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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Genies & Gems vs Cookie Jam

Genies & Gems 4.7★ · Free + IAP 65
Winner Cookie Jam
Cookie Jam 4.7★ · Free + IAP 70

Cookie Jam has a slight edge over Genies & Gems due to fewer reports of game-breaking bugs and a slightly more positive sentiment from long-term players, despite both suffering from a recent increase in ads and recycled content.

Full reviews: Genies & Gems · Cookie Jam

Both Genies & Gems and Cookie Jam are free-to-play match-3 games with in-app purchases, and both have seen a recent surge in negative reviews primarily due to an increase in unskippable ads and perceived changes to gameplay mechanics. While Genies & Gems struggles with more frequent reports of freezing and crashing, Cookie Jam faces criticism for reduced rewards and repetitive levels.

Head to head

Ads and Monetization tieR1R2R3R7
Genies & Gems Genies & Gems users are highly frustrated by the sudden increase in ads, with many reporting ads after every level or replay, some being too long, unskippable, or even malicious R1R2R3R7. Some users also feel the game has become too expensive, requiring purchases to progress at higher levels R18R52.
Cookie Jam Cookie Jam players also express significant annoyance with the recent introduction and increase of mandatory ads, often appearing after every game, even wins R61. Specific ads, like Kalshi and Temu, are criticized for being too long or freezing the game, causing loss of progress or time-based bonuses .
Gameplay and Level Design tieR4R5R12R13
Genies & Gems Many long-term Genies & Gems players report that levels are being recycled, especially at higher levels R4R5R12R58. Some users also find the game cheats with power-ups like butterflies not targeting needed tiles R13. Recent changes have also made the game harder, with decreased coin worth and less helpful boosters .
Cookie Jam Cookie Jam players also note a decline in creativity and variety in level design, with many levels feeling repetitive R102. Users are frustrated by the reduction in available moves for difficult levels, making progression challenging without purchases . There are also complaints about the booster wheel giving less desirable rewards .
Reliability and Performance edge: Cookie JamR6R10R21R22
Genies & Gems Genies & Gems users frequently report issues with the game freezing, locking up, or crashing, often leading to loss of progress R6R10R39. Some also experience lagging, slow performance, or excessively fast gameplay after updates R21R22R25.
Cookie Jam Cookie Jam users also encounter freezing and crashing issues, preventing them from playing or leading to lost items . Some ads are specifically noted for freezing the game .
User Experience and Satisfaction tieR2R7R8R9
Genies & Gems While many long-time Genies & Gems players express enduring love for the game R8, recent changes, particularly the ad inundation, have significantly diminished their enjoyment R2R7. Some dislike the removal of landscape view or changes to power-up availability R9.
Cookie Jam Cookie Jam also has a dedicated player base who find it fun, relaxing, challenging, and even therapeutic . However, the recent increase in ads and changes to rewards have led to widespread disappointment and a feeling that the game has lost its charm and fun .
Support and Updates tieR22R25R30R31
Genies & Gems Some Genies & Gems users report that customer support offered no new solutions for freezing issues R39 or provided vague responses regarding ad changes R31. Updates are sometimes linked to performance issues or increased ads R22R25R30R39.
Cookie Jam Cookie Jam users mention being unable to get support when stuck on a level . Updates are often associated with the introduction of more ads .
Pick Genies & Gems if

Pick Genies & Gems if you prefer a game with a storyline and characters that some find captivating and motivating, and you are willing to tolerate frequent ads and potential performance issues .

Pick Cookie Jam if

Pick Cookie Jam if you are looking for a match-3 game that many long-term players find relaxing and therapeutic, even with recent changes to ads and rewards .

Evidence note: The evidence for both apps is heavily skewed towards recent negative reviews, primarily concerning the increase in ads and perceived changes in gameplay. While both have high lifetime ratings, the recent sentiment indicates a decline in user satisfaction.

Frequently asked

Are Genies & Gems and Cookie Jam free to play?
Yes, both Genies & Gems and Cookie Jam are free to download and play, but they include in-app purchases (IAP) and now feature numerous ads R2R18R52R61.
Do these games have too many ads?
Yes, both Genies & Gems and Cookie Jam are heavily criticized by recent reviewers for having an excessive number of ads, often appearing after every level or replay, with some being unskippable or causing the game to freeze R1R7R40R61.
Are there issues with game performance?
Genies & Gems users frequently report the game freezing, locking up, or crashing, leading to lost progress, and some experience lagging or changes in game speed after updates R6R10R22R39. Cookie Jam also has reports of freezing, crashing, and ads getting stuck .
Do the games recycle levels?
Yes, players of both Genies & Gems and Cookie Jam report that levels are frequently recycled, especially at higher levels, leading to a repetitive experience R4R5R58R102.

