Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Candy Crush Soda Saga vs Cookie Jam

Candy Crush Soda Saga 4.7★ · Free + IAP 65
Winner Cookie Jam
Cookie Jam 4.7★ · Free + IAP 70

Cookie Jam has a slight edge over Candy Crush Soda Saga due to fewer reports of game-breaking bugs and slightly less aggressive monetization, though both suffer from excessive ads and difficulty spikes.

Full reviews: Candy Crush Soda Saga · Cookie Jam

Both Candy Crush Soda Saga and Cookie Jam are free-to-play match-3 games with in-app purchases, offering similar core gameplay. While both are praised for being fun and relaxing, recent updates for both apps have led to significant user frustration due to increased ads, reduced moves per level, and perceived pressure to pay for progression.

Head to head

Features and Gameplay tieR1R2R7R9
Candy Crush Soda Saga Candy Crush Soda Saga offers special candies like color bombs, gummy fish, and wrap candy which users find useful R2. However, recent updates have reduced the number of moves per level, making it extremely difficult and frustrating to pass levels without buying more moves R1R7R19. Some players also report issues with specific levels being broken R9R15 or the game getting stuck . There are also complaints about the removal of features like daily boosters R7 and second chances R12, and changes to the scoring system .
Cookie Jam Cookie Jam is described as fun and relaxing by many long-time players . However, recent changes have made the game less enjoyable, with users reporting fewer moves per level and a change in the booster wheel to offer less desirable rewards . Some players miss older features like collecting candies for free prizes and the original islands and weekend airships . There are also concerns about a lack of creativity in newer levels, with repetitive puzzles .
Ease of Use and Reliability tieR3R6R28R33
Candy Crush Soda Saga Users frequently report issues with Candy Crush Soda Saga freezing , ads crashing or freezing R33, and the game not loading or requiring Wi-Fi when it previously didn't R28. Some players experience their game progress being reset R39 or streaks being incorrectly lost R3R46. The Game Center Overlay is also cited as annoying and persistent R6.
Cookie Jam Cookie Jam also has reliability issues, with users reporting the game freezing , not opening , or not working on their device . Ads frequently get stuck, preventing users from returning to the game or claiming rewards R67. Some users also report losing in-game items or winnings due to glitches R82.
Price/Value & Monetization tieR4R14R19R22
Candy Crush Soda Saga Candy Crush Soda Saga is heavily criticized for becoming a 'pay to play' game, with many users feeling forced to purchase extra moves or boosters to pass levels R14R19R22R25. Ads are prevalent and intrusive, often freezing or preventing players from returning to the game R4R27R33. Players feel the game is designed to make them lose streaks and buy items R46.
Cookie Jam Cookie Jam is also heavily criticized for its increase in ads, which are now mandatory and appear frequently, even after winning a level R61R67. These ads are often described as long, obnoxious, and difficult to exit, leading to lost bonuses or progress R67. Users also feel the game is designed to make them buy extras and is stingy with rewards .
Support and Updates tieR7R12R13R15
Candy Crush Soda Saga Users report difficulty finding support or sending support tickets for Candy Crush Soda Saga R15. There are complaints about creators ignoring problems and scam ads R13. Updates are frequently cited as the cause of new issues, such as reduced moves R7, loss of features R12, game freezing , and changes in graphics . Some updates also introduce frustrating new elements or break existing activities .
Cookie Jam Cookie Jam users also struggle to get support, with one user unable to click on anything or collect items after getting stuck . Updates are a major source of frustration, with players noting changes to the booster wheel , the removal of the option to watch ads for extra moves , and the introduction of more ads . There are also concerns about the use of AI for new island levels, leading to a loss of creativity .
Pick Candy Crush Soda Saga if

You prefer a game with vibrant graphics and sounds, and are willing to tolerate frequent ads and difficulty spikes that may push you towards in-app purchases .

Pick Cookie Jam if

You are looking for a match-3 game that can be relaxing and therapeutic, and you are less concerned about repetitive level designs in later stages .

Evidence note: Both apps have a high lifetime rating, but recent reviews for both are heavily skewed negative, primarily due to increased ad frequency and difficulty designed to encourage in-app purchases. The free-to-play nature means many negative reviews stem from friction experienced by non-paying users.

Frequently asked

Are these games truly free to play?
Both Candy Crush Soda Saga and Cookie Jam are free to download and play, but users widely report that recent updates have made levels extremely difficult, often requiring in-app purchases for extra moves or boosters to progress R14R25R43R55.
Do these games have a lot of ads?
Yes, both games have a significant and increasing number of ads, which many users find intrusive, long, and often prone to freezing, preventing them from returning to gameplay or claiming rewards R27R58R61R67.
Are there issues with game progress or streaks?
Users of Candy Crush Soda Saga report issues with streaks being incorrectly lost R3R46 and game progress being reset R39. Cookie Jam users also mention losing winnings or bonuses due to glitches and ads R82.

