Comparison

Gomoku Duo vs MellowGomoku

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

Head to head
About

Gomoku Duo

Engage in the classic game of Gomoku with multiple play options. Practice against AI, play with a friend on a single device, or challenge opponents online in real-time matches. Zoom in on the board for detailed strategy and enjoy timed or untimed games.

Highlights
  • Single-player practice against AI
  • Local two-player mode on one device
  • Online real-time multiplayer matches
  • Zoom and pan board functionality
  • Timed matches with time bonuses
  • Leaderboards and online records
Features
Read full description

Play a round of Gomoku, on your own or with someone else. Practice against the computer, share a board with a friend, or challenge an opponent online. ◆ Single player, at your own pace Start a game against the computer without waiting for an opponent. Choose black or white and think through each move with no time limit. Undo your last move to try a different approach. No internet connection or Game Center sign-in needed. ◆ Two players, one device Set an iPhone or iPad between you and a friend. Each player’s controls face their side, with the turn and time remaining in view. Play together without an internet connection or Game Center sign-in. ◆ Live online matches Find an opponent through Game Center and play in real time. Build your line, watch their moves, and decide when to attack or defend. After the match, check your online record and leaderboard position. ◆ Take a closer look before you move Zoom and pan around the board to study the gaps and connections. Select a spot, then tap “Place Stone” to confirm your move. ◆ Freestyle five in a row Connect five or more stones horizontally, vertically, or diagonally on a 15×15 board to win. Black moves first, and double threes, double fours, and lines longer than five are allowed. Local two-player and online matches start with five minutes per player, with three seconds added after each move. Time remaining is capped at five minutes. ◆ More to play between matches While an online opponent is being found, flick white stones to knock black stones off the board. After a match, swap colors and play again. Up for a game of Gomoku? Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

MellowGomoku

Master the game of Gomoku and its variations with intelligent AI opponents, online multiplayer, and in-depth game reviews. Learn Renju rules and improve your strategy with guided hints and move analysis in a calm, intuitive interface.

Highlights
  • Play Freestyle Gomoku and Renju
  • 5 AI difficulty levels
  • Online multiplayer via Game Center
  • Learn Renju rules with visual guides
  • AI move recommendations and explanations
  • Review games move by move
  • Practice from any game position
Features
Read full description

**Play, learn, and master Gomoku at your own pace.** MellowGomoku brings together classic Gomoku, Renju rules, intelligent AI opponents, and detailed game reviews in a calm, intuitive experience. Whether you're learning the basics or sharpening your strategy, every match is a chance to improve. **PLAY YOUR WAY** • Enjoy both Freestyle Gomoku and Renju. • Challenge Mellow AI across 5 difficulty levels, from Beginner to Master. • Play online matches with other players through Game Center. • Choose to play as Black, White, or Random. • Customize your time limit and forbidden-move display. **LEARN RENJU RULES EASILY** Renju introduces special restrictions for Black to balance the first-move advantage. • Learn the 3-3, 4-4, and overline rules. • Understand forbidden moves through clear visual guides. • See forbidden positions directly on the board. • Discover the differences between Renju and Freestyle Gomoku. No need to memorize complicated rules before playing. Learn step by step as you go. **GET SMARTER WITH AI HINTS** Not sure where to play next? Let Mellow AI guide you. • Get recommended moves with helpful explanations. • Recognize important threats and tactical opportunities. • Learn why certain moves are stronger than others. • Improve your decision-making with every match. **REVIEW EVERY MOVE** The learning doesn't stop when the match ends. • Replay completed games move by move. • Step forward or backward through the move sequence. • Display move numbers and highlight the last move. • Start a practice game from any selected position. • Explore different strategies without affecting your record or win streak. Look back at critical moments, discover better moves, and prepare for your next challenge. **A CALM WAY TO ENJOY GOMOKU** MellowGomoku combines a clean interface with thoughtful features that help you focus on the game. From casual matches to deeper strategic learning, enjoy Gomoku in a way that suits you. Take your time. Think ahead. Connect five. **MellowGomoku — Play. Learn. Improve.**

Screenshots

Gomoku Duo4 screens
MellowGomoku4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Gomoku Duo at none against MellowGomoku's 1. Gomoku Duo also leads on ads (none vs shown). MellowGomoku's advantage is iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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. MellowGomoku sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Gomoku Duo asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 4 level
Gomoku Duo versus MellowGomoku: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGomoku DuoMellowGomoku
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysEvery 5 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.017.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGoateractionChanGyu Kang

Customer experience

Gomoku Duo

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

MellowGomoku

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Gomoku Duo

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

MellowGomoku

One-time1
  • MellowGomoku Pro$1.99

Questions

Is Gomoku Duo free?
Gomoku Duo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MellowGomoku free?
MellowGomoku is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Gomoku Duo or MellowGomoku have ads?
MellowGomoku shows ads; Gomoku Duo does not.
Which is updated more often, Gomoku Duo or MellowGomoku?
Gomoku Duo ships an update every 5 days, and MellowGomoku every 5 days. Most recently, Gomoku Duo was updated on October 31, 2026 and MellowGomoku on October 31, 2026.

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