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

Cookie Jam vs Candy Crush Saga

Cookie Jam 4.7★ · Free + IAP 60
Winner Candy Crush Saga
Candy Crush Saga 4.7★ · Free + IAP 65

Both Cookie Jam and Candy Crush Saga are popular match-3 games, but recent user reviews indicate that Candy Crush Saga has a slight edge due to fewer complaints about game-breaking ad issues and more consistent core gameplay, despite both suffering from excessive ads and monetization pushes.

Full reviews: Cookie Jam · Candy Crush Saga

Cookie Jam and Candy Crush Saga are both free-to-play match-3 puzzle games with in-app purchases. While both offer engaging gameplay, they are heavily criticized for intrusive ads and aggressive monetization tactics. Candy Crush Saga, despite its own issues, appears to have a more stable experience with fewer reports of ads freezing the game or causing loss of progress compared to Cookie Jam.

Head to head

Ads and Monetization tieR1R3R4R7
Cookie Jam Cookie Jam users are overwhelmingly frustrated by the recent increase in ads, describing them as 'obnoxious,' 'long,' and 'freezing,' often leading to lost progress or bonuses R1R3R4R7. Some long-time players note that the game used to be ad-free or had fewer ads R16.
Candy Crush Saga Candy Crush Saga players also complain about 'constant pop-up ads,' 'long and stupid ads,' and 'abusive ads' that can freeze the game or be difficult to close R63R66. There are also complaints about the game pushing microtransactions and paywalls R63R64R82.
Gameplay and Features tieR2R5R8R11
Cookie Jam Cookie Jam players enjoy the game for being fun, relaxing, and challenging R2R5R8R11. However, many express disappointment with recent changes, such as the booster wheel offering fewer useful items R9R10, the removal of options for extra moves via ads , and a perceived lack of creativity in new levels, with some suspecting AI generation . Some find levels too difficult with too few moves R4.
Candy Crush Saga Candy Crush Saga is praised for being fun, addictive, challenging, and a good time consumer . Players appreciate features like the jelly fish . However, many complain about levels becoming 'impossible' in later stages without buying power-ups R64R82, and some feel the game is 'fixed' to encourage spending . Recent updates have removed bonus plays after watching ads and the option to choose certain events .
Reliability and Performance edge: Candy Crush SagaR7R15R31R51
Cookie Jam Cookie Jam users report frequent issues with ads freezing the game, causing them to lose progress or bonuses R7R15R31R51. The app also experiences general freezing, not working on devices, or being unable to open . Some note it's a 'major battery drain' and makes phones hot R31.
Candy Crush Saga Candy Crush Saga players also experience app freezes, often when about to win, leading to lost levels or power-ups . Ads are also reported to freeze and prevent users from exiting . There are complaints about the game crashing and issues with landscape mode on iPad Pro .
User Experience and Support tieR4R9R10R16
Cookie Jam Cookie Jam players express frustration with the overall decline in user experience due to excessive ads and changes to rewards R4R9R10R16. Some report being stuck on levels and unable to get support .
Candy Crush Saga Candy Crush Saga users find the constant pop-ups and layers of add-ons between levels make the game a 'burden' and 'annoying' . Some report issues with rewards not being received and dissatisfaction with recent updates changing game mechanics .
Pick Cookie Jam if

you are a long-time Cookie Jam player who enjoys the core gameplay and is willing to tolerate frequent ads and recent changes to rewards, or if you find its specific theme more appealing R2.

Pick Candy Crush Saga if

you prefer a more established match-3 game with a massive player base, and are slightly more tolerant of pop-ups than game-breaking ad freezes, or if you are looking for a game that offers consistent challenge .

Evidence note: Both apps are free-to-play with in-app purchases, and the negative reviews for both are heavily skewed towards complaints about excessive ads and aggressive monetization, which is common for this model. The lifetime ratings are very similar, but recent reviews highlight a decline in user experience for both, particularly regarding ads and perceived 'pay-to-win' mechanics.

