Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Merge Gardens vs Gardenscapes

Merge Gardens 4.6★ · Free + IAP 60
Winner Gardenscapes
Gardenscapes 4.7★ · Free + IAP 75

Choose Gardenscapes for a more polished experience and larger player base.

Full reviews: Merge Gardens · Gardenscapes

Gardenscapes offers a more refined gameplay experience with a larger community and more frequent updates compared to Merge Gardens. While both games have their issues, Gardenscapes seems to provide a better balance of challenge and enjoyment for players.

Head to head

features edge: GardenscapesR6R67
Merge Gardens Merge Gardens has unique merging mechanics but suffers from frequent updates that frustrate players, such as the recent Apple Pencil issues R6.
Gardenscapes Gardenscapes includes mini-games and has a variety of tasks but has been criticized for its difficulty spikes and reliance on in-game purchases R67R72.
ease of use edge: GardenscapesR4R63
Merge Gardens Users report frustrations with Merge Gardens' frequent crashes and difficulty in progressing without spending money R4.
Gardenscapes Gardenscapes players mention challenging levels and a lack of resources, but overall find it easier to navigate and play R63R72.
reliability edge: GardenscapesR3R91
Merge Gardens Merge Gardens has faced numerous technical issues, including crashing and bugs that disrupt gameplay R3.
Gardenscapes Gardenscapes has its share of bugs but generally maintains a more stable experience according to user feedback R91R106.
price/value tieR4R72
Merge Gardens Merge Gardens is free but users feel pressured to spend money to progress, especially at higher levels R4.
Gardenscapes Gardenscapes is also free but has been criticized for its monetization tactics, making it hard to progress without spending R72.
support tieR55R106
Merge Gardens Merge Gardens users express dissatisfaction with the support and response to issues R55R106.
Gardenscapes Gardenscapes users have reported similar frustrations with support, especially regarding lost purchases R106.
Pick Merge Gardens if

you prefer unique merging mechanics and a more relaxed gameplay style.

Pick Gardenscapes if

you want a more polished experience with a larger community and frequent updates.

Evidence note: Both games have a mix of positive and negative reviews, but Gardenscapes generally has a larger player base and more consistent feedback about gameplay enjoyment.

Frequently asked

Is Merge Gardens free to play?
Yes, Merge Gardens is free to play with in-app purchases, but many users feel it becomes pay-to-win at higher levels R4.

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. [R6] Merge Gardens 3/5 · US Goodbye: This game use to be fun. It stopped being fun for me with the update this past April, when the free magnifying glass was replaced with a pay for use magnet. I along with others complained. I have waited to see if the magnifying glass would be returned and regrettably it has not. Such a shame. Deleting game.
  2. [R67] Gardenscapes 2/5 · US Used to be fun: This game was fun to start when you could take more than 5 steps for your 100 energy points. Every level for the last few days has been Hard or Super Hard. Makes it difficult to earn anything to help when you can’t make progress. FYI: the same goes for Homescapes.
  3. [R4] Merge Gardens 2/5 · US the more you play, the more it’s not free to play friendly: at later levels you need to open basket or hangers WHICH need gems to open OR you can pay gems to skip it… then other levels you need mystery eggs which (who would’ve guessed) needs gems… between using gems on levels and quest to level up, there’s just not enough as a free to play player to use without paying which is why the game require
  4. [R63] Gardenscapes 3/5 · US The game is fun but…: Level 25 is very hard to pass. Especially if you don’t have a lot of coins. I won’t spend money in games. It be nice if there was ads to watch when wanting to use a booster instead of just coins. If a person does not have enough coins then there stuck.
  5. [R3] Merge Gardens 3/5 · US Need update: Games suddenly not working, keep restarting
  6. [R91] Gardenscapes 2/5 · US Freezes way to much: After im doing a game it freezes or during the game then I have to go out of the game that’s js annoying is anyone else having this trouble?
  7. [R72] 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
  8. [R55] Merge Gardens 1/5 · US SCAM!!!: Don’t waste your money on this trash game! It makes it nearly impossible to advance without spending lots of money!!
  9. [R106] 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

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