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

3 Dots vs Connect Balls

3 Dots 4.7★ · Free + IAP 55
Winner 3 Dots
Connect Balls 4.6★ · Free to download 45

Both 3 Dots and Connect Balls suffer from an overwhelming number of ads, making it difficult to recommend either wholeheartedly, but 3 Dots offers a slightly better ad experience and more consistent challenge.

Full reviews: 3 Dots · Connect Balls

Both 3 Dots and Connect Balls are free-to-play puzzle games centered around connecting dots or balls. While both are generally considered fun and relaxing, they are heavily criticized for an excessive number of long, interruptive, and sometimes unskippable ads, which significantly detracts from the user experience.

Head to head

Features & Gameplay edge: 3 DotsR1R11R29R36
3 Dots Users find 3 Dots to be a fun and engaging game that stimulates the brain and offers a good level of challenge R11R29R56. Some levels are described as 'super hard' R1, while others appreciate the varied difficulty . One user wished for fewer suggestions for moves R36.
Connect Balls Connect Balls is also described as fun, relaxing, and brain-stimulating . However, many users find the game too easy, especially in the early levels, and desire more challenging puzzles or levels with borders R67.
Ad Experience edge: 3 DotsR4R6R7R9
3 Dots 3 Dots is heavily criticized for an 'insane amount' of ads R6. Users report ads appearing after every game R9R19, after every two rounds , or even bursting in during gameplay R7R15R21. Many ads are described as long and unskippable R4R15. Some users deleted the app due to the ad frequency R4R21. The option to pay $6.99 to remove ads is mentioned, with some finding it too expensive R16R21. One user noted fewer ads compared to other similar games .
Connect Balls Connect Balls also receives overwhelming criticism for 'tons of ads' R64. Users report ads after almost every game or every level , with many being long, unskippable, and impossible to close, often requiring the app to be restarted R64R76. Some users paid $3.99 or $14.99 for no ads but still experienced them, leading to accusations of misleading charges R76R81.
Reliability & Bugs edge: 3 DotsR22R40R42R64
3 Dots Some users reported ads freezing and then replaying R22. One user experienced issues with not receiving rewards after watching ads, despite not minding the ads themselves R40R42.
Connect Balls A significant issue for Connect Balls is that ads are often unclosable, forcing users to exit and reopen the app to continue playing R64R76. Some users also reported paying for an ad-free experience but still receiving ads R81.
Price/Value edge: 3 DotsR16R21R76R81
3 Dots 3 Dots is free with in-app purchases. The option to remove ads costs $6.99, which some users consider too expensive R16R21.
Connect Balls Connect Balls is free to download but heavily monetized with ads. Users reported being charged $3.99 or $14.99 for an ad-free experience, only to find ads still present, leading to feelings of being deceived R76R81.
Pick 3 Dots if

You want a dot-connecting puzzle game that offers a consistent challenge and are willing to tolerate a high volume of ads, or pay $6.99 to remove them R1R11R16R21.

Pick Connect Balls if

You are looking for a very easy, relaxing puzzle game and are prepared for an extremely high volume of often unskippable ads, or if you are willing to risk paying for an ad-free experience that may not work R67R76.

Evidence note: Both apps have a high volume of negative reviews specifically about ads, which skews recent ratings. The lifetime ratings are similar, but recent sentiment is strongly against the ad monetization strategies of both games. The free-vs-paid asymmetry is evident, as both are free with IAPs to remove ads, and much of the negativity stems from the free-tier ad experience.

