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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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Is it worth paying for

Flow Free

70
Value score / 100 Worth paying? Depends It depends

Flow Free is a highly addictive and relaxing puzzle game that offers significant value for free, but the overwhelming number of ads in the free version makes the paid ad-free option almost essential for an enjoyable experience.

Free + in-app purchases seen up to $9.99 4.8★ lifetime (399,146) since 2012

Flow Free is a popular puzzle game praised for its relaxing and time-consuming gameplay, with many users enjoying it for years R4R12. However, the free version is heavily criticized for an excessive number of long, unskippable ads that significantly disrupt gameplay R5R92R103R140. While the game itself is highly rated, the ad experience often pushes users towards the paid ad-free option, which some reviewers claim still shows ads for hints R30R42.

Free vs paid

The free version of Flow Free provides access to a vast number of puzzles and is generally considered fun and engaging R1R4R6R11. However, it is heavily monetized with frequent and lengthy ads, often appearing after every one or two levels, lasting up to a minute, and sometimes forcing users to click them or preventing them from closing R5R92R140R230. Some users report that even after purchasing the 'no-ads' version, they still encounter ads for hints R30R42. Hints themselves require watching an ad in the free version, and some users wish for a better system like daily replenishment or multiple hints per ad R5. The paid version is intended to remove these ads, and long-term players who bought it years ago report a consistently ad-free experience R23.

Value complaints

  • Too many ads, often long, unskippable, and appearing after almost every level, making the free experience frustrating.R5R92R140R178
  • Ads sometimes force users to click them or open external pages, making it difficult to return to the game.R156R230R465
  • Users who paid for the 'no-ads' version still report seeing ads for hints, which is disappointing and feels like a scam.R30R42
  • Hints are too expensive or require watching an ad for each one, with no option for daily replenishment or multiple hints per ad.R5R9R127R266
  • The pricing for in-app purchases is considered too high by some users.R127
  • Some ads are inappropriate or lead to questionable content, raising concerns for child users.R145R652

Where it delivers

  • The game is highly relaxing, fun, and a great way to pass time or cure boredom.R1R4R8R11
  • It offers a simple yet challenging puzzle experience that is good for the brain and keeps players concentrated.R15R19R37R39
  • The game has a vast number of levels and variations, providing long-term engagement and replayability.R4R10R24R26
  • Many users have played the game for years, highlighting its enduring appeal and nostalgic value.R3R6R12R23
  • The game is free to download and play, offering significant entertainment without an upfront cost.R11R109R772
Worth paying if

It is worth paying for Flow Free if you enjoy simple, relaxing puzzle games and are significantly bothered by frequent, long, and intrusive ads that interrupt gameplay R5R140. Paying is also recommended if you plan to play for extended periods or want to avoid ads that sometimes lead to inappropriate content R145.

Skip / stay free if

You should skip paying for Flow Free if you are unwilling to pay to remove ads, as the free experience is heavily disrupted by them . Also, skip if you expect a completely ad-free experience after purchase, as some users report still seeing ads for hints R30R42. If you find the game too easy, it may not offer enough challenge to justify a purchase .

Evidence note: Recent reviews (mostly 1-3 stars) are heavily skewed negative due to ad complaints and app not working issues, contrasting with the high lifetime rating (4.78). This suggests a decline in user experience over time, particularly for the free version.

Frequently asked

Is Flow Free truly free to play?
Yes, Flow Free is free to download and play, offering many levels without an upfront cost R11R109. However, the free experience is heavily interrupted by frequent and long advertisements R5R92R103R140.
Are there too many ads in Flow Free?
Yes, many recent reviews indicate there are too many ads in Flow Free, with users reporting ads after every one or two levels, lasting up to a minute, and sometimes being unskippable or forcing clicks R5R92R140R178.
Does buying the 'no-ads' version completely remove all ads?
While the 'no-ads' version is intended to remove ads, some users report still encountering ads for hints even after purchasing it R30R42. Long-term players who bought it years ago report a consistently ad-free experience R23.
Is Flow Free still being updated with new levels?
The game does receive updates and has many puzzles, with some users mentioning daily puzzles R39R170R437. However, one review noted that a recent update added more ads but no new levels R437.
Is Flow Free suitable for children?
The game itself is a simple puzzle that some reviewers recommend for children R15. However, one parent reported inappropriate ads popping up and opening questionable pages, making it untrustworthy for children R145.
Why is my Flow Free app not working?
Several recent reviews indicate issues with the app stopping working, freezing, or not loading daily/weekly puzzles, particularly around June 2026, with some users losing progress R48R53R58R96.

