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

Merge and Dig vs Drill & Collect

Merge and Dig 4.7★ · Free + IAP 60
Winner Drill & Collect
Drill & Collect 4.7★ · Free + IAP 65

Drill & Collect is slightly better due to fewer reports of critical bugs and better gameplay variety, despite both apps suffering from excessive ads.

Full reviews: Merge and Dig · Drill & Collect

Both Merge and Dig and Drill & Collect offer similar 'merge and dig' gameplay, but are plagued by an overwhelming number of ads that significantly hinder the user experience. Drill & Collect has a slight edge due to fewer reports of game-breaking bugs and a more engaging gameplay loop for some users, though its ad frequency is still a major drawback.

Head to head

Features & Gameplay edge: Drill & CollectR2R5R8R11
Merge and Dig Users find Merge and Dig fun and satisfying, especially in the early game R2R5R8R11. However, many report that the game becomes repetitive and lacks new content in later stages, with nothing left to merge or build . Some also mention the game being too easy after a certain point R27.
Drill & Collect Drill & Collect is described as addictive and fun, with users enjoying the core gameplay loop . However, some find it repetitive over time, with negligible variation between areas . There are also complaints that the game doesn't match its advertisements .
Ease of Use & Performance tieR1R4R7R15
Merge and Dig A significant number of Merge and Dig users report critical issues like the game not loading, crashing, or getting stuck on a black screen R1R4R7. Some also experience bugs where they don't receive blocks or are forced into bonus levels R15.
Drill & Collect Drill & Collect users report issues with the app freezing, not loading completely, or crashing . A common complaint is that the game causes phones to overheat and drains battery rapidly . There are also mentions of the Android version needing work compared to iOS .
Ads & Monetization tieR3R10R18R22
Merge and Dig Merge and Dig is heavily criticized for an overwhelming number of ads, with some users reporting ads every 15-30 seconds or after every round/level R3R10R18R22. Crucially, many users who paid to remove ads still experienced pop-ups and forced ads, leading to feelings of being scammed R27R33R40R57.
Drill & Collect Drill & Collect also faces severe criticism for its excessive ads, with reports of ads every 30 seconds to 1-2 minutes, often interrupting gameplay R61. Similar to App A, some users who paid to remove ads still encountered forced ads . The price for ad removal is noted as high ($8-10) .
Pick Merge and Dig if

You are looking for a simple, satisfying ASMR-like game for short bursts and are prepared to either tolerate many ads or risk the IAP for ad removal R2R11.

Pick Drill & Collect if

You enjoy idle games with a drilling/collecting mechanic, are willing to pay to remove ads (with the understanding that some may persist), and prioritize engaging gameplay over potential overheating issues .

Evidence note: Both apps are free with in-app purchases (IAP) to remove ads. The significant negativity in reviews for both apps is heavily skewed by the overwhelming ad frequency, which is a common friction point for non-paying users in free-to-play mobile games. However, a notable number of users for both apps report that even after paying for ad removal, they still encounter ads, which is a critical issue.

Frequently asked

Do these games have too many ads?
Yes, both Merge and Dig and Drill & Collect are heavily criticized for having an excessive number of ads, with users reporting ads every 15-30 seconds or after every action, making gameplay frustrating and often unplayable R10R28R61R70.
Does paying to remove ads work in these games?
For both Merge and Dig and Drill & Collect, many users report that paying for ad removal does not fully eliminate ads, with pop-ups and forced ads still appearing, leading to dissatisfaction and feelings of being scammed R27R33R40R57.
Are there performance issues with these games?
Merge and Dig users frequently report critical loading and crashing issues R1R4R7R43, while Drill & Collect users commonly experience their phones overheating and rapid battery drain .

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. [R2] Merge and Dig 5/5 · US This game was so much fun: I love the game because it’s very asmr like
  2. [R5] Merge and Dig 5/5 · US Early game: I like early game I like early game I like early game And late. Game I did not mean that double space Late. Game
  3. [R8] Merge and Dig 5/5 · US I love it so much: It is so much fun
  4. [R11] Merge and Dig 5/5 · US Merge and Dig: This is a nice game in case you’re stressed or anything because it gets your stressed out because I really like this game and I will no drug play this when I’m stressed and during all day I will. I’ll be on my phone when I have free time all that good stuff.
  5. [R1] Merge and Dig 1/5 · US It won’t start: It won’t let me play it
  6. [R4] 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 :/
  7. [R7] Merge and Dig 2/5 · US It’s broken: Please fix your game. It will not load.
  8. [R15] Merge and Dig 3/5 · US STOP: WHY DO YOU FORCE ME TO PLAY THE BONUS? WHY CAN’T I JUST EXIT OUT YOU’RE FORCING ME TO WATCH AN AD JUST TO PLAY A BONUS AND NOT LET ME NOT PLAY IT JUST LET ME PLAY THE REAL GAME!!!!!
  9. [R3] Merge and Dig 3/5 · US Ads: Tons of ads
  10. [R10] Merge and Dig 1/5 · US Ad every 30 seconds: Completely unplayable with an ad after every round so annoying don’t download
  11. [R18] Merge and Dig 3/5 · US Too Many Ads: This game has very fun and simple gameplay for when I get bored, don’t get me wrong, but there are just too many ads. Occasionally a pop up appears that says I can watch an ad for a reward, and I pick no thank you, but it still gives me an ad. Please fix this issue!
  12. [R22] Merge and Dig 1/5 · US TOO MANY ADS!: I'm trying to play a game here and my screen is smeared with a diarrhea of colors and motions which makes it hard for me to concentrate on the game. I didn't bother playing past level 3 because the clutter is unappealing and distracting, also, the over represented games makes it look like no serious confidence is supporting this one. Just play the free version on YouTube payables. T
  13. [R28] Merge and Dig 1/5 · US So many ads: Stupid devils, an ad literally every 15 seconds. What greedy developers. I understand free games have either donations or ads, but this is excessive. It's impossible to play; watching ads takes more time than playing. · translated
  14. [R61] Drill & Collect 1/5 · US Too many ads: For every 30 seconds of play there is 30 seconds of ad
  15. [R70] Drill & Collect 1/5 · US Ads every 60 seconds!!: It’s as if they made this game specifically for ads not to actually enjoy playing a game
  16. [R27] Merge and Dig 3/5 · US Decent game with a lot of ads: This game is pretty decent as far as passing time and satisfaction gain goes. I pretty early on just spent the $3 to go ad free because holy moley are there a ton of ads… even with the “no ads” they still try and get you to watch ads at least twice per level. My biggest gripe with the game is that it’s way too easy. I am on level 323 and I haven’t had to upgrade a si
  17. [R33] Merge and Dig 3/5 · US Pay to get rid of Ads just to still have em: Just paid for no Ads . And Yet I’m still receiving Ads every time
  18. [R40] Merge and Dig 1/5 · US Do better: Great game play, enjoyed the game alot so I bout the no adds. Tell me why I buy no adds and I still get pop ups and adds coming in like I never bought it.
  19. [R57] Merge and Dig 3/5 · GB Brought no ads: I brought no ads and I still get ads when I click next game, I've asked for refund. Over all it's a good game it's just scammed me, which is why I have three stars
  20. [R43] Merge and Dig 1/5 · US Won’t let me load in: I have a newer decent phone that can handle a lot. It could load into the game. It would have a grey screen with “loading…” I’ve gone out and restarted my phone several times and nothing has worked

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