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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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Candy Crush Saga alternatives

Candy Crush Saga users often seek alternatives due to excessive ads, frequent pop-ups for purchases, and frustrating difficulty spikes that push for spending. Alternatives offer varied gameplay, fewer interruptions, or different puzzle mechanics to address these common complaints.

Why users look for alternatives to Candy Crush Saga

The alternatives

Royal Match
4.7★ · 3,723,769 ratings · Free

Royal Match is a match-3 game that some users enjoy for its relaxing and entertaining gameplay, with the added benefit of having no ads during play R56. Players appreciate that it doesn't pressure them to buy or lose points .

Better for: Royal Match is better for players who want a match-3 game with no ads and a relaxing experience R56. However, some users report that the game can become pay-to-win, with rewards being 'garbage' and levels requiring money to pass R51R53R55. There are also complaints that the game's ads are misleading and do not accurately represent the actual gameplay .

Head-to-head: Candy Crush Saga vs Royal Match
Candy Crush Soda Saga
4.7★ · 766,134 ratings · Free

Candy Crush Soda Saga is another match-3 game that some players find fun and challenging, similar to the original Candy Crush Saga . It features special candies like color bombs, gummy fish, and wrapped candies that can be combined for useful effects R66.

Better for: This game might suit players who enjoy the core Candy Crush gameplay but are looking for a slightly different twist with new mechanics R66. However, users report recent updates have made levels more difficult by reducing the number of moves and removing free daily boosters, leading to frustration R65. Some players also experience issues with streaks not being maintained and scam ads R67.

Head-to-head: Candy Crush Saga vs Candy Crush Soda Saga
Candy Crush Friends Saga
4.8★ · 628,080 ratings · Free

Candy Crush Friends Saga offers a match-3 experience with cute and silly 'friends' characters and candy-themed levels R83. Players enjoy the characters and holiday themes, finding it awesome and fun .

Better for: This game is better for players who enjoy the match-3 genre and appreciate character interaction and themed events R83. However, users report issues with long and freezing commercials R81, difficulty spikes that make levels impossible without spending money R83, and bugs like lost progress or missing sweet treats and power-ups R79. Some users were disappointed they couldn't play with friends immediately R82.

Head-to-head: Candy Crush Saga vs Candy Crush Friends Saga
Cookie Jam
4.7★ · 492,872 ratings · Free

Cookie Jam is a match-3 game that many long-time players find fun and relaxing, especially for passing time without internet access R94.

Better for: Cookie Jam is suitable for players looking for a relaxing match-3 game they can play offline R94. However, it is heavily criticized for an excessive number of ads that interrupt gameplay, freeze the app, and make the game unenjoyable R93R95R96. Users also dislike recent changes to the booster wheel, which now gives fewer useful boosters and more time-limited prizes .

Head-to-head: Candy Crush Saga vs Cookie Jam
Brain Test 2
4.8★ · 227,449 ratings · Free

Brain Test 2 is a puzzle game that users describe as fun, challenging, and great for making kids think differently R108. It features unique chapters and many levels, preventing boredom R108.

Better for: Brain Test 2 is better for players, especially kids, who enjoy brain-teasing puzzles and a different style of thinking compared to match-3 games R108. It is also free to play . However, a major downside is the overwhelming number of ads, with some users reporting an ad after every level or even after every two-second game, making it unplayable R107. Some users also found certain levels to be fatphobic or slow-paced R110.

Head-to-head: Candy Crush Saga vs Brain Test 2
Stick with Candy Crush Saga if

You should stick with Candy Crush Saga if you find its core match-3 gameplay uniquely fun and addictive, are willing to tolerate or pay to avoid the ads and pop-ups, and enjoy the challenge despite difficulty spikes R5.

Evidence note: No alternative had too-thin evidence.

Frequently asked

Why are there so many ads in Candy Crush Saga?
Candy Crush Saga has many ads and pop-ups for promotional offers, microtransactions, and other games, which users find intrusive and disruptive to gameplay R1R3R5R6.
Is Candy Crush Saga a pay-to-win game?
Many users feel Candy Crush Saga is a pay-to-win game because levels become extremely difficult or impossible without purchasing boosters, extra moves, or lives, forcing players to spend money to progress R2R3R7R16.
Does Candy Crush Saga have technical issues like crashing?
Yes, Candy Crush Saga users frequently report technical issues such as the app freezing or crashing, especially when winning a level or after playing for extended periods, leading to lost progress, power-ups, and lives R7R28R30R33.