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. [R5] 1/5 · US Too many ads, read before getting.: 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
  2. [R92] 3/5 · US LONG ADDS!!!!!: The adds last longer than the actual time I’m playing the game sometimes it feels
  3. [R140] 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.
  4. [R178] 1/5 · US Decent game plagued with ads: Receiving an Ad every two levels completed is ridiculous. Good puzzle game plagued by ads…
  5. [R156] 3/5 · US Ads: Fun game but ad plays after every level. 75% time the ad close button opens safari. Ad won’t close!
  6. [R230] 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.
  7. [R465] 3/5 · GB Greta game, annoying Ads: I really want to buy this game and the related ones because they are super fun, but I'm super put off by the overly forceful ad approach; they happen frequently, and when I tap to do miss an ad, I'm taken to what looks like the purchase page or whatever for it. I can't support this bad practise with my money, otherwise I'd love to buy them.
  8. [R30] 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!
  9. [R42] 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
  10. [R9] 1/5 · US No. I don’t want to pay for more hints!: Stop asking me to buy hints. Let me turn this upsell garbage off.
  11. [R127] 3/5 · US Expensive and a little confusing: It’s a really good game but the settings should show what turning on and off does to it. Also the micro transactions should be cheaper so they get more sales and the other person thinks it’s a good deal and it’s a win win for everyone
  12. [R266] 3/5 · GB Enjoyable but expensive: Reached a level I couldn’t manage easily, and hints are too expensive!
  13. [R145] 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.
  14. [R652] 3/5 · CA Ads: Please stop running the misogynist disgusting ads for a game called Project Makeover. What century are we in…. So gross.
  15. [R1] 5/5 · US AwSoMe: GREAT game to cure your boredom. 100% would recommend to anyone who has trouble with finding out what to do
  16. [R4] 5/5 · US So relaxing and fun: I love how I can just sit on my couch and play this game and relax and don’t even know how much time goes by like I could be waiting for a doctor or something and playing Flow Free the next moment I’m out of the hospital for urgent care like this game is so fun so relaxing and time-consuming. I would say, though I would like some new levels because I have already beat in the g
  17. [R8] 5/5 · US It’s a time killer: Simple and fun.
  18. [R11] 5/5 · US Amazing ❤️🫶🏽: This is a great thing to get your mind on stuff . It is just 1 amazing game. if you’re bored that can keep you concentrated. This is one of my favorite games. Ever free is the best.
  19. [R15] 5/5 · US Great: It’s good for your brain and the controls are easy to understand.I highly recommend it for your children.
  20. [R19] 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.
  21. [R37] 5/5 · US My opinion on Flow Free: It’s a good game for grinding and attempting to get all the achievements that is really fun and while sometimes frustrating when you get a board completed it is just a nice relieving feeling
  22. [R39] 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.
  23. [R10] 5/5 · US It’s kind of fun and also hard: I don’t know what to say but it kind of sucks. All of them are so easy. I literally completed all of them so fast, but I really like it. I’ll give it four stars.
  24. [R24] 4/5 · US So many levels: I love how many levels and variations there are! One thing I could do without is the ads.
  25. [R26] 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
  26. [R3] 5/5 · US Reminds me: This game is the same game I would play with my grandma before she died so this brings me back.
  27. [R6] 5/5 · US Super fun: I played this game when I was little and just recently found it again and wow please get it.
  28. [R12] 5/5 · US Relaxing game: I’ve played this game for years n tho I forget it exists lol it’s still fun n relaxing
  29. [R23] 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.
  30. [R109] 1/5 · US Huge downfall: Why so many ads? Like seriously what happened to the old days when a game of this quality would be completely free with no ads? You used to be something worth playing. This is gross and disappointing.
  31. [R772] 3/5 · AU To many ads: This is a very good game but there are to many ads. Every time I play there is an ad. The over all game play is fun but you have to in about six months to get 1000+ levels after you play them all (not counting daily and weekly games). I do understand that this is free and runs on ads to stay alive but there to many of the same ten ads that keep getting repeated and repeated over and
  32. [R103] 3/5 · US so many ads: even for a free version
  33. [R170] 3/5 · US Fun but stopped tracking stats: It’s fun and there’s always new puzzles, but the app has apparently stopped tracking my progress and achievements since the start of the year. Kind of frustrating for a paid app
  34. [R437] 3/5 · GB New update!!: ‘We’ve updated!!’ ...now the ‘next game’ box is coloured and theres more adverts. no new levels though. But all criticism aside, its as good as it needs to be. Just adverts never used to be a thing, now theyre more prevalent than levels. Update: now with even more adverts
  35. [R48] 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
  36. [R53] 1/5 · US App stopped working: The game stopped loading for me today and I’m going to lose my daily streak :(
  37. [R58] 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.
  38. [R96] 1/5 · US I'm really just heartbroken: I got so far into the game where i unlocked so much and it stopped working on my phone. I deleted it knowing i will have to start all over again but it still won't work. I would play the game like an hour a day durning school because it was the only thing that would work. deleting it was the hardest thing i had to make myself do but I did it just to be hurt all over ag

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