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

Merge Cooking® vs Cook & Merge

Merge Cooking® 4.7★ · Free + IAP 60
Winner Cook & Merge
Cook & Merge 4.8★ · Free + IAP 70

Cook & Merge generally offers a more engaging and less monetized experience, despite recent negative updates, making it the slightly better choice for merge game enthusiasts.

Full reviews: Merge Cooking® · Cook & Merge

Merge Cooking® and Cook & Merge both offer merge-style gameplay, but Merge Cooking® is heavily criticized for aggressive monetization and false advertising, while Cook & Merge, despite recent unpopular updates, still provides a more enjoyable experience with fewer paywalls.

Head to head

Monetization & Energy System edge: Cook & MergeR3R4R8R9
Merge Cooking® Merge Cooking® is frequently criticized for its aggressive monetization, with users reporting that energy depletes too quickly R4R8R9, generators run out fast R3, and progress is impossible without spending money . Some users also report that making a purchase removes options to earn free rewards .
Cook & Merge Cook & Merge also faces criticism for its energy system and monetization, with users stating that energy runs out quickly and some purchases don't grant promised rewards . However, some users note that it's possible to gain energy without paying , though recent updates have removed previous unlimited energy options, leading to frustration R84R87R93R108.
Gameplay & Enjoyment edge: Cook & MergeR3R4R5R9
Merge Cooking® Users find Merge Cooking® fun and addicting initially R5, with enjoyable merge mechanics R4 and good graphics . However, many become frustrated with excessive downtime due to energy limits R3R9, repetitive tasks , and side games that are unwinnable or annoying .
Cook & Merge Cook & Merge is described as super fun and engaging , with a unique idea . It's seen as relaxing and good for passing time . However, recent updates have negatively impacted gameplay, with changes to events and the removal of unlimited energy making it less enjoyable for many long-term players R84.
Technical Issues & Ads tieR13R19R28R42
Merge Cooking® Merge Cooking® users report frequent crashes R19 and issues with lost progress after purchases R28. Many are frustrated by a high volume of pop-up ads trying to sell items R42R45R46 and ads that don't close R49. There are also complaints about ads for energy disappearing after a purchase R13.
Cook & Merge Cook & Merge suffers from significant technical problems, with many users reporting the app crashes frequently R61R63 or gets stuck loading at 24% R88R91. Ads are also a major point of contention, with too many pop-ups , ads not giving rewards , and sometimes glitching to use diamonds instead of providing energy .
Advertising Accuracy edge: Cook & MergeR1R27R31R34
Merge Cooking® A significant number of Merge Cooking® reviews state that the game is not as advertised R1R27R31R34. Users downloaded the game based on ads showing different gameplay, such as cake merging puzzles, only to find a completely different merge game R34.
Cook & Merge There are no direct complaints about false advertising for Cook & Merge in the provided reviews, although one user mentions seeing an ad for a feature not present in Merge Cooking .
Pick Merge Cooking® if

you enjoy a game with decent graphics and a storyline, and don't mind frequent interruptions for monetization or waiting for energy .

Pick Cook & Merge if

you're looking for a relaxing and engaging merge game that offers more ways to play without immediate payment, even if recent updates have reduced some free benefits .

Evidence note: Both apps are free with in-app purchases, and much of the negativity for both stems from the free-to-play model's friction points, such as energy limits and ads. Cook & Merge has a higher lifetime rating, but recent reviews indicate a decline in satisfaction due to updates.

Frequently asked

Are there frequent ads in Merge Cooking®?
Yes, Merge Cooking® has frequent pop-up ads trying to sell items, with users reporting having to close 3-4 pop-ups during gameplay, and some ads for rewards don't close or disappear after a purchase R42R45R46R49.
Does Cook & Merge have crashing or loading issues?
Yes, Cook & Merge frequently crashes for many users and often gets stuck loading at 24% when trying to open the app R61R63R88R91.
Is Merge Cooking® accurately advertised?
No, many users report that Merge Cooking® is not accurately advertised, with ads showing different gameplay, such as cake merging puzzles, that are not present in the actual game R1R27R31R34.
Did Cook & Merge recently change its energy system?
Yes, recent updates to Cook & Merge have removed previous options for unlimited energy, leading to frustration among players who now feel they can only play for a few minutes at a time R84R87R93R108.

