Pretty Good Solitaire vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against Pretty Good Solitaire's closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

Core Identity
DeveloperGoodsol Development Inc.MobilityWareMicrosoft CorporationTripledot StudiosVita StudioKingSupertreatMattel163 Limited
CategoryGamesGamesGamesGamesGamesGamesGamesGames
PlatformiOSiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidAndroid, iOSiOS, Android
Store Metrics
Rating4.4 / 54.8 / 54.7 / 54.7 / 54.8 / 54.7 / 54.8 / 54.9 / 5
Ratings Count35136,529248,651864,175458,43545,768477,547209,611
PriceUSD9.99$4.99FreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFree
Release DateJul 16, 2013Feb 12, 2019Nov 23, 2016Dec 11, 2017Apr 25, 2023Dec 31, 2013Jun 21, 2017Oct 23, 2021
Last UpdatedNov 2, 2021May 18, 2020Apr 9, 2026May 19, 2026May 14, 2026Apr 21, 2026Apr 9, 2026Apr 22, 2026
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentimentmixedmixednegativepositivemixedmixedmixednegative
Score85/10045/10025/10085/10065/10035/10053/10035/100
Praises
  • Extensive variety of solitaire game variants provides high replay value for serious card enthusiasts
  • Fluid interface and intuitive card manipulation mechanics make gameplay feel natural on tablet screens
  • Core solitaire mechanics provide a relaxing and consistent daily habit for long-term players
  • Customization options for card backs and backgrounds allow for a personalized visual experience
  • Classic solitaire game modes provide consistent mental stimulation for daily players
  • Relaxing offline experience
  • Large card visuals and clear layout design assist seniors in maintaining focus during long play sessions
  • Core card-matching gameplay remains highly addictive and mentally stimulating for long-term players
  • Absence of forced advertisements provides a cleaner experience compared to competitor card games
  • Engaging Gameplay
  • Mental Stimulation
  • Core card game mechanics provide a familiar and engaging experience for long-time fans
  • Family-friendly social features allow for connection with distant friends and relatives
Complaints
  • Frequent application crashes and freezing behavior following the latest update disrupt the user experience
  • Visual regressions including smaller font sizes and lower resolution display quality on larger screens
  • Aggressive ad frequency post-update disrupts the flow of gameplay and degrades the user experience
  • Technical instability and performance regressions following the latest update cause crashes and connection errors
  • Excessive ad length and frequency disrupt the core gameplay experience post-update
  • Ad frequency
  • Aggressive advertisement frequency and deceptive exit buttons disrupt the flow of the game for many users
  • Frequent application crashes following the latest update prevent users from accessing their progress
  • Removal of social life-sharing features disrupts the community interaction loop for established players
  • