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

Gardenscapes vs Homescapes

Gardenscapes 4.7★ · Free + IAP 65
Winner Homescapes
Homescapes 4.6★ · Free + IAP 70

Homescapes has a slight edge over Gardenscapes due to fewer complaints about recent updates negatively impacting gameplay and a slightly more stable user experience, despite both apps sharing similar core issues.

Full reviews: Gardenscapes · Homescapes

Both Gardenscapes and Homescapes are popular free-to-play match-3 puzzle games with decorating elements, but recent updates have led to user frustration regarding increased difficulty, reduced rewards, and technical issues. Homescapes appears to have a slightly more stable experience, though both are criticized for misleading ads and a 'pay-to-play' feel at higher levels.

Head to head

Gameplay and Difficulty tieR2R4R5R9
Gardenscapes Many Gardenscapes players report that recent updates have made levels significantly harder, feeling designed to force players to use power-ups or make in-app purchases R9R17R22R43. Users also express dissatisfaction with changes to boosters, finding new ones less helpful and wishing for the return of older combinations R2R4R5. Some feel the game has become a 'money grab' R9R43.
Homescapes Homescapes players also note a significant increase in difficulty, especially at higher levels, making it feel like a 'pay-to-play' game R91R102. Recent updates have made winning levels much harder, leading to frustration and some long-time players considering quitting R102. Changes to boosters and the inability to restart levels without using a life are also points of contention .
Technical Stability and Performance tieR1R20R23R37
Gardenscapes Gardenscapes users frequently report issues with the app not opening, getting stuck on a white 'Playrix' screen, or crashing R1R20R23. Some also mention significant battery drain and overheating issues on their devices while playing R37.
Homescapes Homescapes players also experience significant technical problems, including the game not loading, crashing on startup, or getting stuck on the 'Playrix' screen . Some report glitches within mini-games or visual bugs after updates .
Ads and Misleading Marketing tieR3R7R11R12
Gardenscapes A major point of frustration for Gardenscapes users is the discrepancy between the game's advertisements and actual gameplay R3R7R11R12. Many downloaded the game expecting pin-pulling puzzles or extensive customization, only to find a match-3 game with limited decorating options.
Homescapes Homescapes also faces strong criticism for misleading ads that depict gameplay entirely different from the actual match-3 puzzle and decorating experience . Some ads are described as 'horrible' and 'disgusting' for their content .
Rewards and In-App Purchases tieR6R18R22R43
Gardenscapes Gardenscapes players complain about reduced coin rewards (from 50 to 10 per win) and decreased power-up availability R6. Some users feel that in-app purchases are necessary to progress and that the game manipulates gameplay to encourage spending R18R22R43.
Homescapes Homescapes users also report feeling pressured to spend money due to the high difficulty of levels and insufficient rewards R91R102. There are complaints about not receiving full credit for purchased items or losing power-ups due to game issues .
User Experience and Support tieR10R42R54R79
Gardenscapes Gardenscapes users report poor or non-existent customer support, with issues like un-delivered purchases going unaddressed for days R10. Some find the character Austin 'creepy' or annoying due to his reactions during gameplay R42R54.
Homescapes Homescapes users also report issues with customer service, with one player stating their concerns about event access were ignored R106. The game's frequent prompts for notifications and forced tutorials are seen as intrusive R79. Some find Austin's presence and dialogue creepy or annoying .
Pick Gardenscapes if

Pick Gardenscapes if you prefer a garden renovation theme and are prepared for potentially challenging levels that may require persistence or in-app purchases .

Pick Homescapes if

Pick Homescapes if you prefer a house renovation theme and are looking for a relaxing game, but be aware that higher levels can become very difficult and may feel like 'pay-to-play' R91.

Evidence note: Both apps are developed by Playrix and share many common complaints, especially regarding misleading advertisements, increased difficulty, and technical issues. The evidence for each dimension is well-represented across both apps, indicating very similar user experiences.

