Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
User consensusAlternativesIs it worth it?
The verdict on

Four in a Row.

60
User verdict / 100 High confidence Divided

Four in a Row is a free, simple, and addictive game that many users enjoy for solo play, but it suffers from significant issues with ads, online multiplayer functionality, and a perceived unfair AI difficulty, especially on 'easy' settings.

⚠ Not updated in 96 months, this app may be abandoned
4.4★ lifetime (3,822) Free to download since 2008 by Optime Software LLC recent negative 6% 120 reviews across 4 regions
AI Difficulty Engagement & Fun Advertisements Multiplayer Issues Performance & Stability
5★582
4★275
3★78
2★20
1★41
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.4★ lifetime average

Four in a Row by Optime Software is a free game offering a classic 'connect four' experience. While many users find it entertaining and a good time-killer, recent reviews highlight problems with intrusive ads, slow loading, and a challenging AI, even on easy difficulty. The online multiplayer mode is also frequently reported as buggy and frustrating.

What users like

What users complain about

Latest update · v2.56

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included. • GDPR support • Minor bug fixes

Recurring themes

AI Difficulty mixed
Many users find the AI too hard, even on the easy setting, making it frustrating to win. Conversely, some players appreciate the challenge and find the AI smart and tricky. A few also find it too easy or predictable after a while.R1R5R6R9
Advertisements negative
A significant number of users complain about frequent, long, and intrusive advertisements, including flashing ads and those that redirect out of the app, making the game frustrating to play.R12R24R61R140
Multiplayer Issues negative
The online multiplayer mode is widely reported as broken or buggy. Users experience issues with moves not registering, games freezing, premature 'draws', and difficulty starting or rejoining games.R18R31R103R228
Performance & Stability negative
The app is reported to have slow loading times, freezes, glitches, and crashes. The developer notes mention "minor bug fixes" but these issues persist in recent reviews, indicating the update did not fully address them.R12R21R121R222
Engagement & Fun positive
Many users find the game highly addictive, entertaining, and a great way to pass the time. It is often praised for being a simple, classic game that provides mental stimulation.R3R4R5R11

Who it's for

This app is for users looking for a free, simple, and addictive single-player 'connect four' style game to pass the time R2R19R29. It is suitable for those who enjoy a challenge against an AI and can tolerate frequent advertisements R6. It is NOT for users who want a reliable online multiplayer experience, dislike intrusive ads, or prefer a balanced difficulty curve on 'easy' settings R1R12R18R24.

Evidence note: The sample of recent reviews skews negative, which is common for apps that have not been updated in a long time. While many positive reviews exist, the negative points are strongly and repeatedly articulated across multiple users, suggesting these are current and significant issues. The lifetime rating is high, but the recent trajectory indicates a decline in user satisfaction due to unaddressed problems.

Frequently asked

Is Four in a Row free to play?
Yes, Four in a Row is free to download and play R2R24R29R52.
Are there ads in the game?
Yes, the game contains frequent and intrusive ads, including flashing ads and those that redirect users out of the app R12R24R61R140.
How difficult is the AI?
Many users find the AI to be very difficult, even on the 'easy' setting, making it hard to win R1R9R10R179.
Does the online multiplayer work well?
No, the online multiplayer mode is frequently reported as buggy, with issues like moves not registering, games freezing, and premature 'draws' R18R31R103R228.
Is the app updated regularly?
The app has not been updated in 96.5 months, indicating it is abandoned, despite recent developer notes mentioning minor bug fixes (Signals).

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.