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] Candy Crush Saga 1/5 · US Ads: I am ready to cancel this game! Stop the long and stupid ads. I don’t want anything that you are advertising! They freeze up my iPad, and don’t give me my boosts!!!
  2. [R3] Candy Crush Saga 3/5 · US El stinky but good.: Very nice character design , good to pass time, but I will always hate the constant push for micro transactions and paywalls- “watch an ad to replay!” Its annoying it’s a shame that candy crush has succumbed to this level too
  3. [R4] Candy Crush Saga 2/5 · US I would not recommend for you children: It’s Boring and lots of ads
  4. [R5] Candy Crush Saga 5/5 · US So you mf will stop asking me: Candy Crush is still a fun and addictive puzzle game with plenty of levels and satisfying gameplay. It’s easy to pick up and play for a few minutes or get lost in for much longer. The biggest downside is the constant pop-up ads and promotional offers. It feels like every time you finish a level, open the game, or return to the main screen, you’re hit with another of
  5. [R2] Candy Crush Saga 5/5 · US Sooo good: This is really good but I have a few suggestions. 1. No money 2. Free boosters at whatever level Other that that, this game is perfect
  6. [R7] Candy Crush Saga 1/5 · US Bad game: Game keeps crashing when winning. Wants more money. Rip off.
  7. [R16] Candy Crush Saga 1/5 · US Level 18587 BORING AND STUPID: IMPOSSIBLE even with full boosts. I have played it dozens of times and can’t pass. THEY ARE FORCING YOU TO PURCHASE TO PLAY. SAD AND PATHETIC GAME. DONT WASTE YOUR TIME. 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻
  8. [R28] Candy Crush Saga 1/5 · US Awful: Crashes every time I play on every level and waist my power ups and lives. And yes I’m running on the most current version
  9. [R30] Candy Crush Saga 3/5 · US App Freezes, You take a Loss: whenever the app feeezes, I lose the level >:(
  10. [R33] Candy Crush Saga 3/5 · US Freezes: Have been playing a long time. Now on level 10641. It freezes every time I am going to win. The last time I used 10 bars, wasted. Sometimes there is a reward for the freeze but I have not seen that for a few days. Might be time to stop playing.
  11. [R12] Candy Crush Saga 3/5 · US It’s okay but…: I like playing the game but the gyrations you have to go through between the comments keyed level and the next level is ridiculous. Layer after layer of add-ons, potential purchases, etc make playing the simple game a burden. Sometimes it takes twice as long to access the next level as it does to play it. There are other similar games that don’t force players to do nearly as much.
  12. [R15] Candy Crush Saga 3/5 · US Fun but so annoying: Every once in a while I will open candy crush and think oh this is fun why did I stop playing? Then I am bombarded with enough pop ups to give me a stroke. Thus I close the ap. This time I’m uninstalling ✌🏻
  13. [R39] Candy Crush Saga 3/5 · GB Pop ups: I used to love this game when I was younger came back for a bit of nostalgia but it’s just constant pop ups about races and trading cards. Why does this game need trading cards? it becomes extremely annoying when you’re just trying to complete the levels. Please get rid of some of the pop ups they’re not needed and just take away from the rest of the game.
  14. [R50] Candy Crush Saga 2/5 · US Too busy: There are too many side games and collection junk to enjoy just playing the game. It takes forever just to get into a level to play because of all of the forced interruptions. Deleting. There are much better match games out there.
  15. [R21] Candy Crush Saga 3/5 · US Horrible update ..who makes these decisions?: 3 updates ago king took away the bonus plays we could have (after watching ads)it was so much fun to be able to try finishing a level with those extra plays.Seriously!!! Why?Some of us play for the joy of it and that gave us the ability to move forward and just keep playing the game.Get it back,Please
  16. [R22] Candy Crush Saga 2/5 · US Ya están difíciles: Ya están muy difíciles los mundos y a fuerzas quiere que compre corazones o bosters para pasarlos ya no te dan anuncios para poder agarrar más corazones
  17. [R43] Candy Crush Saga 2/5 · US Fed up!: After years of playing this game it has become seriously un fun lately, I’ve gone through some times before where it has been bad, but this is the worst! Every level takes days or weeks to get through and they have removed the chance for extra moves by watching ads. I guess the goal is to force me to use up my gold bars to win, but I only use them when there is a chance of winning somethi