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] Genies & Gems 1/5 · US Level 3,405: Kalshi ad is too long. The moment I see it, I leave genies & gems. Most times I can’t get my spin after a Kalshi ad anyway…. Kalshi strikes again! After completing the ad which is entirely too long I did not receive my spin. What a ripoff.
  2. [R2] Genies & Gems 4/5 · US Used to be fun: Used to play this a lot. Now there’s an ad after each goal is reached. I close out and reopen. Pain. Now I recall why I stopped playing game. Too many ads. Will not purchase to avoid ads. No game is worth it.
  3. [R3] Genies & Gems 3/5 · US Ads: I’ve been playing this app for years and have never been bothered about the ads. But! The ads that pop up saying “your phone has been hacked” or “you have 120 viruses on your phone” don’t stop I will delete it and move to a different game!
  4. [R7] Genies & Gems 1/5 · US Suddenly an obnoxious number of ads: I played this game for a week. Suddenly, there is an obnoxious number of ads before EACH replay of a level. So I deleted the app.
  5. [R4] Genies & Gems 1/5 · US Levels are Recycled: I can’t tell you how many levels I have played over and over again under the guise that it’s a new level. I am currently on level 9703 and I have played that level at least 3 times before. Why not just say you’ve reached the end of the game (like they used to) instead of making it appear like new levels are being added when it actually isn’t. That’s deceitful.
  6. [R5] Genies & Gems 5/5 · US More levels?: I love this game and have been playing it for years. I am almost at level 9000 but it seems the last 1000 or so are just repeating levels every 100 or so. None of the levels I have played recently are new. All just repeats of levels I’ve already beat.
  7. [R12] Genies & Gems 3/5 · US Elite Level: After years of playing this game, I was so excited as I approached level 10,000. All of a sudden I get a message that I moved to an elite level without a y explanation of whAt this is and now I am at all these random lower levels. Haven't you stopped creating higher levels?
  8. [R13] Genies & Gems 1/5 · US Lots of cheating going on: This game cheats a lot with butterflies. Ex: You have one more tile to uncover and butterflies won’t go directly there for the win they’ll go somewhere else not needed.
  9. [R6] Genies & Gems 3/5 · US So close, but so far...: It’s fun and all, but there have been too many times where the gems freeze, gems don’t fill up open spaces, or the butterflies are completely useless. The levels are passable but this constantly happening makes your game increasingly difficult and frustrating. I find myself playing less and less when I really enjoyed it in the beginning.
  10. [R10] Genies & Gems 2/5 · US Regularly locks up: Entertaining but far too often it locks up, usually just as I’m close to completing a level, requiring force-quitting the game which restarts the level losing all progress. Really frustrating.
  11. [R21] Genies & Gems 3/5 · US Game play speed: Game play has been sped up by 10x. The graphics move way too fast. It’s not as enjoyable. Put it back the way it was please
  12. [R22] Genies & Gems 2/5 · US Troubled game and more ads now: Ever since the iOS 26.0.1 update, the game has been lagging and slower. I have to delete and then go back and still lagging. Please fix. Only game I play and I want to keep at it.
  13. [R8] Genies & Gems 5/5 · US Love this game: I been playing this game for years . It never gets old to me . I would recommend this game to anyone you will love it .
  14. [R9] Genies & Gems 3/5 · US Changes: Why no extra spins anymore or ways to get extra helps with ads?
  15. [R25] Genies & Gems 1/5 · US Back to running slow: New update slowed the game down to a crawl.
  16. [R30] Genies & Gems 3/5 · US Updates: I can’t stand updating games that just add more ads. I get having ads for extra boosters. Now it’s giving me more ads between games. That’s why I delete games that have ads every time I get to another level or have to redo a level. STOP IT! I use to give this game 5 stars. Not anymore!
  17. [R31] Genies & Gems 2/5 · US Ad changes: I contacted customer support regarding the lack of extra spins and ad support and was told they were aware and were working with ad providers. Was told to just keep playing and they may return. I think this is just a ploy to get us to purchase boosters. I am over level 10,000 and had collected quite a few boosters because you need them at that level. I also occasionally purchased bo
  18. [R18] Genies & Gems 3/5 · US Expensive game: As the levels get harder an average gamer must use up help and the help is too expensive. I like the game, got addicted pretty quickly but reached a point where I either play the same level repeatedly. I could easily spend $100 or more to keep going and I choose not to.
  19. [R52] Genies & Gems 1/5 · US Interesting Game, but not interesting enough to deplete my savings: There are $$ grubbing games and then there are $$ GRUBBING games! No way to earn coins in the game (at least through level 100), must purchase to continue playing. Too many other similar match 3 games out there.
  20. [R61] Cookie Jam 1/5 · US Ads: Always an ad every time makes you not even want to play the game at all!
  21. [R40] Genies & Gems 1/5 · US Too many ads: This game used to be entertaining, but now it is full of ads you can’t even skip. It is very annoying waiting 30 seconds or more every time you need to do anything. Not fun anymore.
  22. [R39] Genies & Gems 3/5 · US Used to be one of my favorite games: Loved loved loved this game until 2 wks ago. Updated and game started freezing. Followed all suggestions plus reset, shut down, etc to no avail. Help folks can’t offer anything new to resolve the problem. Had same issue with another jam city game that updated at the same time. It resolved on its own. Not this one. So frustrating.
  23. [R58] Genies & Gems 2/5 · US Need different level strategy all the levels look the same: Create something other then those flowers you have to hit 99 to get to the gold… can we get some different looking levels it’s starting to get boring thinking I’m repeating the same level over and over.. All the levels look the same.. CHANGE THAT
  24. [R102] Cookie Jam 3/5 · US Lost its charm: I used to love this game but it's changed so much and lost its cute charm. The levels used to be so varied with cute things like gingerbread men etc. you built a dessert with your points each level, there was tons of creativity and variance. I'm 1000+ levels in and now it's the same over and over and over (popcorn, pretzels, waffles, donuts, repeat). The cute flare and creativity i

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