Frequently asked

Are Gardenscapes and Homescapes free to play?
Yes, both Gardenscapes and Homescapes are free to download and play, but they include in-app purchases (IAP) for boosters, extra moves, and other advantages, which many users feel become necessary to progress at higher levels R22R43R91R102.
Do Gardenscapes and Homescapes have misleading ads?
Yes, both Gardenscapes and Homescapes are widely criticized by users for having misleading advertisements that show gameplay entirely different from the actual match-3 puzzle and decorating experience R3R13R34R39.
Why are Gardenscapes and Homescapes levels so hard?
Many users report that levels in both Gardenscapes and Homescapes become increasingly difficult, especially at higher stages, leading to frustration and a feeling that the games are designed to push players towards spending money on in-app purchases for boosters and extra moves R9R17R22R46.
Do Gardenscapes and Homescapes have good customer support?
Based on user reviews, both Gardenscapes and Homescapes appear to have poor customer support, with players reporting unaddressed issues, un-delivered purchases, and a lack of response to complaints R10R106.

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. [R2] Gardenscapes 4/5 · US Bring back the old boosters: I’ve been playing this game since Covid and play several times throughout the day. There are mini games you can play, like Fancy Feathers, and you can collect cards to get boosters, but you have no control over when or what cards you collect. Recently, the boosters have changed, though still similar. I wish they would bring back the combined dynamite and rainbow blast.
  2. [R4] Gardenscapes 1/5 · US Sh*t: Give me back the normal boosters. · translated
  3. [R5] Gardenscapes 4/5 · US Boosters: The new boosters are not as helpful as the previous ones. I’m disappointed I can’t switch pieces. Also it is almost impossible to get to the end of the side games, takes too many lightening bolts for each item. Unlike previously I was able to get to the end with a day or two left over for extra play.
  4. [R9] Gardenscapes 3/5 · US Was great. Now money grab: I have been playing this game for years. Current level is 19,977. I he’s enjoyed every aspect of the game until recently. The “one shot” level are there just to make you use your power ups and lose your bonuses. Even the Super Hard levels cannot be beat without additional power ups. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the challenge, but to be stuck on a normal level for 2 days w
  5. [R1] Gardenscapes 1/5 · US Fun when it works: I really like this game, but it hasn’t worked for me in at least a week. Every so often, it just refused to open, but now it just gives me a white screen that says “playrix” Edited 7/10 After having to uninstall and reinstall this app, I am no longer eligible to get dragon gems on Merge Dragons, which is why I installed this app to begin with. I have uninstalled it again, as I h
  6. [R20] Gardenscapes 5/5 · US Glitch: The game hasn't been working for me for two days. I deleted and reinstalled it, and the same error persists. Is there a solution? · translated
  7. [R23] Gardenscapes 5/5 · US Something is wrong: My game won’t load
  8. [R37] Gardenscapes 1/5 · US Battery issues: I really enjoy this game, it’s fun but my issue is that it absolutely cooks my phone whenever I try to play. I have an iPhone 16 pro, 91% battery health, 480 something cycles so not new but still not a completely worn out battery. When I play this game my phone gets ridiculously hot, I’ve tried playing with no other apps open nothing working in the background and my phone still ins
  9. [R3] Gardenscapes 3/5 · US Clickbate: This game is nice, but its somewhat frustrating how the ads show other games such as pin pulling but when you download the game its just about rebuilding an abondoned mansion. Please add these games that are in your ads!!
  10. [R7] Gardenscapes 1/5 · US Fake ads: Please fix
  11. [R11] Gardenscapes 5/5 · US Not the same as the commercial: Why dies t this game play as the commercial shows? Very deceiving! I have had this game for years but doesn’t allow me to make and sell things.
  12. [R12] Gardenscapes 3/5 · US No mini games: Hardly any mini games like advertised. Mostly all really difficult puzzles. And you do not get to customize and work on the house as much, it is a lot more task and things for the story line.
  13. [R6] Gardenscapes 3/5 · US New update sucks: Bring back the extra power ups when you get the garden pass instead of more coins. At least rotate between the two.
  14. [R18] Gardenscapes 3/5 · US Upset: I have played this game for a minute. I continue to spend money and get nothing in return for the inside games. I have been winning events and gaining reward and for 10 days I have been waiting on 4 cards. It’s like gambling in the worst way…it’s literally like a casino game and not winning. I’m over this. Very disappointing
