Last updated 2mo ago

ZeptoLab UK

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Report updated Apr 19, 2026

Cut the Rope GOLD

For casual gamers and nostalgic fans of physics-based puzzles who enjoy character-led experiences.

ByZeptoLab UK

★4.5(3M+)GamesEntertainment

What is Cut the Rope GOLD?

Cut the Rope GOLD is a classic physics-puzzle game centered on the Om Nom IP. It currently maintains a strong nostalgic presence but is struggling with a declining sentiment trend due to aggressive monetization. While it holds a top 100 paid ranking in the US, the user experience is heavily impacted by high ad frequency and a perceived high cost for ad removal.

Current Momentum

v3.10 · 2mo ago

Maintenance

Cut the Rope GOLD is currently in maintenance mode, with the last update consisting of minor character-related tweaks.

Active Nemesis

Angry Birds 2

By Rovio Entertainment Oyj

Other Rivals

7-Day Rank Pulse 🇺🇸

Casual

#50

▲44

Games EntertainmentPaid

Rating Pulse 🇺🇸

Overall

Latest

Recent User Mood

What makes this app unique?

What Does It Look Like?

Explore the full version history

Every tracked release and changelog, plus how the app's momentum has shifted over time.

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What Are The Key Features?

Physics-based Puzzle MechanicsDifferentiator

Intricate, logic-driven puzzles centered on cutting ropes to deliver candy.

Themed Level BoxesStandard

Hundreds of levels organized into distinct boxes with unique visual styles.

Character-driven NarrativeDifferentiator

Integration with Om Nom character lore and animation shorts.

How much does it cost?

Freemium

$1.99 Paid (iOS)
Free with Ad-Support (Android)
$10 Ad-Removal IAP

The app uses a hybrid strategy but faces severe backlash for its $10 ad-removal price point, which users contrast negatively with the game's original premium value.

Who Built It?

ZeptoLab UK

★★★★★

(13.7M)

Creating tactile, character-driven physics puzzles that leverage the iconic Om Nom brand to engage casual gamers across generations.

Portfolio

Apps

Free 12

Games100%

What other apps does ZeptoLab UK make?

Cut the Rope: Physics Puzzle

Games·★4.5(2.7M)

View Intel →

Bullet Echo: PVP Shooter

Downhill Smash

Om Nom: Run

Cut the Rope: Experiments

Games·★3.8(511.6K)

View Intel →

Cut the Rope: Time Travel

Games·★4.6(1.1M)

View Intel →

Explore the full ZeptoLab UK report

Portfolio breakdown, audience, momentum, and every app published by ZeptoLab UK.

Go deeper

What do users think recently?

High confidence · Latest 100 of 2.7M total reviews analyzed

How did the latest release land?

Overall

4.5/ 5

★★★★★★

(2.7M)

Current version

4.8/ 5

+0.4 vs overall

★★★★★

(2K)

Main signal post-update: nostalgia and Classic Appeal.

What is the recent mood?

Excited

Recent user voice shows a excited sentiment. Users appreciate nostalgia and classic appeal, but report excessive ad frequency and aggressive monetization.

What Users Love

Nostalgia and Classic Appeal

What Frustrates Users

Excessive Ad Frequency

Aggressive Monetization

View the full user-sentiment analysis

Mood gauge, ratings & review-volume history, every praise / complaint / request, and sentiment over time.

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What is the competitive landscape for Cut the Rope GOLD?

How's The Games Market?

How does it evolve in the Games market?

Rank progression

185 active rankings tracked — 30-day window

The rivals identified

The outtake for Cut the Rope GOLD

Strengths to defend, gaps to attack

Core Strengths

Strong Om Nom character IP
Polished, tactile physics mechanics
High brand nostalgia and recognition

Critical Frictions

Excessive ad density (ads every 2 levels)
Outdated iOS version (last updated 2018)
High friction $10 ad-removal price

Growth Levers

Live-ops integration (Daily Challenges)
Social features (Clans/Leaderboards)
Subscription-based ad-free tier

Market Threats

Angry Birds 2's superior retention loops
Hyper-casual physics games with lower friction
Brand equity erosion from aggressive monetization

What are the next best moves?

high

Reduce ad frequency to a maximum of one per 5 levels.

Users report ads every 2 plays, with 60% of playtime spent on ads, driving a 'declining' sentiment trend.

high

Re-evaluate the $10 ad-removal price point.

Multiple reviews label the $10 price as 'sinful' and 'exploitative,' leading to churn of nostalgic fans.

medium

Synchronize the iOS version with the 2026 Android build.

The iOS version has not been updated since 2018, creating a massive maintenance gap and technical debt.

Feature Gaps vs Competitors

Live-ops/Daily challenges (Angry Birds 2)
Social features/Clans (Angry Birds 2)
Character progression/RPG-lite meta (Angry Birds 2)
Fluid simulation mechanics (Where's My Water? 2)

Key Takeaways

ZeptoLab is over-monetizing a legacy asset at the cost of its brand equity. While the core physics and IP remain world-class, the PM must urgently rebalance the ad-load and pricing to prevent the total churn of its nostalgic user base to more modern competitors like Angry Birds 2.

Where Is It Heading?

Declining

Frustrated user base citing 'unplayable' ad frequency and $10 removal fees.

Active Android maintenance (Feb 2026) shows ongoing investment in the platform.

iOS version hasn't been updated in 7+ years, indicating a fragmented product strategy.

FAQ

Is Cut the Rope GOLD still worth playing in 2026?

Yes, for fans of the original. Users report it 'keeps the classic feel' and remains a 'memorable experience.' However, be prepared for high ad frequency in the free version, which some users report takes up to 60% of playtime.

How does Cut the Rope compare to Angry Birds 2?

Cut the Rope focuses on pure logic and rope-cutting physics. Angry Birds 2 offers a more action-oriented experience with social features like clans, leaderboards, and a character-leveling system that Cut the Rope currently lacks.

Does the paid version of Cut the Rope still have ads?

Reviews are mixed. While the iOS version is a $1.99 premium app, Android users report being asked for an additional $10 to remove ads, which many find excessive for a 'GOLD' branded product.

What are the best free alternatives to Cut the Rope?

For similar physics-based challenges, consider 'Love Balls' or 'Happy Glass Color.' Both use drawing-based physics mechanics and are free to play, though they lack the polished character IP of Om Nom.