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

Cookie Jam vs Candy Crush Soda Saga

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

Cookie Jam is slightly better for casual players due to less severe complaints about forced purchases, while Candy Crush Soda Saga's recent updates have made it more frustrating for long-time players.

Full reviews: Cookie Jam · Candy Crush Soda Saga

Both Cookie Jam and Candy Crush Soda Saga are free-to-play match-3 games with in-app purchases, but recent updates have introduced significant user frustration. Cookie Jam struggles with an overwhelming number of ads and changes to its reward system, while Candy Crush Soda Saga faces criticism for reducing moves per level, making progression difficult without payment.

Head to head

Ads and Monetization tieR1R3R4R7
Cookie Jam Cookie Jam users are overwhelmingly frustrated by the recent increase in ads, which are described as frequent, long, and often unskippable or freezing the game R1R3R4R7. Some users report losing bonuses or progress due to ads freezing or being unable to exit them R7R31. There are also complaints about the game becoming 'money hungry' and forcing purchases .
Candy Crush Soda Saga Candy Crush Soda Saga players also report an increase in ads, with some finding them overbearing and causing frustration . Similar to Cookie Jam, users experience ads freezing or crashing, preventing them from returning to the game or claiming rewards . Many users feel the game has become 'pay to play' due to reduced moves per level, making it impossible to progress without buying boosters R61R67R74R76.
Gameplay and Difficulty edge: Candy Crush Soda SagaR4R9R10R14
Cookie Jam Cookie Jam players express disappointment with recent changes to the game's mechanics, such as fewer moves per level R4, making it harder to win without extra purchases. The daily spin and booster wheel have been altered to give less desirable rewards, like short time bonuses instead of tools or coins R9R10R14. Some users feel the game has lost its original charm and creativity, with repetitive levels and a perceived use of AI for new content .
Candy Crush Soda Saga Candy Crush Soda Saga users report a significant increase in difficulty due to recent updates, specifically the reduction of moves per level R61R67R76. This change makes levels nearly impossible to beat without buying extra moves or boosters R74. Some players feel the game is designed to frustrate them into purchasing . There are also complaints about specific broken levels and repetitive gameplay .
Reliability and Support tieR7R15R27R30
Cookie Jam Cookie Jam users report various technical issues, including the game freezing R7R15R31, not opening or loading correctly R27, and losing purchased items . Some users mention being stuck on levels or unable to access support R30.
Candy Crush Soda Saga Candy Crush Soda Saga also has reliability issues, with reports of the game freezing , ads crashing , and levels getting stuck . A significant concern is the game starting over from level one for long-time players and issues with streaks being lost . There are also complaints about the game requiring Wi-Fi for offline play after an update and difficulties finding support .
Overall User Experience edge: Cookie JamR2R5R8R11
Cookie Jam Despite recent negative changes, many Cookie Jam players still express love for the game, finding it fun, relaxing, challenging, and therapeutic R2R5R8R11. Long-time players appreciate the free gifts and variety, though some lament the loss of older features and the overall decline in enjoyment due to ads and difficulty .
Candy Crush Soda Saga Candy Crush Soda Saga has a loyal player base who find it addicting, fun, and a good way to relax or clear their head . However, recent updates have significantly diminished the enjoyment for many, turning it into a frustrating experience that forces them to consider quitting R67R74R76.
Pick Cookie Jam if

You are looking for a match-3 game that many users still find relaxing and enjoyable despite recent changes to ads and rewards R2R11. You don't mind a higher frequency of ads as much as increased difficulty that forces purchases R1R3R4R7.

Pick Candy Crush Soda Saga if

You are a long-time fan of the Candy Crush series and prefer its specific gameplay mechanics, even if recent updates have made it more challenging and frustrating . You are willing to contend with increased difficulty and potential pressure to make in-app purchases R61R67R74R76.

Evidence note: Both apps have a free-to-play model with in-app purchases. Many negative reviews for both apps stem from recent updates that increased ads and/or difficulty, pushing users towards IAPs. This creates friction for non-paying users, while satisfied paying users are less likely to leave detailed reviews.

Frequently asked

Are there too many ads in Cookie Jam?
Yes, many Cookie Jam users report a significant increase in ads, describing them as frequent, long, and often freezing the game or preventing exit, which detracts from the overall enjoyment R1R3R4R7.
Has Candy Crush Soda Saga become harder to play without paying?
Yes, many Candy Crush Soda Saga players report that recent updates have drastically reduced the number of moves per level (often to 15 moves), making it nearly impossible to pass levels without purchasing extra moves or boosters R61R67R74R76.
Do either of these games have technical issues?
Both games have reported technical issues; Cookie Jam users experience freezing, inability to open the app, and lost items R7R15R27R31, while Candy Crush Soda Saga users report freezing, ads crashing, levels getting stuck, and losing progress streaks .

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. [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
  6. [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.
  7. [R14] Cookie Jam 4/5 · US Change the daily prize: Great variety.having 24 hours everyday is not good or fun. Nobody plays for 24 hours straight. Change it back to a variety of gifts. Or don’t give lives as prizes of other inside games.
  8. [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
  9. [R27] Cookie Jam 3/5 · US Broke: The game is not working on my iPhone. I deleted it and reinstalled it. I cannot tap or open anything.
  10. [R30] Cookie Jam 3/5 · US Would have given: I would have given this app of five, but I am stuck on 181 level and I can’t go any further I tried getting support but I can’t get that either. I can’t click on anything. I can’t collect anything.
  11. [R2] Cookie Jam 5/5 · US Longtime Player: I play every morning. It’s fun and relaxing
  12. [R5] Cookie Jam 5/5 · US Great game: Love to play
  13. [R8] Cookie Jam 5/5 · US Cookie Jam: I love this game
  14. [R11] Cookie Jam 5/5 · US Cookie Jam: I love this game and can play for hours
  15. [R61] Candy Crush Soda Saga 2/5 · US Yo: What happen to the moves now y’all giving 15 moves knowing good well it’s not enough
  16. [R67] Candy Crush Soda Saga 1/5 · US New update sucks!: I have been a lover of candy soda crush since 2013 but this new update sucks! You only get only a few moves now per game which is practically impossible to pass the level making it extremely difficult and frustrating with no free daily boosters like before. I guess its time I retire from a long yrs of playing this game and look somewhere else :(
  17. [R74] Candy Crush Soda Saga 4/5 · US HAD TO DELETE…: Notified these people that level 2995 is not playable since they cut moves in half and spinners don’t give out enough bottles and the ONLY WAY TO BEAT IT IS TO PAY…are they really that hard up for money that they feel the need to do this.??? I wonder…but I won’t be forced to do so!!! Otherwise it’s a good game just greedy I guess…
  18. [R76] Candy Crush Soda Saga 1/5 · US Less moves: I stepped away from playing the game and came back to a bad update. The moves to finish the level have been cut down to 15 and it’s impossible to pass a level without buying more moves. At this point I will use you what I have and delete the game.
  19. [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

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