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

⋆Solitaire vs Solitaire by Staple Games

⋆Solitaire 4.7★ · Free + IAP 55
Winner Solitaire by Staple Games
Solitaire by Staple Games 4.8★ · Free to download 65

Solitaire by Staple Games is the better choice for a classic solitaire experience, despite recent ad issues, as ⋆Solitaire suffers from more severe and intrusive advertising, as well as significant functionality problems.

Full reviews: ⋆Solitaire · Solitaire by Staple Games

While both Solitaire apps have recently introduced more frequent and intrusive ads, ⋆Solitaire faces more severe complaints about unskippable ads and significant bugs, making Solitaire by Staple Games a slightly more reliable option for core gameplay, even with its own ad-related frustrations.

Head to head

Features tieR2R8R9R12
⋆Solitaire Users appreciate the classic solitaire gameplay, with some enjoying daily challenges and brain exercise R2R8. However, recent updates have changed card designs to be more 'child-like' or 'chunky,' which many dislike R9R21. There are also issues with the shop not loading, preventing users from accessing rewards or buying hints R12R14R23.
Solitaire by Staple Games Users enjoy the simple, straightforward, and classic solitaire experience . Some appreciate the unique font and cool looks . However, some users note a change in game difficulty, with fewer solvable games recently . There's also a request for difficulty levels and instructions .
Ease of Use edge: Solitaire by Staple GamesR2R9R20R21
⋆Solitaire Many users find the game relaxing and easy to play R2R20. However, recent UI changes, particularly to card appearance and placement, have made the game less enjoyable and sometimes unplayable for some, especially on iPad R9R21. The 'Stuck, Try this' feature is also disliked by users who prefer to tap for hints themselves R9.
Solitaire by Staple Games Users find the game simple and easy to understand . Some appreciate the clean graphics . However, recent changes to card numbers are noted as needing adjustment .
Reliability edge: Solitaire by Staple GamesR16R17R18R29
⋆Solitaire Users report frequent crashes, freezing, and stuttering, especially after recent updates or iOS updates R16R17R29. Some ads also freeze, preventing gameplay . There are also reports of the game refusing to admit defeat in unsolvable games R18 and issues with win streaks not syncing across devices .
Solitaire by Staple Games Users report the app crashes when ad servers cannot be reached, such as when offline . There are also complaints about the app losing scores and forgetting settings .
Price/Value tieR1R3R4R7
⋆Solitaire Many users are frustrated by the shift to a subscription model ($10/year) to remove ads, preferring a one-time purchase R1. The constant and intrusive ads significantly diminish the game's value for free users R1R3R4R7.
Solitaire by Staple Games The app is free to download, but many users are upset by the introduction of frequent and unskippable ads, especially since it was advertised as ad-free R67R72. There is no option to pay to remove ads R78.
Support tieR12R14R23R27
⋆Solitaire Users report issues with the shop not loading, preventing them from buying hints or redeeming rewards, and express a desire to report bugs R12R14R23. There's also frustration over changes to rewards programs R27.
Solitaire by Staple Games There is no direct feedback on support, but users express frustration over the sudden appearance of ads after being advertised as ad-free, suggesting a lack of transparency or communication from the developer R87.
Pick ⋆Solitaire if

Pick ⋆Solitaire if you are willing to pay a $10 annual subscription to remove ads and prefer a version that offers daily challenges and brain exercise, provided you can tolerate potential bugs and UI changes R1R8.

Pick Solitaire by Staple Games if

Pick Solitaire by Staple Games if you prefer a simple, straightforward, and classic solitaire experience and are willing to tolerate recent ad introductions, especially if you value a clean interface and find other apps too complex .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of recent negative reviews primarily focused on ad intrusion, which skews their recent sentiment compared to their high lifetime ratings. ⋆Solitaire has a paid subscription option to remove ads, while Solitaire by Staple Games does not, which is a key differentiator in user frustration regarding ads.

Frequently asked

Can you play ⋆Solitaire without ads?
Yes, you can play ⋆Solitaire without ads by purchasing a subscription for $10 a year, though many users express disappointment that it's not a one-time purchase R1.
Does Solitaire by Staple Games have ads?
Yes, Solitaire by Staple Games has ads, despite being advertised as ad-free; many users report that ads started appearing after a few days or weeks of playing, and there is no option to pay to remove them R67R72R78R87.
Which app has more intrusive ads?
⋆Solitaire appears to have more intrusive ads, with users reporting pop-up ads in the middle of a game, screaming banner ads, and ads that are difficult or impossible to close, sometimes forcing app restarts R4R7R13R19.