  15. [R22] Gardenscapes 1/5 · US Pay to play game: This game is advertised as free-to-play, but in reality it has become pay-to-play. The gameplay feels heavily manipulated by an algorithm designed to push players into spending money. Boosters often make little difference when trying to pass difficult levels. What is even more frustrating is that whenever you’re close to reaching a milestone in a competition or event, even easy
  16. [R43] Gardenscapes 2/5 · US Cash grab: This game used to be relaxing, but now the levels feel designed just to make you lose your power‑ups. I’ve made several purchases and it still isn’t enough you end up one block away from winning and lose everything. It’s gone from a fun, casual game to something frustrating. Do better.
  17. [R10] Gardenscapes 1/5 · US Zero support: I bought boosters and upgrades 4 days ago which were not delivered as there were bugs in the game that deleted them immediately. I have been trying for the last 4 days to contact support via email, in app support and even Twitter (X) but despite a 48 hour response commitment they just refuse to respond. I’ve been playing for 10 years now and maybe it’s time to call it quits. Unfortun
  18. [R42] Gardenscapes 3/5 · US Creepy Austin: I dislike the new update that has Austin watch you as you play. It's super creepy the faces he makes and annoying as well. Love that the game has no ads, but when are you going to stop advertising that this a puzzle game? I haven't seen a quarter baked, not even half baked, "puzzle" in years
  19. [R54] Gardenscapes 3/5 · US Great game but recent updates Not Great: I have enjoyed this game for years. I have started Not enjoying this game after the recent update. I can deal with reduced boosters and cartoony graphics. However I absolutely *abhor* the addition of the judgmental Austin in the left top corner, reacting to my every move and looking like his puppy died when I have three moves left. It causes me anxiety and
  20. [R79] Homescapes 1/5 · US No I don’t want to be notified: Asking me if I want to be notified after every challenge is irritating. NO I DO NOT, WHY KEEP ASKING? I’m done with this game.
  21. [R91] Homescapes 1/5 · US Upper levels impossible to solve without $$$$: Fun until upper levels which will trap you for DAYS unless you spend money to get extra moves to solve.
  22. [R102] Homescapes 3/5 · US Fun game: The game is fun and addicting! But recently with all the new updates it feels like they made it way too hard to even beat certain levels. And when you have beaten all the levels you’re forced to play in this tournament with other players with even MORE harder levels and it takes days for you to even beat certain levels. I get that they want to make a profit but why does it seem like I ha
  23. [R13] Gardenscapes 1/5 · US False advertisement: This game is not what it appears to be false advertisement
  24. [R34] Gardenscapes 1/5 · US This is a fake.: Download this game because I saw an ad about it on my phone. I played the ad, and I was like “omg this is so much fun” so I downloaded it, only to realize that the actual game was COMPLETELY different from the ad. I immediately deleted it. I do not appreciate fake advertisement.
  25. [R39] Gardenscapes 3/5 · US Fake Ads: The ad said that this game like pull the pin to help a homeless woman and her daughter and some ads were saying doesn’t it drive mad when you download a game it’s totally different game than it’s shown. Well they’re literally just doing that and they’re saying that they found a game that is not like that and they’re just lying to your face!
  26. [R17] Gardenscapes 5/5 · US Unplayable after certain levels: I played the game for a few years but recently I haven’t. Once you get so high in levels it becomes nearly impossible to beat. You’ll lose your power ups and after that it takes retrying the levels over and over again until you get sick of them. It’s like they want you to buy coins to pay for you to pass rounds. I’m on level 1692 and for the past two weeks I spend
  27. [R46] Gardenscapes 1/5 · US Terrible: They purposefully make the levels impossible so you have to spend money in game. Tons of better games out there.
  28. [R106] Homescapes 1/5 · US Terrible customer service.: I had contacted them regarding issues I’ve been experiencing on the app due to not being able to do/join events my teammates have been doing, they didn’t seem to care what my issue was and I’ve had this game for over 5 years now. I’m considering deleting my account and using other apps that give everyone the same access/experience was everyone using the app unlike this

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