases and Gleamworks sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. 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 — 5.0 for Chainpop against 5.0 for Gleamworks. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chainpop ships an update every 4 days, Gleamworks daily. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Chainpop versus Gleamworks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChainpopGleamworks
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysDaily — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB242 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLittleleaf LabsJames Knarr

Customer experience

Chainpop

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Gleamworks

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Chainpop

One-time9
  • Starter pack$0.99
  • 3 Skips$0.99
  • 3 Extra Taps$0.99
Show 6 more
  • 3 Hints$0.99
  • Remove Ads$1.99
  • 10 Skips$1.99
  • 10 Extra Taps$1.99
  • 10 Hints$1.99
  • Unlock all levels$9.99
1 purchases

Gleamworks

One-time1
  • Gleamworks Ad-Free$2.99

Questions

Is Chainpop free?
Chainpop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Gleamworks free?
Gleamworks is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Chainpop or Gleamworks?
Chainpop and Gleamworks are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Chainpop or Gleamworks have ads?
Both Chainpop and Gleamworks show ads.
Which is updated more often, Chainpop or Gleamworks?
Chainpop ships an update every 4 days, and Gleamworks daily. Most recently, Chainpop was updated on October 14, 2026 and Gleamworks on October 10, 2026.

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