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. [R3] Merge Cooking® 3/5 · US what are u supposed to do when the generators are loading: the generators only work for a few seconds even after upgrading them. i genuinely close out of the game while i wait like an hour for them to even regenerate to which i only get 10 minutes of gameplay after that. and if you want it to generate faster you have to spend a ridiculous amount of diamonds. like theres genuinely nothing else to t
  2. [R4] Merge Cooking® 2/5 · US The game is fun.. however: The game itself is actually fun, and the merge mechanics are enjoyable, which is why I'm giving it 2 stars instead of 1. Unfortunately, it's buried under so many monetization mechanics that it stops being fun after a while. The biggest issue is the energy system. You're capped at 100 energy, it takes 120 seconds to regenerate a single point, and it takes nearly 3 hours t
  3. [R8] Merge Cooking® 4/5 · US It’s ok: The lightning runs out so fast
  4. [R9] Merge Cooking® 3/5 · US I love it sm but hate the energy: I love this game, especially the merge and complete orders. But having to have energy is so annoying and frustrating, it stops me from playing after 15-20 mins… you’d think they’d want you to play the game as long as you’d like😅
  5. [R5] Merge Cooking® 4/5 · US Cool game: Fun to play not overstimulating
  6. [R13] Merge Cooking® 1/5 · US No more ads to exchange energy: No more ads to exchange energy
  7. [R19] Merge Cooking® 2/5 · US Why does it keep crashing?: The game keeps crashing and I’m losing my energy, it’s getting really annoying.
  8. [R28] Merge Cooking® 2/5 · US Lost Progress & Purchase: The app is decent, but it’s supposed to save progress through multiple devices. When you log into a new device with your same email. After I made a purchase I lost everything.
  9. [R42] Merge Cooking® 3/5 · GB Good game, too many pop ups.: This game is constantly trying to get you to pay for energy. I understand the odd pop up, but having to X away 3 or 4 pop ups throughout game play is exceptionally frustrating. I’m also a regular player, but still have never completed a full card collection. It also takes ages to save up your card points to exchange them in and get 0 new ones? Proper joke.
  10. [R1] Merge Cooking® 1/5 · US bogus bs: not how it’s advertised at all !
  11. [R27] Merge Cooking® 3/5 · US Fun but a bit of a false advertisement: The game is fun and definitely addicting, but the advertisements are all false. The ads I’ve seen for it are all features or games that don’t actually exist in the app, which is super weird
  12. [R31] Merge Cooking® 1/5 · US Downloaded after seeing an ad: I saw an add while playing a different game and it looked interesting so I downloaded it only for me to find out that the actual game has nothing to do with the playable ad that I like.
  13. [R34] Merge Cooking® 1/5 · US False Marketing: I downloaded this game from their advertisement while playing another game, and this is not the preview I played even remotely. I was advertised a cake merging puzzle and got a way different type of merging game and was greeted with stupid AI voice acting. I’m sure it’s a fun game, but it is NOT what I was advertised. Customers don’t want false marketing.
  14. [R45] Merge Cooking® 3/5 · GB Fun but…: I’ve been playing this for quite some time. I did enjoy it but now the amount of time allowed from each generator to produce the things I need seems to be getting shorter. I find watching the ads to get more energy or time won a generator annoying. I have been trying for 3 days to get one thing I need to complete a task! The other pop up ads asking if I want to buy stuff for the game is
  15. [R46] Merge Cooking® 1/5 · GB Could be soooo much better: I love the game. But the fact that you only get 100 energy and if you use your multiplier you can’t progress at all which is so frustrating, also WAY to many add trying to sell you something when you know all you have is maybe 3 minutes game time with your poxy 100 energy. Subsequently can never complete any of the beanstalk missions or others if you don’t pay for extra
  16. [R49] Merge Cooking® 1/5 · GB Rubbish ads won’t close: Rubbish ads won’t close so you’re getting a one star teview for every ad I can’t skip
  17. [R61] Cook & Merge 1/5 · US App Crashes All The Time: I’m a real person this app crashes a lot. I don’t know if it’s just me but can use a little fixing.
  18. [R63] Cook & Merge 3/5 · US Great Game: Great game but it just crashed. I have uninstalled it twice and it’s still not working. The hate that cause. Really did like the game.
  19. [R88] Cook & Merge 1/5 · US loading: Same as everyone else, won't load past 24%
  20. [R91] Cook & Merge 1/5 · US Won’t load: Just downloaded. Won’t load past 24%
  21. [R84] Cook & Merge 3/5 · US Last update was not helpful.: I enjoyed this game but with the last changes we can no longer play but for a few minutes at a time. We previously were awarded unlimited energy for 2 or 5 minutes at a time. Not anymore. Almost every one on my team has quit playing. I feel like you are just greedy. Please change it back.
  22. [R87] Cook & Merge 3/5 · US Option for unlimited energy: I think that the update is overall fine despite the consensus of everyone disliking it, however, the one major flaw is taking away the unlimited energy. This was really unique for the game and created a dopamine fix that I didn’t get from other games. I think that even if you just brought it back partly instead of every other reward a lot of people would respond posit
  23. [R93] Cook & Merge 3/5 · US energy: bring back endless energy
  24. [R108] Cook & Merge 3/5 · GB Update made it worse: I’ve loved this game for ages but the recent update really has made it much worse. Loss of occasional limitless energy, no guaranteed cards from certain packs, frenetic power boosts we didn’t need and which largely make the timers you receive as bonuses completely redundant. Also: update the pizza/ice cream parlour mini games! Same old thing on repeat, so boring now

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