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

Differences vs 5 Differences Online

Differences 4.6★ · Free + IAP 65
Winner Differences
5 Differences Online 4.7★ · Free + IAP · ⚠ stale 55

For a more traditional and challenging spot-the-difference experience, Differences is the better choice, despite its significant ad issues, while 5 Differences Online offers a competitive mode but suffers from frustrating mechanics and connectivity problems.

Full reviews: Differences · 5 Differences Online

Differences offers a challenging spot-the-difference game with varied puzzles, but users frequently complain about excessive ads and technical issues. 5 Differences Online provides a competitive online experience, but its one-life system, microscopic differences, and connectivity problems frustrate many players.

Head to head

Features and Gameplay edge: DifferencesR2R6R7R10
Differences Differences offers challenging puzzles and varied art styles, with some users enjoying the additional 'key' puzzles to unlock levels R2R14R20. However, many recent reviews express strong dislike for the mandatory 'art puzzles' or other mini-games required to earn keys, preferring to stick to the core spot-the-difference gameplay R10. Some users also report issues with images being too small, requiring zooming, or glitches where correct differences are not recognized R6R7.
5 Differences Online 5 Differences Online features a competitive online mode, which some users enjoy . However, many players are frustrated by the game's mechanics, such as a one-life system that forces coin spending to continue R63R64, extremely minute differences that are hard to find R64, and the game finding differences for them, which removes the challenge . Some users also complain about too much 'junk' or other activities between the actual difference-finding and a lack of new content after completing card collections .
Ads and Monetization tieR1R3R9R13
Differences Differences is heavily criticized for an overwhelming number of ads, with users reporting ads after almost every action, every round, or even constant loud banner ads R1R3R9R13. Some users find the ads so intrusive that they delete the app R9R13. One user noted that paying £15 to remove ads is too extreme R54.
5 Differences Online 5 Differences Online also has significant ad issues, with users complaining about too many ads, repetitive and long ads (up to 3 minutes), and ads appearing during gameplay or when choosing chests . However, at least one user praised the game for NOT being packed with ads, suggesting variability or recent changes . The game also uses a coin system, where losing a round requires paying coins to continue, which many find unfair and a way to force purchases R63R64R100.
Reliability and Performance tieR12R18R24R30
Differences Differences users report several technical issues, including the app draining battery and causing phones to overheat R18R24R50R55. Other problems include the game crashing , progress being lost after switching phones R12, and ads not closing . Some users also mention background noise from other games playing R30 and missing puzzle pieces .
5 Differences Online 5 Differences Online also faces significant reliability concerns. Users report the game freezing frequently , not loading past 70% R61, and displaying 'connection lost' errors even when internet is fine R66R114R117. There are also complaints about long wait times (11-15 minutes) after losing a game before being able to play again .
Content and Themes edge: DifferencesR4R14R20R29
Differences Differences offers a variety of challenging and entertaining puzzles with beautiful artwork R14R20. However, some users express discomfort with certain themes, describing them as 'witchcraft puzzles,' 'false deitys and demonic activity,' 'dark themes,' or depicting 'vulgarity and violence' R4R29.
5 Differences Online 5 Differences Online has a competitive aspect and card collections , though the lack of new collections after completion is a point of frustration. One user noted a new 'mirrored feature' that made the game difficult and annoying .
Pick Differences if

You prefer a traditional spot-the-difference game with challenging levels and varied art styles, and are willing to tolerate a high volume of ads or pay to remove them R2R14. You enjoy additional mini-games like 'art puzzles' to earn keys, or don't mind them R14.

Pick 5 Differences Online if

You are specifically looking for a competitive online spot-the-difference experience and enjoy playing against others . You don't mind a one-life system and are prepared for potentially long wait times or spending coins to continue playing R63R64.

Evidence note: Both apps are free with in-app purchases, and both receive a significant number of complaints regarding excessive ads. The negativity in reviews for both apps is heavily skewed by the free-tier experience, where ads and monetization mechanics are primary pain points.

Frequently asked

Do these games have too many ads?
Yes, both Differences and 5 Differences Online are heavily criticized for having too many ads, with users reporting ads after almost every action, between rounds, or as constant banners (R1, R3, R9, R13, , , , , for Differences; , , , , , for 5 Differences Online).
Can I play these games offline?
While not explicitly stated for offline play, 5 Differences Online users frequently report 'connection lost' errors and issues with loading, suggesting it heavily relies on an internet connection R61R66R114R117. Differences reviews do not mention connectivity issues as frequently, implying it might be more stable for solo play, but it does not confirm offline functionality.
Do these games drain battery or cause overheating?
Yes, users of Differences frequently report that the app drains battery quickly and causes their device to overheat, sometimes within minutes of playing R18R24R50R55.
Are there any costs associated with playing?
Both apps are free to download but include in-app purchases. Differences offers an option to remove ads for £15, which some users consider too expensive R54. 5 Differences Online uses a coin system where players must spend coins to continue playing after losing a round, which many users perceive as a forced payment or unfair monetization tactic R63R64R100.

