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

Plants vs. Zombies™

45
User verdict / 100 High confidence Divided

Plants vs. Zombies is still praised for its classic gameplay and nostalgic appeal, but recent updates have severely impacted the user experience with an overwhelming number of unskippable ads, frequent crashes, and removal of previously standard features.

4.8★ lifetime (917,324) Free + in-app purchases since 2014 by EA Swiss Sarl updated 2.0 mo ago recent negative 36% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Ads Crashes & Bugs Nostalgia & Gameplay Monetization & Features Progress Loss
5★473
4★103
3★66
2★80
1★278
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.8★ lifetime average

Plants vs. Zombies continues to be a beloved classic, with many users expressing nostalgia and enjoyment for its core gameplay. However, recent reviews highlight significant issues including an excessive amount of ads, game crashes, and changes to features like lawnmowers, which have led to a frustrating experience for many players.

What users like

  • Classic and nostalgic gameplay is still highly enjoyable and addictive for many playersR1R3R6R8

What users complain about

  • Excessive and intrusive ads frequently interrupt gameplay, appearing between levels, transitions, and even within mini-games, making the game unplayable for someR4R9R11R13
  • Frequent game crashes and freezing, especially on iOS devices and at specific levels, lead to lost progress and an unplayable experienceR20R24R25R26
  • Previously standard features, such as all lawnmowers, are now locked behind ads or in-app purchases, which feels like 'price gouging' and 'greed'R16R19R58R75
  • In-app purchases are buggy, with users reporting being charged twice or not receiving purchased itemsR49R89R120
  • Game progress is not reliably saved, with many users losing all progress after reinstalling or experiencing crashesR12R20R28R350
  • The 'remove ads' purchase is ineffective, as ads still appear after paymentR58R93

Latest update · v3.16.0

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

Hello, smarty plants! Your zombie-zapping experience will get better with some behind-the-scenes updates and brain-picking improvements. As always, thanks for playing.

Recurring themes

Ads negative
Many users report an overwhelming and intrusive number of ads, appearing between every level, transition, and even for basic features like lawnmowers. These ads are often unskippable and make the game 'unplayable' or 'excruciating'. Some users who paid to remove ads still experience them.R4R9R11R13
Crashes & Bugs negative
Many users report frequent game crashes, freezing, and being kicked out of the app, particularly on iOS devices and at specific points like 'Adventure 2 Pool Level 3'. This contradicts the developer's vague update notes about 'behind-the-scenes updates and brain-picking improvements'.R20R24R25R26
Nostalgia & Gameplay positive
Despite the issues, many users still love the core game, calling it a 'masterpiece,' 'peak,' and 'the best classic'. Many have played it for years and appreciate its fun and challenging strategy.R1R2R3R5
Monetization & Features negative
Users criticize EA for 'ruining' the game with 'microtransaction cancer' and 'greed'. Specific complaints include the removal of all lawnmowers, requiring ads to get them back, and buggy in-app purchases where charges go through but items are not received.R4R16R19R48
Progress Loss negative
Multiple reviews mention losing all game progress after crashes, reinstalling the app, or due to issues with Game Center/EA accounts.R12R20R28R350

Who it's for

This game is for players who enjoy classic tower defense strategy and have a strong nostalgic connection to Plants vs. Zombies, provided they are willing to tolerate frequent interruptions from ads and potential game instability R3R6. It is not for players who expect a smooth, ad-free experience or reliable progress saving R4R20R42R51.

Evidence note: The recent reviews skew heavily negative, focusing on ads and crashes, which contrasts sharply with the lifetime 4.8-star rating. This suggests a significant decline in user experience post-monetization and recent updates. The developer's notes are too vague to address specific user complaints about crashes or ads.

Frequently asked

Does Plants vs. Zombies have too many ads?
Yes, many recent reviews indicate that Plants vs. Zombies now has an excessive number of ads, appearing between every level and transition, making the game 'unplayable' for some users R17R42R51R61.
Does Plants vs. Zombies crash frequently?
Yes, many users report frequent game crashes and freezing, especially on iOS devices and at specific levels like 'Adventure 2 Pool Level 3,' leading to lost progress and an unplayable experience R20R24R25R28.
Can you remove ads in Plants vs. Zombies?
While there is an option to purchase ad removal, some users report that ads still appear even after paying for this feature R58R93.
Is game progress saved in Plants vs. Zombies?
Many users report issues with game progress not being reliably saved, often losing all progress after reinstalling the app or experiencing crashes R12R20R28R350.