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] 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
  2. [R2] Candy Crush Soda Saga 4/5 · US I like it: Sometimes I get struggling but the color bomb is useful even combined gummy fish and wrap candy
  3. [R7] 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 :(
  4. [R9] Candy Crush Soda Saga 3/5 · US 5735 is broken: Please fix level 5735, the last bear goes the wrong direction
  5. [R3] Candy Crush Soda Saga 3/5 · US STOP TAKING MY STREAKS: I play Candy Crush Soda saga multiple times a day. Even on a busy day I make a point of playing the game for a minute or two just keep up my streak. It never fails that just out of the blue it tells me I skipped a day. I make sure the time is evenly spaced out so there’s no gap. I’m tired of you taking away my progress.
  6. [R6] Candy Crush Soda Saga 3/5 · US Game Center Overlay is a nightmare: The affiliation with Game Center Overlay is so annoying. I am signed out, yet it still goes ON.. I TURN IT OFF AND UT RETURNS. MEANWHILE, STILL SIGNED OUT.
  7. [R28] Candy Crush Soda Saga 1/5 · US Screw this update!: When I tried to play levels offline, it now requires Wi-Fi to load the levels. I hate this! It’s unplayable offline! Screw this update! Revert this update IMMEDIATELY!!!!
  8. [R33] Candy Crush Soda Saga 3/5 · US Failing ads: Fix your ads! They keep crashing/freezing so you can’t get any rewards
  9. [R4] Candy Crush Soda Saga 1/5 · US No longer Fun: It has become more frustrating than fun. Does not matter how many ads watched!
  10. [R14] 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…
  11. [R19] Candy Crush Soda Saga 1/5 · US Moves Per Level: 15 moves for a Level is insane.. Seems like a way to get you to purchase more bars to compete the level. SMH
  12. [R22] Candy Crush Soda Saga 1/5 · US I will stop playing.: They have made the levels impossible to beat with the amount of moves. It forces you to buy more. I’ll miss playing.
  13. [R12] Candy Crush Soda Saga 3/5 · US Second chance: What happened to the second chances? Every time there is an update we lose them lost again
  14. [R13] Candy Crush Soda Saga 1/5 · US Scammers game: This game has lots of scam ads and when you report it or any problems the creators of this game ignore you. Plus many on here are fake accounts
  15. [R15] Candy Crush Soda Saga 3/5 · US Level 5735 doesn’t work: Level 5735 is broken. I would send a support ticket but, if there’s a way to do that, I can’t find it. Overall, I really like this game and enjoy playing it. A better support system would be beneficial. I would rate it 5 stars except for lack of game support.
  16. [R25] Candy Crush Soda Saga 2/5 · US Ridiculous: This game is a favorite time passer of mine and I am upset that some levels take days of playing to pass. Level 2000 has 17 moves and it’s absolutely impossible to beat. I want a free game to be that way. I shouldn’t have to pay to continue playing.
  17. [R43] Candy Crush Soda Saga 1/5 · US Pay to play: I’ve played this game for years and I’m on level 19,000. I am really disappointed that I can’t get past a level without having to pay. I can no longer enjoy this game anymore. You shouldn’t have to pay this much money to play a game. Long time player is done with this game
  18. [R55] Candy Crush Soda Saga 1/5 · US Level 6241 FRUSTRATING SAD AND PATHETIC: BORING AND STUPID. CANT EVEN COME CLOSE TO PASSING THESE IMPOSSIBLE LEVELS EVEN WITH COMPLETE BOOSTS. DONT WASTE YOUR TIME THEY NOW MADE THE GAME THIS WAY TO FORCE YOU INTO PURCHASING TO PLAY. SHAMEFUL 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻
  19. [R27] Candy Crush Soda Saga 3/5 · US Forgot all about my game: I forgot all about my game. I was able to start back where I left off years ago. Now there’s way tooooo many ADS in this game. There weren’t any when it first came out now it’s over run with ADS. Not sure if I’ll keep playing this like I was before the ADS. Bummer
  20. [R58] Candy Crush Soda Saga 2/5 · US Ads: I like the game but STOP WITH THE ADS. I’ve made it to level 9000 and am getting tired of all the ads, they just get more and more. I will most likely return to this game when my grandson wants to play.
  21. [R61] Cookie Jam 1/5 · US Ads: Always an ad every time makes you not even want to play the game at all!
  22. [R67] 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!!
  23. [R39] Candy Crush Soda Saga 3/5 · US Game started over at one: I don’t know why, but when I went to play my game, it started it number one and I’ve been playing this game for years so I don’t know how to get it back 😢
  24. [R46] Candy Crush Soda Saga 2/5 · US Boring: I’ve been playing this game every day for half a year and I finally ended my streak because the game is just so boring, and I think some levels are setting the player up to lose winning streaks, and get the player to buy gold bars and other items. Sometimes after watching an ad, everything freezes and I lose a winning streak. Some levels only give you 15 moves when you are supposed to ge
  25. [R82] Cookie Jam 1/5 · US Awful: Awful they keep taking away your winnings

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