Comparison

Lightwell vs ThinkerLoop

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

Head to head
About

Lightwell

A serene logic puzzle game where you illuminate a grid by strategically placing lights. Solve intricate challenges using pure deduction, with numbered walls providing crucial clues. Enjoy a clean, focused experience with no distractions.

Highlights
  • 1,600 handcrafted puzzles
  • Four difficulty levels
  • Daily puzzles
  • Logic-based solutions
  • Hint system
  • X-mark notes
  • Resume progress
Features
Read full description

Lightwell is a clean logic puzzle inspired by Akari, the Japanese “Light Up” puzzle. Place lights to illuminate the board. Lights shine horizontally and vertically until blocked by a wall. Numbered walls tell you exactly how many lights touch them. Every cell must be lit, and no two lights can see each other. Simple rules. Pure deduction. If you love Sudoku, Minesweeper, Picross, Nonograms, or the daily Mini and Strands, Lightwell was made for you. WHAT’S INSIDE • 1,600 handcrafted puzzles across four difficulty levels: Easy, Medium, Hard, and Expert • Daily puzzles to compete for the bes time • Every puzzle is solvable through logic alone. No guessing • Hints that always give you a valid next step • X-mark notes for tracking impossible cells • Pick up right where you left off NO NOISE • No ads • No subscription • No energy systems or timers • No streak pressure • No accounts or sign-ins A single one time purchase unlocks every level past 100 in each pack plus detailed stats. Hundreds of puzzles are completely free to play. FOR PLAYERS WHO • Enjoy thoughtful puzzle games • Want something relaxing between meetings or before bed • Like deduction over randomness • Want a clean, focused experience that respects their time ACCESSIBILITY • High-contrast themes • Large touch targets • Color is never the only indicator • Designed to stay readable even on dense expert grids Built quietly. Updated with care.

About

ThinkerLoop

Features
Read full description

ThinkerLoop is a premium brain-training playground — 33+ puzzle archetypes across six cognitive zones, with a fresh Daily Series every day and an educational breakdown after every solve. WHAT YOU'LL PLAY • Daily Series — Queens, Zip, Wend, and Pinpoint, LinkedIn-style logic puzzles with a new board every day • Six cognitive zones — Logic & Language, Spatial & Pattern, Quantitative & Math, Memory & Focus, Abstract Frameworks, and more • Speed Challenges — solve against the clock for Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals, server-verified so every leaderboard time is real WHY IT'S DIFFERENT Every solve ends with an Intellect Core: a short, honest breakdown of the cognitive rule or trick behind the puzzle — so you leave with an insight, not just a score. STAY MOTIVATED • Daily streaks and stars carry across every puzzle you solve • Global, weekly, monthly, and friends leaderboards for every Speed Challenge • Add friends and compare times head-to-head PLAY YOUR WAY Sign in with Google or Apple to sync your progress, or jump straight in as a guest — no account required to start playing. Free forever, supported by unobtrusive advertising. No paywalls, no premium tiers, no pressure.

Screenshots

Lightwell4 screens
ThinkerLoop4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ThinkerLoop at none against Lightwell's 1. ThinkerLoop also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks). Lightwell's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. Lightwell sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ThinkerLoop asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lightwell ships an update every 3 weeks, ThinkerLoop every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Lightwell versus ThinkerLoop: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLightwellThinkerLoop
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB29 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperAndrew LaskinSibin O

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Lightwell

One-time1
  • Lightwell Pro$4.99
None

ThinkerLoop

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lightwell free?
Lightwell is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ThinkerLoop free?
ThinkerLoop is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Lightwell or ThinkerLoop have ads?
ThinkerLoop shows ads; Lightwell does not.
Which is updated more often, Lightwell or ThinkerLoop?
Lightwell ships an update every 3 weeks, and ThinkerLoop every 3 days. Most recently, Lightwell was updated on September 28, 2026 and ThinkerLoop on September 8, 2026.

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