Comparison

BYOPuzzles vs Optical Illusions

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

Head to head
About

BYOPuzzles

This app strengthens concentration, memory, and creativity through unique kaleidoscope puzzles. It enhances visual imagery skills, aiding in complex problem-solving and abstract thinking. By analyzing and reorganizing visual elements, users can foster innovation and improve their ability to generalize problem-solving strategies.

Highlights
  • Build custom kaleidoscope puzzles
  • Strengthen concentration and memory
  • Enhance visual imagery skills
  • Improve complex problem-solving
  • Catalyze creativity
  • Develop abstract thinking
Features
Read full description

Build Your Own Puzzles from the pictures that matter to you. BYOPuzzles turns any photo into a set of kaleidoscopes. Your photo is cut into pieces, and each piece is mirrored into a beautiful kaleidoscope. Your challenge: study the highlighted piece of your photo, then find the kaleidoscope that was made from it. It looks simple. It takes real attention. BYOPuzzles was created by Donalee Markus, Ph.D., founder of Designs for Strong Minds®. BYOPUZZLES EXERCISES • Visual discrimination • Concentration and focus • Working memory • Analytical reasoning HOW IT WORKS 1. Pick a photo. Take a photo, choose one from your photo library, or browse our image collection. 2. Choose your level. Beginner (4 pieces), Intermediate (8 pieces) or Expert (12 pieces). 3. Study the purple piece. If you need a little help drag the magnifying to a piece or a kaleidoscope to see details up close. 4. Find the kaleidoscope created from that piece, and tap "That's My Answer." 5. See your results. Every puzzle is shown with the kaleidoscope you chose. Fix any you missed, then try another level. MAKE IT PERSONAL Use photos of family, friends, pets and favorite places. Familiar, meaningful pictures make each puzzle more engaging, and a great way to share a moment together. OR CHOOSE FROM OUR COLLECTION More than 500 images in categories including Illustrations, Trees, Gardens, Art Appreciation, Underwater Life, Tea, National Parks, Volcanoes, Space and Food. You can also explore 3D objects from The Metropolitan Museum of Art: rotate and zoom any object, then freeze a frame to make it a puzzle. DESIGNED TO BE EASY TO USE • Large, high-contrast text and buttons • Clear feedback: green for correct, orange for "take another look" • A narrated How to Play video • Works on iPhone and iPad Whether you play for a few minutes a day, or share it with someone you care for, BYOPuzzles gives your mind a focused, rewarding workout with pictures you love. Designs for Strong Minds® · Clinically applied neuroscience

About

Optical Illusions

Engage with a collection of mind-bending visual puzzles designed to challenge your perception and cognitive skills. Explore numerous optical illusions that will test your brain power and visual acuity in a fun and engaging way.

Highlights
  • Hundreds of optical illusion challenges
  • Spot trick questions and hidden traps
  • Minimal design for illusion clarity
  • Time-limited challenges
  • Suitable for all ages
  • IQ training and mind games
Read full description

Ready to challenge your perception? Dive into the fascinating world of optical illusions with this brain-teasing game that will blow your mind! Optical Illusions is an interactive riddle game where nothing is what it seems. Test your brain power and visual skills as you explore dozens of mind-bending illusions designed to confuse, amuse, and amaze. Features: - Hundreds of optical illusion challenges to solve - Spot the trick questions and hidden visual traps - Minimal design focused on illusion clarity - Time-limited challenges to increase the thrill - Suitable for all ages – from casual players to puzzle pros Whether you're a fan of brain games, IQ tests, or visual puzzles, Optical Illusions will keep you entertained for hours. Discover how your eyes and brain sometimes don’t agree — and learn to see through the illusion! Categories: Brain Teasers, Puzzle Games, Visual Riddles, IQ Training, Mind Games Download now and start seeing things differently!

Screenshots

BYOPuzzles4 screens
Optical Illusions4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: BYOPuzzles at 100% against Optical Illusions's 0%. BYOPuzzles also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 6 months vs every 19 months). Optical Illusions's advantage is price (Free vs $29.99) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On in-app purchases 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

Optical Illusions is free to download; BYOPuzzles costs $29.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BYOPuzzles ships an update every 6 months, Optical Illusions every 19 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
BYOPuzzles versus Optical Illusions: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBYOPuzzlesOptical Illusions
Price$29.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 months — betterEvery 19 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size467 MB149 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperDonalee MarkusRocketship Studios LLP

Customer experience

BYOPuzzles

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Optical Illusions

Written reviews4 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

BYOPuzzles

No in-app purchases

None

Optical Illusions

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BYOPuzzles free?
BYOPuzzles costs $29.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Optical Illusions free?
Optical Illusions is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do BYOPuzzles or Optical Illusions have ads?
Optical Illusions shows ads; BYOPuzzles does not.
Which is updated more often, BYOPuzzles or Optical Illusions?
BYOPuzzles ships an update every 6 months, and Optical Illusions every 19 months. Most recently, BYOPuzzles was updated on October 14, 2026 and Optical Illusions on October 13, 2026.

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