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

Four in a Row. vs Four In A Row

Four in a Row. 4.4★ · Free to download · ⚠ stale 60
Winner Four In A Row
Four In A Row 4.6★ · Free + IAP · ⚠ stale 70

Four In A Row (App B) is generally the better choice for a classic Four in a Row experience due to its larger user base and more consistent performance, despite both apps struggling with ads and AI difficulty.

Full reviews: Four in a Row. · Four In A Row

Both 'Four in a Row' apps offer a digital version of the classic game, but 'Four In A Row' (App B) has a significantly larger user base and slightly higher lifetime rating. While both are criticized for excessive ads and AI difficulty, App B appears to have a more stable single-player experience, though its multiplayer is also problematic.

Head to head

Features (AI Difficulty) tieR1R3R5R10
Four in a Row. Users of App A frequently find the AI too difficult, even on easy settings, making it challenging to win R1R3R10R17. However, some users appreciate the challenge and find the AI smart and tricky on harder levels R5R14.
Four In A Row App B's users have mixed opinions on AI difficulty. Some find the hard bot very challenging , with a few even claiming to have beaten it . However, others report the robot is too easy, even on hard mode, and rarely wins .
Features (Multiplayer/Online Play) tieR16R19R34R46
Four in a Row. App A's network mode and multiplayer are reported to be buggy and unreliable. Users experience issues with opponent moves not registering, requiring exiting and re-entering the game, and general unplayability R19R34. There are also complaints about not being able to change usernames R16 and games ending in draws when a win was possible R46.
Four In A Row App B's online play also has significant issues. Users report playing the same 'fake' online opponents repeatedly R64, and frequent disconnections or players quitting when losing R118. The online element is seen as needing fixes .
Ease of Use / User Experience tieR2R4R7R13
Four in a Row. App A is described as bare bones and easy to play R2. However, some users report slow loading R13, issues with screen size on iPad , and accidental presses . The app also pestered users to join Game Center R4 or write reviews R7.
Four In A Row App B is generally considered easy to play with a clean background . However, users desire improvements like horizontal view for iPad and better screen flipping settings for two-player local play . The app also pestered users to rate the game even after they had already done so or purchased the ad-free version .
Reliability / Performance tieR19R22R27R34
Four in a Row. App A suffers from freezing and glitches R22, network mode not working R19R34, and general buggy behavior . Some users also report the app saying a game is in progress when there isn't one R27.
Four In A Row App B also has functionality issues, with some users noting a decline in performance and the app malfunctioning, requiring users to exit the app to close ads .
Price/Value (Ads) tieR2R13R28R40
Four in a Row. App A is heavily criticized for intrusive and excessive ads. Users complain about long, unskippable ads R13, flashing ads that are irritating R40, ads that bombard and send users out of the app R28, and even ads that could cause viruses R28. Some users specifically chose App A for its lack of ads, only to find them later R2.
Four In A Row App B is also severely criticized for an overwhelming number of ads. Users report ads after every game R70, ads lasting 30 seconds to 1-2 minutes R70, unskippable ads , and even inappropriate 'sex ads' . Many find the ads kill the experience and make the game unenjoyable .
Pick Four in a Row. if

you prefer a more 'bare bones' experience and are willing to tolerate significant ad interruptions and potential multiplayer bugs R2R13R19.

Pick Four In A Row if

you want a game with a larger user base and a slightly higher lifetime rating, and are prepared to deal with frequent and lengthy ads, or are willing to pay for the ad-free version R70.

Evidence note: Both apps are free to download and rely on ads, which is a major point of contention in reviews for both. The free-to-play model likely contributes to the negative skew in recent reviews due to ad friction.