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] ⋆Solitaire 5/5 · US Solitaire Classic: Love it, very relaxing.
  2. [R8] ⋆Solitaire 4/5 · US Solitaire: Solidarity is a great game it exercises you brain. When my kids are on there iPads it is a game that they can learn from not like addictive game that is not useful
  3. [R9] ⋆Solitaire 3/5 · US Leave things the way they were!: I love playing this game and your spider! I paid to access your games. I stopped playing solitaire because on my iPad the cards are lower down and the cards flip over like wet noodle. The new cards are child like. I wish gave us a choice! I use to love playing this game! But you had to keep fiddling with it! I hate the new look of the cards! I also hate “Stuck, Try
  4. [R12] ⋆Solitaire 3/5 · US Shop: The game is good and I don’t mind the ads, but the shop only loaded the first time I used the game and I haven’t had access to it since then. It’s just a continuous loading screen
  5. [R20] ⋆Solitaire 5/5 · US Enjoy playing: Relaxing and easy to play!
  6. [R21] ⋆Solitaire 3/5 · US What happened to the cards?: I opened the game today and the faces of the cards are bigger/bolder. It looks almost cartoonish. I can’t even describe it but it’s terrible and I wish it would go back to how it was.
  7. [R16] ⋆Solitaire 1/5 · US Crashes on opening: Crashes on startup. M5 Pro, 26.5.
  8. [R17] ⋆Solitaire 4/5 · US Suddenly Stuck: I love this Solitaire game but as of today, it will not load. I am not sure what to do. I came here hoping there was an update, but do not see anything that will help.
  9. [R18] ⋆Solitaire 3/5 · US Refuses to admit defeat: The program has a bug that does not let you get a game over when there are no more moves. It forces you to keep playing and the hints just keeps telling you to keep redrawing. The only way to win is the unwindable game is to watch an ad for a reveal. I tried replaying 3 times to see if I could but it was impossible. But the game refused to admit it and just kept trying to
  10. [R29] ⋆Solitaire 5/5 · US Updates: Last week I took the requested update, I’ve had nothing but trouble with the game since. It stutters, never can get under 2 1/2 minutes per game. And loading the game to play is 3x as long.
  11. [R1] ⋆Solitaire 1/5 · US $10 a year to remove the ads.: Been enjoying the game for a while and finally decided to go ahead and buy the game. I was very disappointed to see they are only selling subscriptions. Will delete the game and play somewhere else.
  12. [R3] ⋆Solitaire 3/5 · US Meh: Yeah the Ads are getting bad.
  13. [R4] ⋆Solitaire 1/5 · US Stop intrusive ads now!: I have loved this game for years. But now, suddenly, there are pop up ads in the MIDDLE OF A GAME. Stop these immediately or I’ll delete this game.
  14. [R7] ⋆Solitaire 1/5 · US STILL SCREAMING noise from banner adds while in the middle of a game.: Do you really think that the adds opening the browser and App Store between games is going to get people to install other games? It’s more likely to aggravate people into uninstalling this game. There’s a banner add that keeps popping up while i’m playing that plays an annoying sound. It’s startling and jarring, i don’t mind th
  15. [R14] ⋆Solitaire 5/5 · US How do you report a bug?: My shop won’t load, and hasn’t loaded in a while. I would like to buy hints again
  16. [R23] ⋆Solitaire 5/5 · US Love playing: I love this game. The only thing I have a problem with is the shop. I can’t access it to use my coins. 😫
  17. [R27] ⋆Solitaire 3/5 · US What happened: I love this game but what happened to the MyVIPRewards? And if them rewards do come back, can they be more international rewards
  18. [R67] Solitaire by Staple Games 1/5 · US Long unskippable ads: I don’t know how other users aren’t getting ads. Before every single game there is a one to two minute ad that is unskippable and which you must interact with before you can close. Unplayable, deleted.
  19. [R72] Solitaire by Staple Games 3/5 · US Ad’s: I have played this app for a very long time and have loved the fact that there have been no ad’s. For some reason as I decided to play today anytime I start a new game I am blown up with ad’s. Not too happy.
  20. [R78] Solitaire by Staple Games 3/5 · GB Mixed opinions: Solid gameplay, enjoyed, but app drains battery fast, and no option to pay to remove ads.
  21. [R87] Solitaire by Staple Games 3/5 · GB Lies: This game was advertised as having NO ADS, Just good classic old solitaire. That’s how they got me At first it was all fine, after like 8 games I noticed one tiny ad popped up in the corner of the game. After a day of playing, I get video ads popping up in between games. It’s a definite turn off
  22. [R13] ⋆Solitaire 1/5 · US ANNOYING ADS: I can’t even use the app anymore!! It’s ad after ad after ad! There’s not even an x button anywhere. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO PLAY THE GAME! TERRIBLE!!
  23. [R19] ⋆Solitaire 1/5 · US Way too many ads!!!!!!!!!: I have begun my day with this game for years. But recently the ads are increasingly obnoxious. And they cannot be turned off. I want one quick game. I don’t want to sit and watch about shaving my pubic hair or playing other games that are relentlessly in my face. I wish the distributors of this game would reduce the number of ads by at least 75%. It’s ridiculous.

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