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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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The verdict on

Flow Free

60
User verdict / 100 High confidence Divided

Flow Free is a highly addictive and relaxing puzzle game that many users have enjoyed for years, but recent updates have significantly increased ad frequency and introduced technical issues, frustrating both free and paid users.

4.8★ lifetime (398,692) Free + in-app purchases since 2012 by Big Duck Games LLC updated 5.8 mo ago recent negative 15% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Excessive Ads App Not Working Relaxing Gameplay Paid Version Issues
5★685
4★108
3★53
2★36
1★118
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.8★ lifetime average

Flow Free is a popular puzzle game where players connect colored dots to create flow pipes without crossing paths. While many find it relaxing and mentally stimulating, recent reviews highlight a significant increase in intrusive ads and reports of the app stopping working for some users.

What users like

  • Relaxing and fun brain puzzle gameR1R16R20R39
  • Simple controls and easy to understand gameplayR2R33
  • Offers many levels and variations, providing long-term engagementR11R12R17R27
  • Good for mental stimulation and helps with focusR2R6R37R832

What users complain about

  • Excessive and long ads, often appearing after every 1-2 levelsR7R8R80R128
  • Ads sometimes prevent gameplay or lead to external sitesR144R213R218
  • Paid 'no-ads' version still requires watching ads for hints or fails to remove ads entirelyR18R30R22
  • App has stopped working for many users, losing progress and daily streaksR36R38R41R46
  • Hints are expensive or require watching ads, even for paid usersR8R18R266R342
  • Some ads are inappropriate or misogynisticR133R651
  • Game can be too easy for some, leading to boredomR14R355R468

Latest update · v4.9

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

New Packs! - New free Shifted Pack and Cataclysm Pack - 5x5 Mania Pack is now available for purchase or included with Unlock All Packs - Various minor fixes and improvements. Enjoy!

Recurring themes

Excessive Ads negative
A vast majority of recent negative reviews complain about the overwhelming number and length of ads, often appearing after every level or two. Users report ads lasting up to a minute, sometimes looping, and even preventing gameplay or redirecting to app stores. This contradicts the developer's notes which only mention 'minor fixes and improvements' and no ad-related changes.R7R8R80R91
App Not Working negative
Many users report the app has recently stopped working, freezing, or failing to load, leading to lost progress and daily streaks. This issue is widespread and affects the core functionality of the game.R36R38R41R46
Paid Version Issues negative
Users who purchased the 'no-ads' version are frustrated because they still encounter ads, particularly for hints, or the ad-free purchase isn't honored, leading to a feeling of being scammed.R18R22R30
Relaxing Gameplay positive
Despite the issues, many users continue to praise the core gameplay as relaxing, fun, and a good way to stimulate the brain or pass time. It's often described as a long-standing favorite.R1R2R4R6

Who it's for

Flow Free is for individuals looking for a relaxing and mentally stimulating puzzle game with simple mechanics R1R2R39. It is particularly appealing to those who enjoy brain teasers and have played the game for many years R11R17R27. However, it is NOT for users who are sensitive to frequent, long, or inappropriate ads, or those who expect a consistent ad-free experience after purchase R8R18R133.

Evidence note: The recent negative sentiment (15.4%) is strongly driven by ad complaints and app functionality issues, which are widely reported across multiple regions (US, GB, CA, AU). Positive reviews often refer to the core gameplay or past experiences, sometimes acknowledging ads but still rating highly. The contradiction between developer notes (minor fixes) and user reports (app not working) is notable.

Frequently asked

Are there many ads in Flow Free?
Yes, many recent reviews indicate there are an excessive number of long ads, often appearing after every one or two levels, sometimes lasting up to a minute and interrupting gameplay R7R8R80R128.
Does buying the 'no-ads' version remove all ads?
No, several users report that even after purchasing the 'no-ads' version, they still encounter ads, particularly when trying to get hints, or the purchase does not consistently remove all ads R18R30R22.
Is Flow Free good for kids?
While some users recommend it for children due to its brain-stimulating nature and easy controls R2, others warn about inappropriate ads that may pop up, making it untrustworthy for kids R133R651.
Why is Flow Free not working for some users?
Many users report that the app has recently stopped working, freezing, or failing to load, leading to lost progress and daily streaks, with no clear solution or update provided R36R38R41R46.

