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

3 Dots vs Flow Free

3 Dots 4.7★ · Free + IAP 60
Winner Flow Free
Flow Free 4.8★ · Free + IAP 75

Flow Free is the better choice for a classic connect-the-dots puzzle game, offering a more polished experience despite similar ad complaints.

Full reviews: 3 Dots · Flow Free

Both 3 Dots and Flow Free are free-to-play connect-the-dots puzzle games that suffer from frequent and intrusive ads in their free versions. Flow Free has a significantly larger user base and a longer history, with many users enjoying its relaxing yet challenging gameplay, while 3 Dots struggles with ads interrupting gameplay and some users finding levels too hard.

Head to head

Gameplay & Challenge edge: Flow FreeR1R11R29R36
3 Dots Users find 3 Dots to be fun and stimulating for the brain, with some enjoying the challenge R11R29. However, a significant number of players complain about levels becoming 'super hard' and taking weeks to complete, leading to frustration R1R50. Some also dislike the game giving suggestions for moves R36.
Flow Free Flow Free is widely praised for being relaxing, fun, and good for the brain . Users appreciate the gradual increase in difficulty and the vast number of levels . While some find it too easy or boring , others enjoy the grind and achievement of completing boards .
Ad Experience tieR2R3R4R5
3 Dots The most prevalent complaint for 3 Dots is the overwhelming number and intrusiveness of ads R2R3R4R5. Users report ads appearing after every game, every two rounds, or even interrupting gameplay R4R7R15. Many find them long, unskippable, or freezing R4R15R22. The $6.99 price to remove ads is also considered too high by some R16R21.
Flow Free Flow Free also receives extensive criticism for its excessive and long ads . Ads appear after every level or every two levels, often lasting a minute . A significant issue is that even after purchasing the 'no-ads' version, users still encounter ads, particularly for hints R67R73R110. Some ads are reported to open inappropriate pages or freeze .
Reliability & Bugs edge: 3 DotsR22R40R42R79
3 Dots Some users report bugs where watching ads for rewards doesn't grant the rewards, or that the game limits the number of ads they can watch for benefits R40R42. There are also complaints about freezing ads R22.
Flow Free Flow Free users report significant issues with the app stopping working, preventing them from playing daily and weekly games or losing daily streaks R79R82R88R103. Several users also experienced losing all their game progress and hints after re-downloading or due to the app stopping R103. A critical bug mentioned is that the game stops working on newer iPhone models .
Price & Value (IAP) edge: 3 DotsR16R21R67R69
3 Dots 3 Dots offers an ad-free experience for $6.99, which some users consider too expensive R16R21.
Flow Free Flow Free's microtransactions for hints are considered expensive by some R69. Crucially, users who paid for the 'no-ads' version still encounter ads for hints or other game elements, leading to disappointment and feeling scammed R67R73R110.
Pick 3 Dots if

Pick 3 Dots if you prefer a game that might offer a slightly less buggy experience, though be prepared for frequent ads in the free version R22R40R42.

Pick Flow Free if

Pick Flow Free if you value a game with a large number of levels and a long history of user satisfaction, and are willing to pay for the ad-free version (despite some reports of ads still appearing for hints), or if you don't mind frequent ads in the free version .

Evidence note: Both apps suffer from significant ad complaints, making it difficult to distinguish them on this dimension. Flow Free's larger user base and higher lifetime rating suggest a more enduring appeal, but recent reviews highlight critical bugs and issues with paid ad removal.

Frequently asked

Do 3 Dots and Flow Free have a lot of ads?
Yes, both 3 Dots and Flow Free are heavily criticized for having a large number of intrusive ads in their free versions, with ads often appearing after every level or even interrupting gameplay R4R7R15R19.
Is it worth paying to remove ads in Flow Free?
Paying to remove ads in Flow Free may not entirely eliminate them, as some users report still encountering ads for hints even after purchasing the ad-free version R67R73R110.
Are the levels in 3 Dots too hard?
Some users find the levels in 3 Dots to be 'super hard' and time-consuming, leading to frustration and even deleting the game R1R50.
Does Flow Free have technical issues?
Yes, Flow Free has recent reports of technical issues, including the app stopping working, leading to loss of daily streaks and game progress, and not functioning on newer iPhone models R79R82R88R103.

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. [R2] 3 Dots 5/5 · US 3 Dots: Way too many long ads
  6. [R3] 3 Dots 3/5 · US Like the game. Way, to many ads!: Way to many!
  7. [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
  8. [R5] 3 Dots 5/5 · US Ads: To many ads just to get the next game
  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. [R79] Flow Free 1/5 · US Tons of ads & stop working: I used to love this game. Even my 11 and 12 year old loves to play it. But there’s so much ads. What’s even worse is that the game stopped working, yesterday. I no longer can get and play any of the daily and weekly games. I was thinking about purchasing the other games that they have. But when I click on purchase, there’s no price tag to inform you how much you will
  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. [R67] Flow Free 1/5 · US Scam: Game is fun but also a scam. After I bought the no-ads version I still have to watch stupid ads to get a hint. This is really annoying and disappointing!
  16. [R69] Flow Free 3/5 · US Expensive and a little confusing: It’s a really good game but the settings should show what turning on and off does to it. Also the micro transactions should be cheaper so they get more sales and the other person thinks it’s a good deal and it’s a win win for everyone
  17. [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!
  18. [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.
  19. [R19] 3 Dots 2/5 · US Too many ads: I like the game but there is an ad after every level. Super annoying.
  20. [R73] Flow Free 1/5 · US So far, very unhappy: I bought the Ad free version, yet the Ads keep popping up. I HATE THAT!!! Can you please get rid of these ADs
  21. [R110] Flow Free 5/5 · US Will Not Stay On Game: I paid for game of Free Flow. For some reason after I play first game it sends me to Royal Kingdom and will not let me go back to Free Flow. I am really upset that game I paid for to remove ads is giving me nothing but ads. Bummer.
  22. [R50] 3 Dots 4/5 · US I reinstalled the game: Played this game years ago reinstall. Hopefully it doesn’t become so difficult that I don’t delete it again. Played for years finally just gave up.
  23. [R82] Flow Free 1/5 · US App stopped working: The game stopped loading for me today and I’m going to lose my daily streak :(
  24. [R88] Flow Free 1/5 · US Game Stopped Working Today: Been a daily player for a LONG time. It just stopped working today June 26th. Hopefully it gets fixed because I have a daily streak I don’t want to lose.
  25. [R103] Flow Free 1/5 · US I'm really just heartbroken: I got so far into the game where i unlocked so much and it stopped working on my phone. I deleted it knowing i will have to start all over again but it still won't work. I would play the game like an hour a day durning school because it was the only thing that would work. deleting it was the hardest thing i had to make myself do but I did it just to be hurt all over ag

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