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

Merge Studio vs Doll Designer

Merge Studio 4.7★ · Free + IAP 60
Winner Tie
Doll Designer 4.6★ · Free + IAP · ⚠ stale 55

Merge Studio offers a more engaging core gameplay experience, but both apps suffer from excessive ads and a lack of new content, making neither a clear winner.

Full reviews: Merge Studio · Doll Designer

Both Merge Studio and Doll Designer are free-to-play merge/design games with in-app purchases, but both are heavily criticized for an overwhelming number of ads and a lack of new content after players complete the existing levels. Merge Studio has a slight edge in gameplay depth, while Doll Designer faces criticism for its limited character diversity and occasional inappropriate ads.

Head to head

Features and Content edge: Merge StudioR1R2R5R8
Merge Studio Merge Studio users enjoy the core merge gameplay and fashion makeovers, finding it fun and relaxing R8. However, a major complaint is the lack of new characters and levels, with many users reporting they have 'beaten the game' and have nowhere to use their accumulated coins, despite promises of updates R1R2R20R22. Some also desire more variety in mini-games R5 and better ways to manage collected cards .
Doll Designer Doll Designer players find the doll design and dressing aspects fun . Similar to Merge Studio, a significant issue is the repetitive nature of levels after completing the game, with users wanting more new levels and clothes . A notable criticism is the lack of diversity in doll appearance, with users pointing out only pale skin and blonde hair, and no body diversity . One review also mentioned an inappropriate ad shown within the app .
Ease of Use and Performance tieR12R16R18R21
Merge Studio Merge Studio users frequently report issues with the app crashing R12R21R26 and being glitchy . Some experience poor response times within the app, affecting gameplay R16. There are also complaints about running out of energy and ads not working to provide more R18. Recent updates have been criticized for changing the UI layout .
Doll Designer Doll Designer also suffers from significant performance issues, with many users reporting the app glitches frequently and crashes upon opening or kicks them out . Some users report the app won't even download . There are also complaints about lag .
Price/Value (Free vs. Paid) tieR3R4R6R7
Merge Studio Merge Studio is free with in-app purchases, but users overwhelmingly complain about the excessive number of ads, which pop up frequently and disrupt gameplay R3R4R6R7. Many feel the ads are so intrusive that they make the game unplayable and do not incentivize purchasing the ad-free option R7.
Doll Designer Doll Designer is also free with in-app purchases, and like Merge Studio, it receives widespread criticism for an overwhelming number of ads . Some users who paid to remove ads reported that the ads were still present, leading to feelings of being scammed and requests for refunds R67R109. A common workaround mentioned is turning off Wi-Fi to avoid ads, though this limits access to VIP levels .
Support tieR46R67R109
Merge Studio One Merge Studio user reported that customer support does not respond to messages R46.
Doll Designer There are no specific reviews mentioning support for Doll Designer, though users who paid for ad removal and still saw ads expressed a desire for refunds R67R109.
Pick Merge Studio if

You prefer a merge-style puzzle game with fashion makeover elements and are willing to tolerate frequent ads or pay to remove them R8.

Pick Doll Designer if

You enjoy doll design and dress-up games and are aware of the potential for repetitive levels and a lack of character diversity .

Evidence note: Both apps have a high volume of negative reviews related to ads and lack of new content, which significantly impacts their perceived value despite generally positive lifetime ratings. The free-to-play model with heavy ad monetization is a major source of user frustration for both.

Frequently asked

Do Merge Studio and Doll Designer have a lot of ads?
Yes, both Merge Studio and Doll Designer are heavily criticized for having an excessive number of ads that frequently interrupt gameplay, making the experience frustrating for many users R3R4R6R7.
Are there new levels or characters in Merge Studio and Doll Designer?
Users of both Merge Studio and Doll Designer frequently complain about a lack of new content, with many reporting they have completed all available levels and characters and are left with repetitive gameplay or nowhere to use in-game currency R1R2R20R22.
Do these apps have performance issues?
Yes, both Merge Studio and Doll Designer users report frequent performance issues, including app crashes, glitches, and lag, which can disrupt gameplay and make the apps difficult to use R12R16R21R26.

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] Merge Studio 2/5 · US Beat the Game: I loved this game, so I wish I could give it more stars. But, I have beaten the game!! There are no longer any characters to makeover, and it has been this way for a few months. I now have 300,000+ coins with nowhere to use them, because I have been hoping for more characters so I have kept playing. Please update this and add characters ASAP!!!!
  2. [R2] Merge Studio 5/5 · US New clients: Waiting on new clients? It’s been saying update coming soon for several months now
  3. [R5] Merge Studio 4/5 · US Needs better mini games: Needs better mini games. I’m tired of the magic hat/rabbit, the piñata, and the crafting. I love the mini match game - give us more of those
  4. [R8] Merge Studio 5/5 · US Fashion makeover: Very fun and relaxing game to play..
  5. [R12] Merge Studio 3/5 · US Crashing: I have been playing this game for months but the last 2 weeks it has crashed soon after I open it. What the heck?
  6. [R16] Merge Studio 1/5 · US ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE.: I NEVER rate apps but this one is necessary. This app has absolutely horrible response time when trying to move items together. Actually the entire app is like that. The app messed up the response time on my entire phone and as soon as I uninstalled it my phone was back to normal.
  7. [R18] Merge Studio 3/5 · US Ok but a few touches needed: This game is a lot of fun but I am always running out of energy and I try to watch the adds and it dose not work it always says not ready and it takes forever to recharge your energy
  8. [R21] Merge Studio 3/5 · US Crashes a lot: I love the game but it crashes a lot or constantly glitches… everyday I open the app it closes at least 5 times before I can actually play
  9. [R3] Merge Studio 3/5 · US Ads: Hate the ads
  10. [R4] Merge Studio 2/5 · US Too many ads: You barely play the game when as ad pops up. Very annoying!!!!
  11. [R6] Merge Studio 3/5 · US Too many ads: The game itself us fun, but every 2 mins there is an ad , takes away the fun
  12. [R7] Merge Studio 2/5 · US Could be good: The amount of ads is infuriating I would play more but I can’t stand it. I know I could pay to remove but that’s ridiculous too
  13. [R46] Merge Studio 1/5 · US No support: Don’t bother messaging customer support, they will never answer you
  14. [R67] Doll Designer 1/5 · US What a rip off!: Paid to remove ads, ads still there. I want a refund or ALL and I mean ALL ads removed.
  15. [R109] Doll Designer 1/5 · US This game is a scam don’t install it: This game is a scam don’t install it they make you pay $ dollars for no ads upgrade and every second is a new ads. I tried to restored it nothing change, I need a refund I’m so piss you guys do that.
  16. [R20] Merge Studio 4/5 · US New characters?: Love the game and the updates that make it easier to get more energy. But where are the new characters? Been waiting for a new one for months. It just keeps saying “coming soon” otherwise I have no complaints!
  17. [R22] Merge Studio 2/5 · US No more updates: There’s no more updates and no new levels. You can keep playing and collect coins but you can’t use the coins for anything. Just a droll merge game now
  18. [R26] Merge Studio 4/5 · US crash: fun game but the app is constantly crashing

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