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

Idle Digging vs Merge and Dig

Idle Digging 4.6★ · Free + IAP · ⚠ stale 55
Winner Tie
Merge and Dig 4.7★ · Free + IAP 58

Both Idle Digging and Merge and Dig suffer from an overwhelming number of ads and issues with their 'no ads' purchases, making neither a clear winner, but Merge and Dig has slightly more positive feedback on core gameplay when ads are set aside.

Full reviews: Idle Digging · Merge and Dig

Idle Digging and Merge and Dig are both free-to-play idle digging games plagued by excessive ads, with many users reporting that purchasing ad-free options does not fully remove ads. While both offer simple, relaxing gameplay, the ad experience significantly detracts from user satisfaction.

Head to head

Features and Gameplay edge: Merge and DigR5R8R9R14
Idle Digging Users find Idle Digging to be simple, relaxing, and addictive, providing a good way to pass time R8R9R14. However, some find progression slows down as items become too expensive R5, and others note that it's not truly an idle game as it requires the app to be open for significant progress R37. There are also complaints about miners being slow and a lack of productive uses for in-game diamonds R24.
Merge and Dig Merge and Dig is described as fun, satisfying, and good for stress relief or passing time . Some users enjoy the early game but find it becomes repetitive or too easy later on, with a need for more levels, shovels, and things to build . A few users report the game not loading or crashing R61R64R67.
Ads and Monetization tieR1R2R3R4
Idle Digging Idle Digging is heavily criticized for an overwhelming number of forced ads, often appearing every 30 seconds to a minute R1R2R4R7. Many users report that purchasing the 'no ads' option (priced around $1.99-$2.99) does not eliminate all ads, particularly those for boosts or rewards, and sometimes even forced ads persist R3R6R10R15.
Merge and Dig Merge and Dig also faces severe criticism for excessive ads, with reports of ads appearing after every round or every 15-30 seconds, making the game unplayable for some . Similar to Idle Digging, users who purchase the 'no ads' option (around $3) still encounter ads, especially for bonus levels or rewards, leading to feelings of being scammed .
Reliability and Performance edge: Idle DiggingR22R24R61R64
Idle Digging One user reported the game wouldn't let them play upon downloading R22. Another mentioned issues with ad rewards not lasting or activating as expected, and a bug where a visited location disappeared R24.
Merge and Dig Multiple users experienced issues with Merge and Dig not loading, getting stuck on a black screen or loading screen R61R64R67. Some reported the game crashing constantly and deleting progress .
Pick Idle Digging if

you prefer a more traditional idle digging experience with charming animations and average progression, and are willing to tolerate frequent ads, or hope to get lucky with the 'no ads' purchase .

Pick Merge and Dig if

you enjoy merge mechanics combined with digging, find ASMR-like qualities appealing, and are looking for a game to pass time, provided you can overlook the significant ad issues or hope for a fix .

Evidence note: The evidence for both apps is heavily skewed towards negative feedback regarding ads and the ineffectiveness of 'no ads' purchases. Positive reviews often focus on the core gameplay being fun or relaxing, but rarely address the ad situation directly, or mention it as a minor annoyance. The free-vs-paid asymmetry is very apparent, as the primary complaint across both free apps is the ad experience, even for paying users.

Frequently asked

Do 'no ads' purchases actually work in these games?
No, many users for both Idle Digging and Merge and Dig report that purchasing the 'no ads' option, typically priced around $1.99-$3, does not fully remove ads, with forced ads or ads for in-game boosts still appearing R3R6R10R15.
How often do ads appear in these games?
Ads appear very frequently in both games, with users reporting them as often as every 15-30 seconds, after every level, or after nearly every action or upgrade R4R7R34R37.
Are there any performance issues with these games?
Idle Digging has minor reports of ad rewards not working correctly and a disappearing game location R24, while Merge and Dig has more frequent complaints about the game not loading, getting stuck on a black screen, or crashing constantly R61R64R67.

