# Dots & Boxes vs Category Stack

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Dots & Boxes at none against Category Stack's 7. Dots & Boxes also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 weeks). Category Stack's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Category Stack sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Dots & Boxes asks for nothing beyond the download.

Dots & Boxes ships an update every 8 days, Category Stack every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dots & Boxes | Category Stack |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dots-and-boxes-neon-lights/id6760679684/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1** | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 3 MB | 253 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tourist Channel LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1885689606) | [Batuhan UCA](https://appshunter.io/developer/1895070189) |

## What reviewers say

### Dots & Boxes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dots-and-boxes-neon-lights/id6760679684)

Experience the classic strategy game with a vibrant neon aesthetic. Challenge your mind by outsmarting opponents and creating strategic box chains to achieve victory. Enjoy customizable gameplay with various grid sizes and difficulty levels.

**Highlights:** Classic Dots & Boxes gameplay, Play against AI or friends, Multiple grid sizes, Neon visuals and smooth animations, Strategic thinking, Quick matches and longer challenges

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Category Stack

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/category-stack/id6785968480)

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gold Pack 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Gold Pack 2 | $7.99 | one-time |
| No Ads Pack | $7.99 | one-time |
| Gold Pack 3 | $14.99 | one-time |
| Gold Pack 4 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Gold Pack 5 | $54.99 | one-time |
| Gold Pack 6 | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dots & Boxes free?

Dots & Boxes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Category Stack free?

Category Stack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Dots & Boxes or Category Stack have ads?

Category Stack shows ads; Dots & Boxes does not.

### Which is updated more often, Dots & Boxes or Category Stack?

Dots & Boxes ships an update every 8 days, and Category Stack every 3 weeks. Most recently, Dots & Boxes was updated on October 19, 2026 and Category Stack on October 24, 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.*