# Clockmaker vs Merge Mayor

The clearest difference is ads: Merge Mayor at none against Clockmaker's shown. Merge Mayor also leads on review sentiment (63% vs 43%) and update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). Clockmaker's advantage is chart position (#110 vs unranked) and ratings volume (186K vs 27K). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Clockmaker sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Merge Mayor sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Merge Mayor holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Clockmaker has 186K ratings behind it against 27K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of Clockmaker's written reviews are positive against 63% of Merge Mayor's.

Clockmaker ships an update fortnightly, Merge Mayor every 4 days. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Clockmaker | Merge Mayor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (186K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clockmaker-match-3-puzzles/id929195587/reviews) | **[4.8 (27K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merge-mayor/id1487461340/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **186K** | 27K |
| Positive reviews | 42.9% of reviews | **63.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#110** | — |
| Size | 519 MB | 385 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Samfinaco LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1143580778) | [Starberry Games GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1228073651) |

## What reviewers say

### Clockmaker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clockmaker-match-3-puzzles/id929195587)

**Currently charting:** #110 Top Grossing · Simulation, #143 Top Grossing · Puzzle (US App Store)

Embark on an adventure to break an evil curse by solving addictive match-3 puzzles. Uncover secrets, travel the world with heroes, and compete in unique tournaments. Enjoy a mystery-filled story with thousands of levels, playable both online and offline.

**Highlights:** Addicting match-3 gameplay, Mystery and riddle solving, World travel and adventure, Weekly in-game events, Online and offline play, Player tournaments

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Сheapest Offer to Start! | $0.99 | one-time |
| Resource Offer 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Visitor's Kit | $2.99 | one-time |
| Resource Offer 3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Bag of Rubies | $4.99 | one-time |
| Resource Offer 5 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Citizen's Stockpile | $6.99 | one-time |
| Sack of Rubies | $9.99 | one-time |
| Watchman's Cache | $14.99 | one-time |
| Box of Rubies | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Beautiful graphics
- 🕹️ Challenging gameplay
- 🕰️ Engaging storyline and characters
- ⏱️ Generous with free playtime rewards

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
- 🤖 Levels too difficult without boosts
- 📺 Excessive ads and pop-ups
- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- ⏳ Slow progress without spending money

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashing and freezing issues
- Ads causing the game to become unresponsive
- Rewards not being properly credited

**Requested features**

- Pause button for free playtime rewards
- More ways to earn in-game currency without spending
- Better balance between difficulty and progression


### Merge Mayor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merge-mayor/id1487461340)

Become the new Mayor and transform a small town into a thriving metropolis. Solve match puzzles, build, organize, and upgrade your city. Enjoy fresh 3D graphics, discover hidden stories, and unlock new areas in this relaxing yet challenging game.

**Highlights:** Build and upgrade your city, Solve merge puzzles, Repair and renovate homes, Discover hidden stories, Unlock new areas, Fresh 3D graphics, Seasonal items and events

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Handful of gems | $1.99 | one-time |
| Shop Offer S | $1.99 | one-time |
| Shop Offer M | $2.99 | one-time |
| Shop Offer | $2.99 | one-time |
| Hat full of gems | $4.99 | one-time |
| Shop Offer L | $4.99 | one-time |
| Safe key | $4.99 | one-time |
| Shop Offer | $6.99 | one-time |
| Box of gems | $9.99 | one-time |
| Shop Offer XL | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 No forced ads
- 👍 Cute and appealing graphics
- 💡 Generous rewards for watching optional ads
- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 👍 Ability to progress without spending money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔋 Energy system depletes quickly
- 🐛 Bugs and crashes after recent updates
- 🔋 Slow energy recharge time
- 💰 Progression feels gated by in-app purchases
- 🔋 Limited storage space requiring frequent selling/trashing of items

**Reported bugs**

- Game freezes when trying to claim rewards
- Ads sometimes fail to load or freeze the game
- Progression blocked due to inability to unlock new areas

**Requested features**

- Ability to sell/trade excess items
- Faster energy recharge
- More storage space
- Ability to skip or dismiss pop-up bubbles
- More varied and frequent content updates


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Clockmaker free?

Clockmaker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Merge Mayor free?

Merge Mayor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Clockmaker or Merge Mayor?

Merge Mayor is rated higher. Clockmaker averages 4.6 out of 5 from 186K ratings, while Merge Mayor averages 4.8 from 27K ratings.

### Do Clockmaker or Merge Mayor have ads?

Clockmaker shows ads; Merge Mayor does not.

### Which is updated more often, Clockmaker or Merge Mayor?

Clockmaker ships an update fortnightly, and Merge Mayor every 4 days. Most recently, Clockmaker was updated on November 3, 2026 and Merge Mayor on November 3, 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.*