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. [R5] Idle Digging 4/5 · US A pretty good deal: This game is fun until things get too expensive and it takes longer to buy things but overall it’s a pretty damn good game
  2. [R8] Idle Digging 5/5 · US Relaxing: It’s cool, I’m kinda addicted. Not much to it, it’s simple and good to setting down and play.
  3. [R9] Idle Digging 3/5 · US Kinda fun: A waste of time but pretty fun
  4. [R14] Idle Digging 5/5 · US This game is amazing!!!!: A little while ago I was looking for an actual good game to play and all I found was trash games!I thought it was hopeless but then I found this game!It’s so fun when you’re like me and have nothing to do on your phone or you just want new games.It 100% deserves what I rated it
  5. [R1] Idle Digging 1/5 · US Ads: I do not mind watching ads to earn benefits. However don’t start ads without me choosing to do so. Nothing annoys me more. I have deleted the game.
  6. [R2] Idle Digging 4/5 · US Another ad pay game: Get the option to watch an ad for an in game benefit. I say no. Still get an ad that does not give any in game benefits. This isn’t an accident, this is deliberate. Just another developer who hopes you’ll pay them money to get ride of ads instead of balancing ads vs. Game play.
  7. [R3] Idle Digging 3/5 · US Paid for no ads - still getting ads: Paid for no ads in 2 different ways and still getting ads. Annoying. Game is fun otherwise.
  8. [R4] Idle Digging 1/5 · US Forced ads: Forced ads after 3 minutes of playing
  9. [R22] Idle Digging 2/5 · US I mean: This game looks fun in all but when I downloaded it. It wouldn’t let me play like what?
  10. [R24] Idle Digging 3/5 · US Kind of messed up: The ads rewards don’t always last as long as they’re supposed to or activate. There’s lots of forced ads even when pressing the x. After beating the mars and earth locations it sent me to this janky halloween place that after I visited earth disappeared with no option to return. 🤷🏻‍♂️idk. The diamonds existing would be more productive if they could purchase variations of charact
  11. [R61] Merge and Dig 1/5 · US It won’t start: It won’t let me play it
  12. [R64] Merge and Dig 1/5 · US Broken: Try to start the game and it just sits there on a black screen just saying loading, game will not load up :/
  13. [R6] Idle Digging 3/5 · US No Ads isn’t no ads: Don’t pay for no ads. You’ll still have to watch ads for the boosts. Games okay but no ads and still making you watch ads is too scammy
  14. [R10] Idle Digging 1/5 · US Broken Ad Purchase: Purchasing Ad-free doesn’t work so you are still forced to watch the ads.
  15. [R15] Idle Digging 3/5 · US Passes the time: It’s cute and simple, but after some time its ads for every little powerup, and it’s not one it’s two ads, the first one plays and then have to wait another five or 10 seconds before you can exit to get the reward. I even bought the 2.99 ad removal and I still get every add when I accidentally clicked on watch video when tapping the screen.
  16. [R7] Idle Digging 2/5 · US Ad-watching simulator: It’s basically an ad-watching simulator. Every time you want to do anything other than clicking it forces you to watch an ad. Even if you want to level up it says do you want to watch an ad to get 2x? You say no and it still gives an ad. This is every 30s of clicking. I also have no idea what the clicking even does because they seem to love at the same pace without clicking.
  17. [R34] Idle Digging 1/5 · US Ads: Ads pop up almost every minute, and after upgrading/leveling up
  18. [R37] Idle Digging 1/5 · US Ads everywhere: The abuse of ads in this game is insane. They show ads even when you tap options that shouldn’t. Also, this is not an idle game. You have to have the game open in order to progress. Otherwise your diggers will work for a small amount of time (based on stamina), won’t make any progress in the dig site, and it won’t count to your level increase.
  19. [R67] Merge and Dig 2/5 · US It’s broken: Please fix your game. It will not load.

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