# Desert Golfing vs Simple Match 3

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Desert Golfing at none against Simple Match 3's 1. Desert Golfing also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 14.0). Simple Match 3's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (90% vs 82%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Desert Golfing costs $1.99 and Simple Match 3 $1.99 up front. Simple Match 3 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Desert Golfing asks for nothing beyond the download.

Simple Match 3 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 649 and 247 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of Desert Golfing's written reviews are positive against 90% of Simple Match 3's.

Desert Golfing ships an update every 2 weeks, Simple Match 3 weekly. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Desert Golfing | Simple Match 3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | $1.99 |
| Rating | [4.6 (649 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/desert-golfing/id902062673/reviews) | **[4.8 (247 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-match-3/id6482984389/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **649** | 247 |
| Positive reviews | 81.8% of reviews | **90.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #103 | **#50** |
| Size | 2 MB | 463 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Captain Games Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1446968123) | [Mulberry Tree Games, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1714124470) |

## What reviewers say

### Desert Golfing

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/desert-golfing/id902062673)

**Currently charting:** #103 Top Paid · Sports (US App Store)

Experience an endless desert golf course with unique challenges.  Navigate sandy landscapes and discover new holes with every play.  This game offers a relaxing yet engaging golfing adventure.

**Highlights:** Infinite procedurally generated courses, Unique desert environments, Relaxing gameplay, Simple controls, Score tracking

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Delightfully simple
- 🚀 Relaxing, soothing gameplay
- 🚀 Addictive and endlessly playable
- 👍 Perfect for passing time
- 👍 Minimalist design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Impossible holes due to level design
- 🐛 Lack of reset/restart option
- 🐛 Inconsistent ball behavior
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 👎 Repetitive and monotonous after a while

**Reported bugs**

- Certain holes are physically impossible to complete
- Ball behavior can be inconsistent and unpredictable
- Game freezes or crashes on some devices

**Requested features**

- Add a reset/restart option
- Introduce more varied obstacles and hazards
- Provide statistics and progress tracking
- Add support for syncing progress across devices
- Implement a night mode or color customization


### Simple Match 3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-match-3/id6482984389)

**Currently charting:** #50 Top Paid · Casual, #66 Top Paid · Puzzle (US App Store)

This is a relaxing puzzle game where you swap tiles to make matches of three. Unlock hundreds of unique tiles, customize your game's appearance, and enjoy satisfying effects. It offers a peaceful experience without ads or excessive story elements.

**Highlights:** No ads or subscriptions, Hundreds of unique tiles, Customizable appearance, Daily levels with leaderboards, Zen Mode for relaxation, Satisfying visual effects, Achievements and boosters

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Simple Match 3 Gold | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Best Match 3 Game
- 👍 Calming and Engaging
- 🔒 No Ads or IAPs
- 👍 Customizable Tiles
- 👍 Relaxing Music and Sound Effects

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs in Higher Levels
- 🐛 Impossible Levels Due to Missing Obstacles
- 🐛 Soft Locks with Rainbow Tiles
- 🐛 Reward Box Tapping Issue
- 🐛 Inconsistent Star Rating System

**Reported bugs**

- Levels with Missing Obstacles
- Reward Box Tapping Issue
- Inconsistent Star Rating System
- Soft Locks with Rainbow Tiles
- Crashes on Opening

**Requested features**

- Level Editor
- Endless/Survival Mode
- Improved Power-Up Interactions
- Hints or Shuffle Option
- Landscape Support for iPad


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Desert Golfing free?

Desert Golfing costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Simple Match 3 free?

Simple Match 3 costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Desert Golfing or Simple Match 3?

Simple Match 3 is rated higher. Desert Golfing averages 4.6 out of 5 from 649 ratings, while Simple Match 3 averages 4.8 from 247 ratings.

### Do Desert Golfing or Simple Match 3 have ads?

Neither Desert Golfing nor Simple Match 3 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Desert Golfing or Simple Match 3?

Desert Golfing ships an update every 2 weeks, and Simple Match 3 weekly. Most recently, Desert Golfing was updated on September 25, 2026 and Simple Match 3 on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Desert Golfing or Simple Match 3?

Desert Golfing currently peaks at #103 in the App Store charts, and Simple Match 3 at #50. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*