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. [R1] 5/5 · US Flow Free: It is so relaxing and fun to do.
  2. [R16] 5/5 · US Free Flow: So fun so Relaxing best way to came down
  3. [R20] 5/5 · US Good stuff: Really relaxing
  4. [R39] 5/5 · US Reaxling: Its a fun and relaxing brain puzzle
  5. [R2] 5/5 · US Great: It’s good for your brain and the controls are easy to understand.I highly recommend it for your children.
  6. [R33] 5/5 · US Fun: It’s a fun and easy game
  7. [R11] 5/5 · US worth it for the long haul: i started playing in 2014 and liked it so much that i bought it so there weren’t ads. i have fully completed the game but am still doing daily puzzles every day 12 years later.
  8. [R12] 4/5 · US So many levels: I love how many levels and variations there are! One thing I could do without is the ads.
  9. [R17] 5/5 · US Great game, no notes: I come back to this game just to restart and beat it about every 2-4 years. Started playing around 10 and I honestly love it, levels get harder gradually and don’t feel impossible or like they get hard outta nowhere. Love this game and will play it forever
  10. [R27] 5/5 · US Definitely my favorite puzzle game: It's simple yet challenging. It also has so many puzzles and still gets updates. Been playing since I was a kid, and still playing now.
  11. [R6] 5/5 · US The best game: That is really really, really really good. I like this game if you were looking at the comments right now it’s a really good game and it’s kind of a brain puzzle. I really like it. I think you all should try it.
  12. [R37] 4/5 · US Awesome game but ADs are annoying: I love this game I have been playing it for so long and have almost completed all the packs 2x over. I like to play this in my free time and it’s fun, sometimes when I play though there are way too many ads, and I do not want to pay for an ad free experience. If there is a way to make ads appear and then disappear in like 2 seconds that would be great. However, n
  13. [R832] 3/5 · AU Mental help: This game helps with my mental disabilities and will help any player with their mind to calm down
  14. [R7] 2/5 · US I hate ads: To many like way to many ads.
  15. [R8] 1/5 · US Ads Galore: I first played this in 2nd grade and I enjoyed it. I installed this again. I’m in 8th grade and disappointed. This game has a plethora of ads. And these aren’t your typical ads. They last a MINUTE. Every two levels you get an ad. Super sad for a good game. Can’t our hints like, replenish the next day? That’d be better than having to suffer through a minute long ad. Edit: SOME OF THE
  16. [R80] 3/5 · US LONG ADDS!!!!!: The adds last longer than the actual time I’m playing the game sometimes it feels
  17. [R128] 3/5 · US Too many ads: The game is fun but after every game you win, there’s an ad then you get to play another game then there’s an ad and another game and there’s another ad that’s ridiculous. That’s more stressful when you’re playing a game that’s supposed to be distressing you. I would imagine maybe after three games in a row you can have an ad but not after every game.
  18. [R144] 3/5 · US Ads: Fun game but ad plays after every level. 75% time the ad close button opens safari. Ad won’t close!
  19. [R213] 1/5 · US Adds: Adds are not closing out their getting stuck on the screen I have to close out the entire app just to keep the game going.
  20. [R218] 1/5 · US Force to click ads: You play a level and then you get an ad that doesn’t leave until you click on it. I have tried leaving it alone but it never continues until I click on the button to go to the App Store.
  21. [R18] 1/5 · US Scam: Game is fun but also a scam. After I bought the no-ads version I still have to watch stupid ads to get a hint. This is really annoying and disappointing!
  22. [R30] 1/5 · US So far, very unhappy: I bought the Ad free version, yet the Ads keep popping up. I HATE THAT!!! Can you please get rid of these ADs
  23. [R22] 5/5 · US Will Not Stay On Game: I paid for game of Free Flow. For some reason after I play first game it sends me to Royal Kingdom and will not let me go back to Free Flow. I am really upset that game I paid for to remove ads is giving me nothing but ads. Bummer.
  24. [R36] 1/5 · US Tons of ads & stop working: I used to love this game. Even my 11 and 12 year old loves to play it. But there’s so much ads. What’s even worse is that the game stopped working, yesterday. I no longer can get and play any of the daily and weekly games. I was thinking about purchasing the other games that they have. But when I click on purchase, there’s no price tag to inform you how much you will
  25. [R38] 5/5 · US App stopped working: I’ve been playing this game for a few years now and never had any problems… but a couple of days ago the app just stopped working and I’m pretty sure I lost my streak. I’m not sure what the problem is, but I hope it gets fixed soon.
  26. [R41] 1/5 · US App stopped working: The game stopped loading for me today and I’m going to lose my daily streak :(
  27. [R46] 1/5 · US Game Stopped Working Today: Been a daily player for a LONG time. It just stopped working today June 26th. Hopefully it gets fixed because I have a daily streak I don’t want to lose.
  28. [R266] 3/5 · GB Enjoyable but expensive: Reached a level I couldn’t manage easily, and hints are too expensive!
  29. [R342] 3/5 · GB Very good with a few flaws: This game is very good and peaceful to play; calms down and overactive brain such as mine. However there are far to many adverts and every time you want a hint you have to watch and advert, could be better if it was 3 hints per advert to be used at will.
  30. [R133] 1/5 · US Inappropriate ads & virus: I don’t know if it’s intentional or a virus, but these ads are popping up opening inappropriate pages. I let my child play games on my phone. My child clicks on everything that pops up. This very simple gaming app can’t even be trusted for my child to use.
  31. [R651] 3/5 · CA Ads: Please stop running the misogynist disgusting ads for a game called Project Makeover. What century are we in…. So gross.
  32. [R14] 5/5 · US Fun but a little easy: I’ve completed the first 150 levels with stars, fun game every once and a while, should add a endless mode
  33. [R355] 3/5 · GB Too easy!: Quite simply, this game is far too easy. There’s no challenge, so it gets repetitive and boring very quickly.
  34. [R468] 3/5 · GB Good, But…: Now dont get me wrong I enjoy the gameplay and its a good way to pass the time but My one massive issue is Its SO EASY, On the 9 x 9 “Hards” I just switched my brain off and subconsciously completed them.
  35. [R91] 3/5 · US so many ads: even for a free version
  36. [R4] 5/5 · US Flawless: This game help me relax with the water sounds,make more sounds like this

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