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 I like the game: This game made me happy and my head liked it so I like it
  2. [R3] 5/5 · US 10/10 og game: Iv been playing this since 2016
  3. [R6] 5/5 · US Best game I’ve played😎🤩: This is the best game I’ve played!!! I love this game and im addicted very fun game and i recommend it
  4. [R8] 5/5 · US so fun: ive play for so long
  5. [R4] 1/5 · US EA has utterly ruined this masterpiece: Micro transaction cancer that EA is to this game
  6. [R9] 1/5 · US Muchos anuncios: Cada nivel te comes demasiados anuncios es muy fastidioso 👎
  7. [R11] 1/5 · US Plants vs. Zombies: Was, a good game until between every phase ads kickass.
  8. [R13] 4/5 · US Great game, too much ads: Game is fun, but there’s too many ads
  9. [R20] 1/5 · US COMPLETE BS: Made it to Adventure 2 and the game started bugging. After each round it would freeze. So I thought easy fix reinstall. IT DELETED ALL MY PROGRESS. Even though I am on an Iphone and have game center. EA SUPPORT is useless.COMPLETE BS.
  10. [R24] 3/5 · US Ads crashing game: PvZ is a good game but the ads are too much I understand this is how games make their money but if you play on IOS your forced to play with the WiFi off because your game will crash if you get an add and the fact the you need to watch ads if you want to have all your lawn mowers is crazy
  11. [R25] 1/5 · US Unplayable on iPhone keeps closing: Unplayable
  12. [R26] 2/5 · US Mặc dù game hay nhma lag quá chơi cứ bị thoát game ko hiểu lý do.: Nói thật chứ chơi rất rất vui luôn gắn kết bạn bè anh em lại với nhau, nhưng ko hiểu sao cứ chơi là lại bị thoát game mik buồn lắm tại xin mẹ mãi mới đc cho. Mong game xem xét lại. 😭😭😭
  13. [R16] 4/5 · US Absolutely amazing but I don’t like the new developers: The new developers have been adding way too many ads and purchases. I also just generally don’t like them, but besides that it’s an amazing game. I have a really fun time and I will definitely recommend it. It’s really fun for a mobile game. This is like top.
  14. [R19] 2/5 · US It decent 😒: It’s still pvz but this is What? we have now it’s mostly sad to many ads now 3 levels per day and tacking lawnmowers behind ads!
  15. [R58] 2/5 · US Still getting ads even after buying ad remover: The game is fine, but they changed several things with in the game to get you to spend money. Like not having all of the lawnmowers at the start, only giving you three and making you watch an ad for the other two that instantly go instead of just sitting there when you need them. As someone who has spent the two dollars to remove the ads, I still ge
  16. [R75] 1/5 · US Once this wa good: EA littered this game with adds including for lawnmowers why are there even Micro transactions here. Just pay for the game all there is now is greed nothing else whatsoever it doesn't even feel like the classic anymore the EA devs don't even know what pvz Is and they claim that they do
  17. [R49] 4/5 · US Reeeeeeeeally good game 🙂😀but just 1 thing🤯😡: So I was at crazy Dave’s shop and then I saw beautiful plants Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa😍🥰😘 but I didn’t have enough 🪙 s so then we bought some for 0.99$ and then they were just taking the 0.99$ then next day still didn’t see it next day didn’t see it and boom 🤯 never see it so guys pvz1 and PvZ2 andPVZ hero and all the 🌱 🆚🧟‍♂️games are sooooooooo cool. 😎 and
  18. [R89] 1/5 · US I NEED MY REFUND!: I recently made an ingame transaction, and EA charged me twice. I bought something that cost me $4.99, and in my bank account it showed $10. I tried getting a refund but I can't because I didn't have a EA account before purchasing my item, and they have a 24hr policy. I definitely got scammed and don't think I'll ever purchase from this game ever again. I trusted ya'll 💔
  19. [R120] 1/5 · US Charges went thru but the coins didn’t show up in the game.: I approved the purchase and the charge went thru on my card but the coin didn’t show up in her game. I need someone help fixing this problem
  20. [R12] 1/5 · US Amazing game: Amazing game dude been playing since I was 5 years old but would love if you saved progression if uninstalled
  21. [R28] 1/5 · US Doesn’t work: I’ve had to uninstall and reinstall the app many times and it restarts me every time! When it reaches certain levels it just stops working and it’s random so I can be far in my progress and it’ll just choose to stop working. I’ve waited days before as well but nothing works. My phone is updated to app was up to date with all updates as well. The app will load but once you try to star
  22. [R350] 3/5 · GB Good but…: This has been my childhood game since i was 5 and i would go around school saying ‘brains’ or: ‘the zombies are coming’. But now, whenever i open the app, i can see the popcap black screen then the audio gets distorted and i crash. I tried to re-download the app but all of my progress got deleted. i freed up 16 giga bites or storage to update my i pad, but it still crashes. Please help
  23. [R93] 1/5 · US Is EA that broke?: I paid 2.99 to get rid of ads and the ads have magically returned! This brings back a lot of nostalgia - sad that it’s been ruined by annoying, unavoidable ads every 10 seconds 🤦‍♂️
  24. [R2] 5/5 · US Peak: Boboclat
  25. [R5] 5/5 · US O: Zombies there coming
  26. [R48] 1/5 · US Why?: Ea and pop cap stop being greedy
  27. [R17] 2/5 · US Too many ads: I know ads provide revenue for you, but two in between each adventure? I am spending more time watching ads than playing the game. You have taken a fun, humorous game and made it excruciating.
  28. [R42] 1/5 · US Ads!!!!!: The number of ads makes this unplayable.
  29. [R51] 1/5 · US Extremely aggressive advertising: Do not play this game unless you love intrusive advertising
  30. [R61] 1/5 · US Electronic Arts ruined this: Electronic Arts has ruined one of the games that defined mobile gaming when it first came out. Have a video ad forced between every round is torture and makes my vow to never buy an EA game even stronger. Boo hisss for such blatant greed.

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