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] Differences 4/5 · US Challenging: Harder than similar games I like that
  2. [R6] Differences 3/5 · US Eagle Eye: Love the games but 1/2 of the time I really have to zoom in to see the differences. Thanks again
  3. [R7] Differences 2/5 · US Fun game but a cheat: You will click on the image to where there is obviously a difference in pictures and it’ll tell you that you’re wrong using up all my lives
  4. [R10] Differences 2/5 · US Too many adds and awful puzzle game: Love the actual game but too many adds and the puzzle game for keys is awful. The puzzle pieces intentionally don’t match logically so you can watch a dozen adds for help. Awful!! I want to play find and spot the differences Not a puzzle game.
  5. [R1] Differences 1/5 · US Parthetic: I’m very disappointed because I love this game but like all the other games you get 30 seconds of putting and then a commercial and then 30 seconds of play and then another commercial commercial commercial commercial I think I watch more commercials than I actually play the game. I’m a senior and I play a lot of games online but now that they all cost so much friggin money. I feel like
  6. [R3] Differences 3/5 · US Ads: So…..many…..ads. Ads after almost everything you do. Game is fun, the nonstop ads are not.
  7. [R9] Differences 3/5 · US Ok: I liked playing but there are way way to many ads. Play a game watch an ad. Play a bonus round and you have to watch an ad to collect the bonus. Play for 30 seconds and watch an ad for 60 seconds before you can play another game. I’m deleting. Good luck to you. If you like ads, then this is for you.
  8. [R13] Differences 1/5 · US Too many ads avoid it !!: Avoid it!!!
  9. [R12] Differences 3/5 · US Progress lost: Love the game but after switching phones all my progress was lost. Would be nice if there was a way to save progress via a login of some sort. Not sure if I want to start all the way from the beginning again.
  10. [R18] Differences 3/5 · US Battery Drainer: I like the game. I prefer the special puzzles over the daily ones. The app drained my battery like crazy. I went from 100% to 60% playing for about a half hour!
  11. [R24] Differences 3/5 · US Heats up phone: Beware. When using the app, your device will get hot. I’ve reached out and they claim they’re working on it. It’s been a month.
  12. [R30] Differences 3/5 · US Background noise: The app is ok. It’s entertaining. But, the background noises of other games while I’m playing, it’s pretty annoying. Don’t do that. It’s not working. Not interested in downloading games I don’t want.
  13. [R4] Differences 1/5 · US Witchcraft puzzles.: Some of the puzzles that they make you do in order to unlock more keys are dealing with false deitys and demonic activity and i didn’t appreciate that. Jesus is Lord.
  14. [R14] Differences 5/5 · US Truly amazing in every way!! 👍🏻💯: I seriously cannot say anything negative about this app. All of the puzzles are both challenging and entertaining, and I absolutely LOVE how you earn keys by playing other puzzles rather than having to pay for them, not to mention how BEAUTIFUL the artworks are!! 😍💯👏🏻 And, the amount of ads you get really isn’t bad at all, especially compared to most other free ap
  15. [R20] Differences 5/5 · US Intriguingly Complicatedly Fun: I am Enjoying this game because it is Purplexualy Fun and Excitingly Fascinating
  16. [R29] Differences 4/5 · US Dark Themes: Earning keys to solve picture puzzles that’s great, however, the theme of the picture seem to be dark, witchy, crafty. Would like to see more positive themes
  17. [R61] 5 Differences Online 1/5 · US Won't load: I used to love this game. I remembered it recently, decided to download it, but it won't load at all. The loading stops at 70% and that's it. It's a real shame. · translated
  18. [R66] 5 Differences Online 3/5 · US Game: I like playing this game. I’m not sure what is going on with the app. It shut down on me in the middle of playing and will not connect again.
  19. [R114] 5 Differences Online 3/5 · GB Great but.....: I have been loving playing this game until today, it keeps coming up connection error update the app to continue playing the game but there is no update available 😕
  20. [R117] 5 Differences Online 3/5 · GB Can’t get in the game: Keeps saying connection lost update game !! Can’t see any updates !!!
  21. [R50] Differences 5/5 · US Overheating from recent update.: My wife and I have iPhone 13 reg and 13 mini. Since the update 1 week ago, we notice especially on her mini that the screen gets hot to the touch within the first minute of play. This only happens when playing Differences and only since the June 2025 update. Any ideas? Thank you…
  22. [R55] Differences 1/5 · US Ads Galore: So many ads. Also drained your battery quite a bit.
  23. [R54] Differences 3/5 · GB I like the game: But £15 to remove ads is extreme. I usually purchase this for enjoyment purposes but not at that price.
  24. [R63] 5 Differences Online 3/5 · US 1 life: The one-life system makes me want to stop playing. If I’m forced to spend 25, 30 coins just to try again, I’d rather close the app and play something else. Wouldn’t you want players to stay engaged longer? If we can keep playing, we’re more likely to spend coins on hints, or other features that enhance the experience. As it stands, the restart cost feels like a penalty, not an incentive. Re
  25. [R64] 5 Differences Online 1/5 · US Unfair: Its very unfair that if you loose you have to pay coins to continue playing, and there are just tiny mistakes in most photos that tou have to guess to find. 0 Stars if i could.
  26. [R100] 5 Differences Online 2/5 · US Save your money: This is a money making game. It would be a good game if you didn’t have to buy coins to play and win a game.

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