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

Flow Free vs Dot Knot

Flow Free 4.8★ · Free + IAP 65
Winner Flow Free
Dot Knot 4.9★ · Free + IAP 45

Flow Free is the better choice for a classic, relaxing puzzle game despite its ad issues, as Dot Knot suffers from more severe ad interruptions and significant functionality problems.

Full reviews: Flow Free · Dot Knot

Both Flow Free and Dot Knot are popular 'connect the dots' puzzle games, but both are heavily criticized for an overwhelming number of ads, even for paid users in Flow Free's case. Flow Free generally offers a more stable and relaxing experience, while Dot Knot struggles with game-breaking glitches and even more intrusive ad breaks.

Head to head

Features and Gameplay edge: Flow FreeR2R5R17R29
Flow Free Flow Free is praised for being relaxing, fun, and good for the brain, with many levels and variations that gradually increase in difficulty R2R5R17R29. Some users find it too easy initially .
Dot Knot Dot Knot is described as challenging, interesting, and a good brain exercise . However, some users find later levels brutal and with weird solutions, requiring every box to be filled . There are also complaints about a lack of strategy reveals .
Ease of Use and User Experience edge: Flow FreeR2R5R9R10
Flow Free Flow Free is considered easy to understand R5 and relaxing R2. However, some users find the settings confusing R9 and one user found the game too hard to win R10.
Dot Knot Dot Knot is generally found fun and relaxing . However, the experience is severely hampered by ads that interrupt gameplay, causing loss of progress and concentration .
Reliability and Performance tieR15R19R22R28
Flow Free Flow Free has significant issues with the app stopping working, leading to lost daily streaks and progress R19R22R28R43. Some users also report issues with ads opening Safari or not closing R15.
Dot Knot Dot Knot also suffers from severe reliability issues, including lost points and progress , levels freezing or being unsolvable , and daily challenges not loading . Recent updates have also introduced glitches and changed the interface negatively .
Price and Value (Free vs. Paid) tieR1R3R4R6
Flow Free Flow Free is heavily criticized for an overwhelming number of long ads in the free version R1R3R4R6. Crucially, multiple users who paid for the 'no-ads' version still report seeing ads, especially for hints or being redirected to other games R7R13R50. Hints are also considered expensive R9.
Dot Knot Dot Knot also has a significant problem with ads, with users stating there are too many, often appearing after every round and, more frustratingly, during gameplay as 'ad breaks' . One user who paid for ad-free still experienced constant ads R88.
Support and Updates tieR19R22R28R43
Flow Free Flow Free users report issues with the game stopping working after updates or on newer phone models, and losing daily streaks R19R22R28R43. There's also a complaint about no price tags for in-app purchases R19.
Dot Knot Dot Knot users report that recent updates have negatively impacted the game, introducing glitches, changing the interface, and not adding new levels . Some users also report issues with daily challenges not being available and problems with specific levels .
Pick Flow Free if

You want a classic, relaxing puzzle game with a large number of levels, and are willing to either tolerate frequent ads or risk paying for ad-free and still seeing some ads R2R5R17.

Pick Dot Knot if

You are looking for a challenging 'connect the dots' puzzle game and are prepared to deal with extremely frequent and intrusive ads, including mid-game interruptions, and potential game-breaking glitches .

Evidence note: Both apps have a high lifetime rating, but recent reviews for both are overwhelmingly negative due to excessive ads and functionality issues. The free-vs-paid asymmetry is particularly evident in Flow Free, where paying users still encounter ads, which is a significant drawback.

Frequently asked

Are Flow Free and Dot Knot truly ad-free if you pay?
No, reviews indicate that even after purchasing the 'no-ads' version of Flow Free, users still encounter ads, particularly for hints or being redirected to other games R7R13R50. Similarly, a Dot Knot user who paid for ad-free still reported constant ads R88.
Do these games have problems with progress or levels?
Yes, both games have reported issues with progress and levels. Flow Free users have experienced the app stopping working, leading to lost daily streaks and all progress R19R22R28R43. Dot Knot users report lost points and progress , levels freezing or being unsolvable , and daily challenges not loading .
Are the ads in these games intrusive?
Yes, ads in both games are described as highly intrusive. Flow Free users report minute-long ads after every one or two levels, making the game more stressful than relaxing R3R4R12R18. Dot Knot's ads are even more disruptive, frequently interrupting gameplay with 'ad breaks' that can cause loss of progress and concentration .

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] Flow Free 5/5 · US Flow Free: It is so relaxing and fun to do.
  2. [R5] Flow Free 5/5 · US Great: It’s good for your brain and the controls are easy to understand.I highly recommend it for your children.
  3. [R17] Flow Free 5/5 · US The best game: That is really really, really really good. I like this game if you were looking at the comments right now it’s a really good game and it’s kind of a brain puzzle. I really like it. I think you all should try it.
  4. [R29] Flow Free 4/5 · US So many levels: I love how many levels and variations there are! One thing I could do without is the ads.
  5. [R9] 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
  6. [R10] Flow Free 1/5 · US I hate this game lol: I never win anything in this game so I’m not even sure how to play this game anymore because I’m not even a fan of this game and it’s so hard to win anything else whoever made this can you please just make this game better and easier. Love ayva0618 P.s.can you make a new game that is about me and my friend who is Abisai
  7. [R15] Flow Free 3/5 · US Ads: Fun game but ad plays after every level. 75% time the ad close button opens safari. Ad won’t close!
  8. [R19] 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
  9. [R22] Flow Free 1/5 · US App stopped working: The game stopped loading for me today and I’m going to lose my daily streak :(
  10. [R28] 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.
  11. [R1] Flow Free 2/5 · US I hate ads: To many like way to many ads.
  12. [R3] Flow Free 3/5 · US LONG ADDS!!!!!: The adds last longer than the actual time I’m playing the game sometimes it feels
  13. [R4] Flow Free 1/5 · US Ads Galore: I first played this in 2nd grade and I enjoyed it. I installed this again. I’m in 8th grade and disappointed. This game has a plethora of ads. And these aren’t your typical ads. They last a MINUTE. Every two levels you get an ad. Super sad for a good game. Can’t our hints like, replenish the next day? That’d be better than having to suffer through a minute long ad. Edit: SOME OF THE
  14. [R6] Flow Free 3/5 · US so many ads: even for a free version
  15. [R43] 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
  16. [R7] 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!
  17. [R13] 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
  18. [R50] 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.
  19. [R88] Dot Knot 1/5 · US aggravating. Cannot get back to game and constant ads even when I paid for ad free: no good
  20. [R12] Flow Free 3/5 · US Too many ads: The game is fun but after every game you win, there’s an ad then you get to play another game then there’s an ad and another game and there’s another ad that’s ridiculous. That’s more stressful when you’re playing a game that’s supposed to be distressing you. I would imagine maybe after three games in a row you can have an ad but not after every game.
  21. [R18] Flow Free 3/5 · GB Too many ads!: Game is excellent. Been playing it for years. But the only way to actually enjoy it is to play without internet, otherwise it is just ads, ads and ads, almost every single level, and you can’t skip them right away…. Can’t really enjoy this game if you are connected to an internet connection due to insane amount of ads…. Would be a 5 star game otherwise…

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