# Shadowmatic vs Vignettes

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Vignettes at none against Shadowmatic's 5. Vignettes also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and price ($2.99 vs $3.99). Shadowmatic's advantage is chart position (#35 vs unranked). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Shadowmatic costs $3.99 and Vignettes $2.99 up front. Shadowmatic sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Vignettes asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Shadowmatic against 4.8 for Vignettes. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.1K and 1K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 86% of Shadowmatic's written reviews are positive against 88% of Vignettes's.

Shadowmatic ships an update every 2 months, Vignettes every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 30, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shadowmatic | Vignettes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **$2.99** |
| Rating | [4.8 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shadowmatic/id775888026/reviews) | [4.8 (1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vignettes/id1100330715/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.1K** | 1K |
| Positive reviews | 85.8% of reviews | **87.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#35** | — |
| Size | 388 MB | 196 MB |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TRIADA Studio](https://appshunter.io/developer/775888029) | [Skeleton Business](https://appshunter.io/developer/1100330714) |

## What reviewers say

### Shadowmatic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shadowmatic/id775888026)

**Currently charting:** #35 Top Paid · Family, #78 Top Paid · Puzzle (US App Store)

Rotate abstract objects in a spotlight to cast recognizable silhouettes. Explore unique environments with captivating music and stunning visuals. Discover unexpected shapes and solve mind-bending puzzles.

**Highlights:** Rotate abstract objects, Create recognizable silhouettes, Stunning visuals, Relaxing gameplay, Unique thematic environments, Assistant button for hints

**Features:** iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pack of 20 Hint-Points | $0.99 | one-time |
| "Other Worlds" chapter | $1.99 | one-time |
| Pack of 50 Hint-Points | $1.99 | one-time |
| Pack of 150 Hint-Points | $3.99 | one-time |
| Pack of 500 Hint-Points | $7.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Unique and creative gameplay
- 👍 Relaxing and calming experience
- 🎨 Beautiful graphics and visuals
- 🧠 Challenging puzzles that exercise the mind
- 🎶 Soothing background music

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Precision issues with controls, especially for complex puzzles
- 🤔 Unclear objectives at times, making it difficult to understand what the desired solution is
- ⏱️ Frustration when getting stuck on a puzzle for a long time
- 👀 Difficult for left-handed players due to the positioning of the controls

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes or freezes on certain devices, especially newer iPad models
- Progress not saving properly, causing players to lose progress

**Requested features**

- More levels and new puzzle types to keep the game fresh
- Ability to save progress and resume puzzles
- Option to mirror the game screen for left-handed players
- Hints that provide more useful guidance, not just the final solution


### Vignettes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vignettes/id1100330715)

Explore a world of shifting objects and hidden secrets in this unique, text-free puzzle game. Spin and interact with objects to discover different moods and settings. An accessible and colorful experience for all ages.

**Highlights:** Object shapeshifting, Text-free exploration, Playful interactions, Hidden secrets, Intuitive touch controls, Kaleidoscopic moods and settings

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Unique and creative design
- 🕹️ Engaging and satisfying puzzles
- 🎶 Calming and fitting soundtrack
- 🔍 Intriguing secrets and hidden content
- 🤯 Mesmerizing and mind-bending gameplay

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🕰️ Game is too short
- 🤔 Unclear progression and navigation
- 💰 Perceived as overpriced for the content

**Reported bugs**

- Chest won't open after putting in last key
- Voodoo doll won't transform back
- Crashes on startup for some devices

**Requested features**

- More levels and content
- Better map/progression system
- Easier to understand mechanics
- Fix for persistent bugs


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shadowmatic free?

Shadowmatic costs $3.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Vignettes free?

Vignettes costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Shadowmatic or Vignettes?

Shadowmatic and Vignettes are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2.1K and 1K ratings respectively.

### Do Shadowmatic or Vignettes have ads?

Neither Shadowmatic nor Vignettes shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Shadowmatic or Vignettes?

Shadowmatic ships an update every 2 months, and Vignettes every 3 weeks. Most recently, Shadowmatic was updated on September 30, 2026 and Vignettes on September 30, 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.*