Frequently asked

Do these apps have a lot of ads?
Yes, both 'Four in a Row' (App A) and 'Four In A Row' (App B) are heavily criticized for having too many ads, with users reporting long, unskippable ads that appear after every game and significantly interrupt gameplay R13R28R40R70.
Is the AI challenging in these games?
The AI in both apps receives mixed reviews regarding difficulty; some users find it too hard even on easy settings R1R10R17, while others find it too easy, even on hard mode , though some appreciate the challenge of the harder levels R14.
Are there multiplayer options?
Both apps offer multiplayer, but users report significant issues with both. App A's network mode is buggy, with moves not registering and frequent interruptions R19R34, while App B's online play is criticized for 'fake' opponents and players quitting R64R118.

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] Four in a Row. 1/5 · US Robot: The robot in the 1player mode was too hard even in easy mode
  2. [R3] Four in a Row. 3/5 · US 4 in a row: Tough game to win!
  3. [R5] Four in a Row. 5/5 · US Got took out by AI in Four in a Row: Great game
  4. [R10] Four in a Row. 1/5 · US Briley: It kinda is hard when you're on easy level it still is hard
  5. [R16] Four in a Row. 1/5 · US Name: Can’t change username on this game
  6. [R19] Four in a Row. 1/5 · US Network mode not working: Opponent move does not register unless you exit game play and return to board. This used to work but now unplayable. Please fix. I have iPhone 6. Same issue still exist
  7. [R34] Four in a Row. 2/5 · US Network Play? Not Impressed.: The kids liked to play this game until they started network play with the grandparents. It can't seem to determine when a game has begun, after 2-3 starts it finally seems to work, except every move they have to exit to the main menu and select network play and reselect the game once it can determine whose play it is. Kids are so frustrated they no longer want to pl
  8. [R46] Four in a Row. 2/5 · US No more "draws": Game is great but most if my games end in a draw when it is obvious that one person could have won. PLEASE remove this feature!!!
  9. [R2] Four in a Row. 5/5 · US This is the one: Bare bones and NO ADS. Perfect for fast playing and solo practice
  10. [R4] Four in a Row. 1/5 · US Stop!!!: Stop asking me to join Game Center
  11. [R7] Four in a Row. 2/5 · US Interrupted: They interrupted us so I could write this review. Amazing!
  12. [R13] Four in a Row. 2/5 · US APP: This app loads slow. The advertisements are too long and Hard to get rid.
  13. [R22] Four in a Row. 1/5 · US Fun but 1 problem: The game is fun in all but you play rounds and it freezes ❄️ then glitches 👾 that’s why I’m getting rid of this app. 👎🏻👾😢👎🏻👾😥👎🏻
  14. [R27] Four in a Row. 3/5 · GB OK: Says there's a game in progress when there is none
  15. [R28] Four in a Row. 1/5 · US Good game, bad scam.: The game isn't self isn't bad, it's the fact it bombards you with ads. I understand fully that it's free but it also sends you out of the ap countless times and gives messages like "free phone" to the player that could cause a virus. So I you want to play this cute game while waiting. Get it somewhere else. Don't risk your phone.
  16. [R40] Four in a Row. 1/5 · US X: It WAS a fun game until they added a FLASHING AD at the bottom. You can't make it go away -VERY IRRITATING! I'll never play it again, or any other game with flashing ads.
  17. [R70] Four In A Row 2/5 · US Too many ads in the way: Pure telling me I have to wait 30 seconds to a minute after each time a game ends.. rather irritating.
  18. [R14] Four in a Row. 5/5 · US Smart AI: On the hardest level against the AI is tough, but not impossible. Although the AI is tricky it will use a diversion to keep you occupied, then it will strike where you least expect it. So when you least expect it, EXPECT IT!
  19. [R17] Four in a Row. 4/5 · US There is a bug on mine, beside that great game: The game is ok, but when I click easy, it’s hard. I might not be good at four in a row, but I just think it’s weird. Great game tho. I recommend it to everyone.
  20. [R64] Four In A Row 1/5 · US Fake online: Played the same guy for 3 days in a row in online play. Never won a single game, was definitely just the difficulty cranked up to the hardest setting. A shame
  21. [R118] Four In A Row 1/5 · US Bad multiplayer: it doesnt work. the app is full to the brims of annoying ads too.

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