Merge and Dig alternatives
Merge and Dig users often seek alternatives due to excessive ads, game-breaking bugs, and a lack of late-game content. Alternatives like Idle Miner Tycoon and Merge Dragons! offer different takes on idle and merge mechanics with varying ad experiences and gameplay depths.
Why users look for alternatives to Merge and Dig
- Many users report that Merge and Dig is unplayable due to frequent ads, with some experiencing an ad every 15-30 seconds or after every round or level.R3R10R18R25
- The game often forces players to watch ads for bonus levels they don't want to play, or even after declining an ad for a reward.R15R18R21R33
- Some players who purchased the 'no ads' option still experienced pop-ups and ads, leading to feelings of being scammed and requests for refunds.R36R40
- A significant number of users cannot even start the game, reporting black screens, endless loading, or the app simply not launching.R1R4R7R16
- Late-game content is lacking, with players reaching high levels (e.g., level 2107 or having 17 billion blocks) and finding nothing more to do or unlock.R23R30R42
- The game can cause devices to overheat and drain battery quickly, raising concerns about background activity.R42
The alternatives
Idle Miner Tycoon offers a mining simulation experience where players manage mines and think about the best options to complete missions . It features relaxing music and good graphics, making it enjoyable for many .
Better for: This game is better for players who enjoy idle games with strategic elements and a focus on management, and who appreciate a relaxing atmosphere . It might appeal to those looking for a long-term game they played in their childhood . However, be aware that some users report it has become 'pay to win' or is flooded with ads, especially upon returning to the game R56R57.
Head-to-head: Merge and Dig vs Idle Miner TycoonMerge Dragons! provides a merge-style game that many find cute, adventurous, and stress-relieving, offering challenges and events R72. A key feature is that ads are optional, appearing only if the player chooses to watch them for rewards .
Better for: Merge Dragons! suits players who enjoy merging mechanics, want an ad-optional experience, and appreciate a game that can bring joy and family bonding R72. It's good for those who like a game with new and interesting gameplay . However, some users note it can take a long time to progress without paying for boosters or egg nests, and the game can be tempting to spend money on gems R68R73.
Head-to-head: Merge and Dig vs Merge Dragons!Dig Deep offers an immersive game with engaging digging and harvesting mechanics that many find fun and entertaining R80.
Better for: This game is for players who enjoy the core loop of digging and collecting, and find satisfaction in those mechanics . However, it is important to note that many users report a very high frequency of ads, sometimes every three layers or every minute, which can make the game frustrating and interrupt gameplay, even offline R79R81R82R84.
Head-to-head: Merge and Dig vs Dig DeepMerge Magic! is a merge game with enjoyable levels and artwork that can be played for hours without spending money . It features cute pets and fun events .
Better for: This alternative is suitable for players who enjoy merge games with good visuals and want a game that doesn't strictly require purchases to progress, although spending money can speed things up . However, users report significant screen clutter from pop-ups, a lack of variety in event items, and issues with lag and glitches R93R95R99. Some users also feel it has become a 'predatory cash grab' with expensive in-game items and events that are 'pay to win' R93R94.
Head-to-head: Merge and Dig vs Merge Magic!Drill & Collect is described as an addictive and fun mobile game by some users . The concept of the game is appealing to players .
Better for: This game is for players who enjoy the core concept of drilling and collecting and find the gameplay addictive . However, it is important to note that many users report an extremely high frequency of ads, sometimes every 30 seconds to a minute, which makes the game difficult to enjoy or even play for extended periods R107R110. Some users also report issues with the game causing their iPhone/iPad to overheat and draining battery .
Head-to-head: Merge and Dig vs Drill & CollectYou should stick with Merge and Dig if you enjoy the early game experience and find the 'asmr-like' or satisfying aspects of dropping pickaxes appealing, and you are willing to tolerate frequent ads or pay the $3 to go ad-free, understanding that some ads may still appear . It's also suitable if you're looking for a simple time-passing game R18.
Evidence note: No alternative had too few reviews to judge.
Frequently asked
Why do people complain about ads in Merge and Dig?
Does Merge and Dig have technical issues?
Is Merge Dragons! free to play?
Are there many ads in Dig Deep?
What are common complaints about Merge Magic!?
What reviewers actually said
Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.
- [R3] Merge and Dig Ads: Tons of ads
- [R10] Merge and Dig Ad every 30 seconds: Completely unplayable with an ad after every round so annoying don’t download
- [R18] Merge and Dig Too Many Ads: This game has very fun and simple gameplay for when I get bored, don’t get me wrong, but there are just too many ads. Occasionally a pop up appears that says I can watch an ad for a reward, and I pick no thank you, but it still gives me an ad. Please fix this issue!
- [R25] Merge and Dig So many ads: There’s ads after every level making it almost unplayable
- [R15] Merge and Dig STOP: WHY DO YOU FORCE ME TO PLAY THE BONUS? WHY CAN’T I JUST EXIT OUT YOU’RE FORCING ME TO WATCH AN AD JUST TO PLAY A BONUS AND NOT LET ME NOT PLAY IT JUST LET ME PLAY THE REAL GAME!!!!!
- [R21] Merge and Dig To many ads: Ok ok this game is really good not gonna lie. But still I can’t not get out of playing a bonus level. I try and wait for a no thank you button but still I don’t see one so I’m forced to watch an ad to play a level I didn’t want to play anyway.