  1. [R28] 5/5 · US Addictive: I play this game everyday, several times! Love, love it!
  2. [R38] 5/5 · US Really Addictive!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼😋😊: This game is great. It is really adictive
  3. [R46] 5/5 · US Four in a Row free: A simple game that is addictive! Fun.
  4. [R47] 5/5 · US Grrr!!!: I hate getting beat! Especially if I should have seen it coming... I'm addicted!
  5. [R19] 5/5 · US Great game: Very entertaining. Keeps me entertained on a plane, waiting for appointments, and so forth.
  6. [R29] 5/5 · US Four free very nice and fun.: A very good game to past the time.
  7. [R32] 4/5 · US Four free: Game is good thinking means winning more
  8. [R34] 5/5 · US Review: An excellent thought provoking game!
  9. [R5] 5/5 · US Crazy Fun: I thought I would breeze through this, but I’m so wrong!
  10. [R6] 5/5 · US Smart AI: On the hardest level against the AI is tough, but not impossible. Although the AI is tricky it will use a diversion to keep you occupied, then it will strike where you least expect it. So when you least expect it, EXPECT IT!
  11. [R22] 5/5 · US Challenging....: ...Sometimes You Win; sometimes You lose..
  12. [R33] 5/5 · US Four in a Row: Lots of fun. Can play and play. Fun to beat computer. I'm up to winning 5000 games now vs just over 1500 for computer.
  13. [R2] 5/5 · US This is the one: Bare bones and NO ADS. Perfect for fast playing and solo practice
  14. [R44] 5/5 · US Great game!: Very simple. Easy to use. I've encountered no bugs. I highly recommend it.
  15. [R52] 5/5 · US Great: Fun, free and easy to use
  16. [R12] 2/5 · US APP: This app loads slow. The advertisements are too long and Hard to get rid.
  17. [R24] 1/5 · US Good game, bad scam.: The game isn't self isn't bad, it's the fact it bombards you with ads. I understand fully that it's free but it also sends you out of the ap countless times and gives messages like "free phone" to the player that could cause a virus. So I you want to play this cute game while waiting. Get it somewhere else. Don't risk your phone.
  18. [R61] 1/5 · US X: It WAS a fun game until they added a FLASHING AD at the bottom. You can't make it go away -VERY IRRITATING! I'll never play it again, or any other game with flashing ads.
  19. [R140] 1/5 · US Irritating ads, too small for iPad: Annoying ads that flash like strobes? You're kidding me! Very irritating!! Also on iPad, this is the size of an iPhone screen. Too tiny! It should fill the screen! This would be a fun game otherwise, but I'll probably just delete it.
  20. [R1] 1/5 · US Robot: The robot in the 1player mode was too hard even in easy mode
  21. [R9] 1/5 · US Briley: It kinda is hard when you're on easy level it still is hard
  22. [R10] 4/5 · US There is a bug on mine, beside that great game: The game is ok, but when I click easy, it’s hard. I might not be good at four in a row, but I just think it’s weird. Great game tho. I recommend it to everyone.
  23. [R179] 2/5 · US Too dang hard: Good game if you feel like spending hours trying to beat a computer whose killing your every move :p
  24. [R18] 1/5 · US Network mode not working: Opponent move does not register unless you exit game play and return to board. This used to work but now unplayable. Please fix. I have iPhone 6. Same issue still exist
  25. [R31] 2/5 · US Network Play? Not Impressed.: The kids liked to play this game until they started network play with the grandparents. It can't seem to determine when a game has begun, after 2-3 starts it finally seems to work, except every move they have to exit to the main menu and select network play and reselect the game once it can determine whose play it is. Kids are so frustrated they no longer want to pl
  26. [R103] 1/5 · US Meh: Nice single player, bad multiplayer. No time limit. Matches can last a very long time. Played one game after 20 min the game was half done and popped up and said "draw".
  27. [R228] 1/5 · US Network flaw: Half the games played on network mode end in a draw halfway through, sometimes when I'm one move from victory. The rules need to be fixed or at least explained.
  28. [R21] 1/5 · US Fun but 1 problem: The game is fun in all but you play rounds and it freezes ❄️ then glitches 👾 that’s why I’m getting rid of this app. 👎🏻👾😢👎🏻👾😥👎🏻
  29. [R121] 1/5 · US Buggy: Mostly works, but when it popped up the "write a review" screen things started falling apart.
  30. [R322] 1/5 · GB Good when it works, but keeps crashing: Managed three games without problems but now crashes after just a few seconds of starting a new game. Fail!
  31. [R375] 1/5 · GB Oh dear: Have just installed the latest update and now it doesnt work at all! Guys... You need to sort this (i-pod touch version) as it was OK before!
  32. [R222] 2/5 · US Not that good: To many adds and slow start up
  33. [R535] 3/5 · CA Slow: Good game but multiplayer is slow
  34. [R17] 1/5 · US Name: Can’t change username on this game
  35. [R560] 3/5 · CA No Rematch: Rematch function is inoperative. Otherwise, a fun game and a classic!
  36. [R71] 2/5 · US No more "draws": Game is great but most if my games end in a draw when it is obvious that one person could have won. PLEASE remove this feature!!!
  37. [R502] 3/5 · CA Multiplayer good but game has a bug: I play this game with my friends. I like that we can play multiplayer from a distance, but the game called one match a draw with at least 1/3 of game space left to play. I was about to win too.
  38. [R298] 2/5 · GB 4": Please update for the 4" Retina display.
  39. [R3] 5/5 · US Got took out by AI in Four in a Row: Great game
  40. [R4] 5/5 · US yeudjdj: yotoishshx
  41. [R11] 5/5 · US Excellent!: Excellent!

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store