  18. [R51] Royal Match 1/5 · US ITS JUST WHATEVER ATP: I download this game a long time ago. I redownloaded it again good thing my account was there there! Anyways back to why I rate it a 1. This game is so much fun. WELL IT USED TO🙄. I had so many money and I keep on messing a round up but I used all my money now I have 100 smth. It’s so unfair because if you don’t want to pay to get more moves you lose some stuff like that’s a
  19. [R53] Royal Match 2/5 · US It’s okay: The game is a good game to pass time, rewards are garbage, so you will end paying money to play. The one good thing is you can play with out service.
  20. [R55] Royal Match 1/5 · US Cheating: This game cheats and makes you spend money over and over if you want to win. My 30 minute free time gets used up trying to beat ONE LEVEL!! It happens too often. I’m just not going to play anymore.
  21. [R56] Royal Match 5/5 · US Best Game: I love this game it helps me relax and keeps me entertained. 5/5
  22. [R65] Candy Crush Soda Saga 2/5 · US Yo: What happen to the moves now y’all giving 15 moves knowing good well it’s not enough
  23. [R66] Candy Crush Soda Saga 4/5 · US I like it: Sometimes I get struggling but the color bomb is useful even combined gummy fish and wrap candy
  24. [R67] Candy Crush Soda Saga 3/5 · US STOP TAKING MY STREAKS: I play Candy Crush Soda saga multiple times a day. Even on a busy day I make a point of playing the game for a minute or two just keep up my streak. It never fails that just out of the blue it tells me I skipped a day. I make sure the time is evenly spaced out so there’s no gap. I’m tired of you taking away my progress.
  25. [R68] Candy Crush Soda Saga 1/5 · US No longer Fun: It has become more frustrating than fun. Does not matter how many ads watched!
  26. [R79] Candy Crush Friends Saga 2/5 · US Update: Ever since the recent update, have had problems with the game-short to download, upcoming challenge disappeared. I have shut IPAD down and restarted without changing above issues
  27. [R81] Candy Crush Friends Saga 3/5 · US Commercials: The commercials are getting longer They are layered one on top of another Also the really long commercials freeze the screen Takes all the fun out of playing
  28. [R82] Candy Crush Friends Saga 1/5 · US I didn’t get to play with friends: I am very dissapointed to say that I downloaded this game in hopes to get to play with my friends as soon as I downloaded it but I was very dissapointed when I did not get to play with them asap.
  29. [R83] Candy Crush Friends Saga 4/5 · US Gets boring after a while: Candy Crush Friends is fun, but after a while, the levels get boring and impossible to pass. And no, I’m not paying real money for fake gold bars for extra moves. However, the “friends” are really cute and silly, and I like the adorable candy-themed levels. I would recommend getting the game if you want, but be prepared for very hard levels. -chilicheesefrito
  30. [R93] Cookie Jam 1/5 · US Ads: Always an ad every time makes you not even want to play the game at all!
  31. [R94] Cookie Jam 5/5 · US Longtime Player: I play every morning. It’s fun and relaxing
  32. [R95] Cookie Jam 3/5 · US Soso: Too much ad
  33. [R96] Cookie Jam 1/5 · US Joke: If you like watching ads, this game is for you! Very few moves to complete level so have to watch ads to get more moves. Then the computer makes most of the moves for you. Very little choice. In addition, you have no control over the free spin you get . This game has become very disappointing. Used to be fun.
  34. [R107] Brain Test 2 1/5 · US How is this any fun?: You have to watch a 30 second video for a two second game ,every single game ,way ridiculous anybody that’s got that much time on their hands needs to get a life. Ridiculous!
  35. [R108] Brain Test 2 5/5 · US BEST GAME EVER: I love this game. I’ve been playing it for so many days straight it’s like Brain Test one but better cause they have different chapters and each chapter so unique I can’t stop playing this game and I love the characters this game deserves five stars😃
  36. [R109] Brain Test 2 3/5 · US Run, but a few bugs.: This is one of the funnest games EVER. Unfortunately, however, there are a few bugs. One is on a level where you need to drag barrels, you move them to the correct position, but they just move back, wasting valuable time. Please fix this!
  37. [R110] Brain Test 2 1/5 · US It’s just bad: I got this game because I liked the old one but all this game does is fat shame people. The game makes it look like being bigger than other people is bad. And it’s targeted to kids so that doesn’t really help. It’s also slow paced and boring. Also this is not meant to be taken personally i am very extremely sorry if this hurt you on any way. I just have these feelings towards it bec
  38. [R6] Candy Crush Saga 3/5 · US Too many ads: Said it all in the title

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