- [R33] Merge and Dig It’s a good game but I have an issue: I just got my tool to level 31 and I’m on level 500 but the bonus level isn’t letting me say ‘no thanks’ to it and I can’t play or with internet it’s not letting me play the level
- [R36] Merge and Dig Brought no ads: I brought no ads and I still get ads when I click next game, I've asked for refund. Over all it's a good game it's just scammed me, which is why I have three stars
- [R40] Merge and Dig Do better: Great game play, enjoyed the game alot so I bout the no adds. Tell me why I buy no adds and I still get pop ups and adds coming in like I never bought it.
- [R1] Merge and Dig It won’t start: It won’t let me play it
- [R4] Merge and Dig Broken: Try to start the game and it just sits there on a black screen just saying loading, game will not load up :/
- [R7] Merge and Dig It’s broken: Please fix your game. It will not load.
- [R16] Merge and Dig Hate it: Won’t let me of something
- [R23] Merge and Dig Fun but needs more levels: Games great and enjoyable for passing time but seriously needs more levels and things to unlock. Level 2107 and there’s nothing more to do besides drop.
- [R30] Merge and Dig Add more to the game: I have over 17 BILLION BLOCKS. Please add more to the game
- [R42] Merge and Dig Is this mining crypto in the background ?: My 14 pro gets really hot and battery drops from 80 to 20 within 45 mins when I play this game. Just wondering if it’s doing something else in the background ? “Merge miners” , “currency” all part of the description …. Plus the game is pretty pointless. After a certain level there are no more challenges.
- [R52] Idle Miner Tycoon AN AMAZING GAME: But the only thing take to much time 😂😂
- [R55] Idle Miner Tycoon Fun: Real fun
- [R56] Idle Miner Tycoon BAD PLS FIX: THIS IS PAY TO WIN MAKE IT WITH ADS INSTEAD
- [R57] Idle Miner Tycoon Used to be fun: I used to play this game daily and it was pretty fun, no pop ups or attempts for adds but unfortunately like every other game it is flooded with them. When I re downloaded it after not playing for a year I was caught off guard by about 15-20 pop ups when I opened the game and it was super annoying, it also keeps offering adds for boost. It’s just not the same
- [R66] Merge Dragons! Awesome and easy: :)
- [R67] Merge Dragons! Makes me angry: I’ve played this for many years. I always get upset at the dragons harvesting without my permission. Especially on my period, I’ve been extra cranky so this is making me more upset and I don’t like how the dragons will harvest whatever and then I’ll try to get them off and they’ll still get them so I have to toss them across the map in anger since they’re too high leveled to sell.
- [R68] Merge Dragons! Takes too long: It takes too long to get enough dragons to clear boards unless you pay for boosters or egg nests
- [R72] Merge Dragons! Love it: I love this game it’s cute and adventurous for my family it brings joy and it relieves stress it also gives family bonding time there is challenges in events and is a very fun game and I would recommend this
- [R79] Dig Deep Good game: But to many ads
- [R80] Dig Deep Amazing game: This game is so much fun and I love playing it but there is to many adds but overall it’s amazing
- [R81] Dig Deep So. Many. Ads.: This game is fun, but has soooo many ads if you don’t buy the “no ads” thingy, and a lot of other stuff in game requires you to watch adds to access it :/
- [R82] Dig Deep I hate this game: I was doing a race And I got last place cause I got a adding
- [R93] Merge Magic! Deteriorated to a predatory cash grab: I've played this game off and on for years. It used to be fun. At this point though, it's gone the way of so many other games and turned into a massive cash grab. There is so much screen clutter from popups trying to get me to buy or spend gems that I can barely see my garden. The events used to be a lot better too. I made steady progress spending maybe a han
- [R94] Merge Magic! Abandoned by Devs: The game used to be so fun, until you realize that the devs abandoned it. Useless “Dream Island” that you have to spend real money to unlock stuff in. Events that are basically pay to win. Objects that are only attainable by paying 99 USD. It’s laughable how this is clearly a cash grab now. No longer a game worth playing. I miss the old Merge Magic from 2019.
- [R95] Merge Magic! Too much screen clutter!: I enjoy the game. I’ve had it for several years now. However, it is QUITE annoying that all the icons for special events and games take up SO MUCH space on the game screen! They need a collapsible menu of their own to maintain as much of the screen for game play as possible.
- [R96] Merge Magic! Boring: Takes forever to get anything. The games does NOT a give you any events to accomplish. Op top of that you don't know what to do! Deleted it
- [R107] Drill & Collect Too many ads: For every 30 seconds of play there is 30 seconds of ad
- [R108] Drill & Collect Good game: Fun to play
- [R109] Drill & Collect Android: Android needs work but iPhone works ok no delays better than android version
- [R110] Drill & Collect Ads: After you get to a certain level you get an ad literally every minute to 1.5 minutes. I’m really to quit playing!
- [R73] Merge Dragons! Cool game but wants your money: I like this game a lot and it’s very addictive, but they try to make you use gems as much as possible, and the main way to get gems is to buy them. So basically they try to make it as tempting as possible to spend money on the game. But if your weary of that fact, you can still enjoy the game without spending any money
- [R84] Dig Deep To many adds!: I think the game idea is really cool and fun. But the only downside is when I click a button an add pops up. And i don’t really like it. Plus, you have to PAY to get the adds to stop.If it had no adds, it would be a five star. Please fix this.
- [R85] Dig Deep Add’s: Way too many adds, every three layers I go down I get 1-2 minutes of just adds. So while half game might be about going down to mine and sell, the other half is just about getting another game so you can completely forget about this one and just have it floating around somewhere on your device.
- [R99] Merge Magic! Variety: I have liked to play this game but it’s boring. There is no variety on the event items that you merge and collect. The items are recycled over and over through the events. It becomes boring. It would be nice to see more variety. For instance holiday themed items or seasonal items something to make it different more variety. That would make the events more fun to play.
Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store