Frequently asked

Are Cookie Jam and Candy Crush Saga free to play?
Yes, both Cookie Jam and Candy Crush Saga are free to download and play, but they both include in-app purchases and are heavily criticized for frequent and intrusive advertisements R1R3R63R66.
Which game has more ads?
Both games are heavily criticized for having too many ads, with users of Cookie Jam describing them as 'obnoxious' and 'long' R31 and Candy Crush Saga players complaining about 'constant pop-up ads' . While both are problematic, Cookie Jam has more explicit complaints about ads freezing the game and causing loss of progress R7R15R31R51.
Do these games require purchases to win?
Many users of both games feel that later levels become 'impossible' to win without making in-app purchases for extra moves or power-ups R4R43R64R82.

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] Cookie Jam 1/5 · US Ads: Always an ad every time makes you not even want to play the game at all!
  2. [R3] Cookie Jam 3/5 · US Soso: Too much ad
  3. [R4] Cookie Jam 1/5 · US Joke: If you like watching ads, this game is for you! Very few moves to complete level so have to watch ads to get more moves. Then the computer makes most of the moves for you. Very little choice. In addition, you have no control over the free spin you get . This game has become very disappointing. Used to be fun.
  4. [R7] Cookie Jam 1/5 · US ADs SUCK: Waaayyyy too many ADS! So tired of adds freezing and making me lose rainbow cake, place in a game etc. kalshi, monopoly and some slot add are the worst!!
  5. [R2] Cookie Jam 5/5 · US Longtime Player: I play every morning. It’s fun and relaxing
  6. [R5] Cookie Jam 5/5 · US Great game: Love to play
  7. [R8] Cookie Jam 5/5 · US Cookie Jam: I love this game
  8. [R11] Cookie Jam 5/5 · US Cookie Jam: I love this game and can play for hours
  9. [R15] Cookie Jam 3/5 · US Cookie Jam: Started getting ads more frequently. Just want to enjoy playing without all the ads. Also, the ads for extra moves get stuck and can’t get out of them
  10. [R31] Cookie Jam 1/5 · US Obnoxious ads: This game keeps getting worse and worse! Ads are OBNOXIOUS & looong! Getting too old to waste time watching ridiculously long and annoying ads! AND - often, it’s impossible to exit from these ads, and end up losing streak and progress. Also, this so called ‘game’ is a major battery drain, making my phone get really hot. It’s more annoying than fun on so many levels to play anymo
  11. [R51] Cookie Jam 3/5 · GB Glitch: Not too sure what’s happened recently but when watching ads, you not only have to watch the ad, you have to click on it to be taken to a website to get a reward. Most annoying. I’m on level 12,726 so I’m not a newby. Getting to the point that I don’t want to play the game any more
  12. [R9] Cookie Jam 3/5 · US Use to be a lot of fun: They have suddenly changed the booster wheel to where you don’t get many of the boosters. You get mostly 15 min. Of something or another. Not as much fun. Don’t think I will keep it much longer
  13. [R10] Cookie Jam 1/5 · US “Free Spins”: I rarely play anymore since the daily spin changed. It’s just not fun anymore when I only get 5 - 15 minutes with something instead of a tool or coins, something I actually want. I know that probably doesn’t make sense but I just close the game after I spin now. It’s just not fun anymore.
  14. [R16] Cookie Jam 2/5 · US ShinyBee: This game USED to be my absolute fav - fun and NO ADS. But now they have mandatory ads and I won’t play it anymore. I’m so sick of being subjected to stupid ads. Cookie Jam - DO BETTER!
  15. [R63] Candy Crush Saga 3/5 · US El stinky but good.: Very nice character design , good to pass time, but I will always hate the constant push for micro transactions and paywalls- “watch an ad to replay!” Its annoying it’s a shame that candy crush has succumbed to this level too
  16. [R66] Candy Crush Saga 3/5 · US Too many ads: Said it all in the title
  17. [R43] Cookie Jam 1/5 · US Bs: This game is shameless. You hook people and they seriously can’t win unless they buy extras!!!!
  18. [R64] Candy Crush Saga 1/5 · US Scam: Game is a literal scam. When you get into the later levels (200s) they literally make it impossible to win by giving you a very small amount of turns and you can’t beat the level without using power ups and the sort. With that comes YOU spending money to either have enough gold for more turns or just buying a power up pack. Absolute scam.
  19. [R82] Candy Crush Saga 1/5 · US Level 18587 BORING AND STUPID: IMPOSSIBLE even with full boosts. I have played it dozens of times and can’t pass. THEY ARE FORCING YOU TO PURCHASE TO PLAY. SAD AND PATHETIC GAME. DONT WASTE YOUR TIME. 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

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