Frequently asked

How much do 3 Dots and Connect Balls cost to remove ads?
3 Dots offers an in-app purchase to stop ads for $6.99 R16R21. Connect Balls has options to remove ads for $3.99 or $14.99, but multiple users reported that ads still appeared even after paying R76R81.
Are the ads in 3 Dots and Connect Balls intrusive?
Yes, both games are heavily criticized for intrusive ads; in 3 Dots, ads often appear after every game or even in the middle of gameplay, are long, and sometimes unskippable R7R9R15R19. Connect Balls has an even worse ad experience, with ads frequently appearing after every level, being long, unskippable, and often unclosable, forcing users to restart the app R64R76.
Which game is more challenging, 3 Dots or Connect Balls?
3 Dots is generally described as offering a good level of challenge, with some levels being 'super hard' and requiring skill R1R11R56. Connect Balls, however, is frequently criticized for being too easy, especially in the initial levels, with users desiring more complex puzzles R67.

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] 3 Dots 1/5 · US Do not bother: Super hard levels take weeks to get past. No need for super hard levels. Do not waste your time.
  2. [R11] 3 Dots 5/5 · US Fun game: Just enough challenge and makes you use skill. Love it!
  3. [R29] 3 Dots 5/5 · US Stimulates the brain: Lots of fun for seniors. Helps keep your mind sharp!!!
  4. [R36] 3 Dots 3/5 · US I don’t want suggestions for my moves.: I wish it didn’t give suggestions. I want to figure it out on my own. Use my own mind, etc.
  5. [R4] 3 Dots 2/5 · US Too many: Too many ads in the MIDDLE of a game and no way too get out of the ad. Way too much wasted wait time. Thinking of deleting
  6. [R6] 3 Dots 3/5 · US Worth it?: Fun game but insane amount of ads super annoying.
  7. [R7] 3 Dots 2/5 · US Too many Ads: I like this game but putting an ad right in the middle of playing is such a turn off!
  8. [R9] 3 Dots 3/5 · US A lot of ads: Game itself is fun. I understand I haven’t paid to have no ads, but after every game, to me, is excessive.
  9. [R22] 3 Dots 1/5 · US Too many continuous adds. Too many ads freezing just to be replayed: Too many freezing ads
  10. [R40] 3 Dots 2/5 · US does not give proper rewards: if it says double the rewards and I push it to watch an advertisement that same advertisement will play three times and then I don’t even get double the rewards. I like the concert they keep trying, but I’m not getting away with it so therefore can only give me two stars.
  11. [R42] 3 Dots 3/5 · US Bugs: I like this game and I don’t even mind the ads but it limits the number I can watch. Trucking along and all of the sudden I don’t get anything for the ads I’ve watched. Frustrating.
  12. [R64] Connect Balls 1/5 · US All ads: Too many ads that are un-skipable. And ads that you can’t close. This game also tries to get you to download other apps constantly.
  13. [R16] 3 Dots 1/5 · US Free has non stop ads: Have to pay$6.99 to stop ridiculous amount of ads.
  14. [R21] 3 Dots 3/5 · US Too many ads: You can play a match & then have to watch an ad. An ad will break in while playing. Very annoying. And $6.99 for no ads…too much. I deleted the game.
  15. [R76] Connect Balls 1/5 · US Not free and TONS of ads and annoying offers: Was no disclaimer about charging $14.99 and then all the ads you can’t close and have to exit and reopen the app to continue playing. Pick a different app.
  16. [R81] Connect Balls 3/5 · US Charge for no ads misleading: I like playing this game. But when I selected the option to pay $3.99 for no ads option, ads are still popping up in my app which is annoying. So what was the $3.99 charge for? it’s deceiving.
  17. [R15] 3 Dots 3/5 · US Game interruptions: So many freaking ads!! And they just burst in during gameplay! And most do not have the option to X out of them or turn the volume off.
  18. [R19] 3 Dots 2/5 · US Too many ads: I like the game but there is an ad after every level. Super annoying.
  19. [R56] 3 Dots 5/5 · US Brain Fun!!!: This game is so different than most “Great for your Mind” games that are offered. It does test your mind while you are having fun. It is relaxing while also putting your mind in focus. A really great game, I truly recommend it just for FUN if nothing else.
  20. [R67] Connect Balls 1/5 · US Bruh: Too easy

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