# Sort or Explode! vs Pencil Loop!

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Sort or Explode! at 100% against Pencil Loop!'s 41%. Sort or Explode! also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). Pencil Loop!'s advantage is price (Free vs $0.99) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 5 months).

Pencil Loop! is free to download; Sort or Explode! costs $0.99 up front. Pencil Loop! sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Sort or Explode! asks for nothing beyond the download.

Sort or Explode! ships an update every 5 months, Pencil Loop! every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sort or Explode! | Pencil Loop! |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | — | **[4.7 (757 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pencil-loop/id6753226130/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **757** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 41.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 3 MB | 496 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [M. de la Mata Sáez](https://appshunter.io/developer/414073156) | [Rollic Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/1452111779) |

## What reviewers say

### Sort or Explode!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sort-or-explode/id918948319)

A fast-paced puzzle game where players must quickly sort colored bombs into matching zones before they explode. It's easy to learn but challenging to master, testing reflexes and focus.

**Highlights:** Drag and drop bomb sorting, Color matching mechanic, Timed bomb explosions, High score chasing, Simple to learn, hard to master

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Pencil Loop!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pencil-loop/id6753226130)

Engage in a relaxing art puzzle game where you guide pencil boxes through a loop to sharpen and color them. Reveal vibrant hidden images step by step with simple logic and satisfying animations. Enjoy hundreds of handcrafted levels for a calming yet addictive experience.

**Highlights:** Sharpen and color pencil boxes, Reveal hidden colorful images, Hundreds of handcrafted levels, Relaxing, no-timer gameplay, Offline play, Simple one-touch controls

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Coin Pack 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Rescue Offer | $4.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack 2 | $7.99 | one-time |
| Mini Bundle | $9.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack 3 | $14.99 | one-time |
| Medium Bundle | $19.99 | one-time |
| Super Offer | $29.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack 4 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack 5 | $54.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack 6 | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sort or Explode! free?

Sort or Explode! costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Pencil Loop! free?

Pencil Loop! is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Sort or Explode! or Pencil Loop! have ads?

Pencil Loop! shows ads; Sort or Explode! does not.

### Which is updated more often, Sort or Explode! or Pencil Loop!?

Sort or Explode! ships an update every 5 months, and Pencil Loop! every 10 days. Most recently, Sort or Explode! was updated on October 9, 2026 and Pencil Loop! on October 11, 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.*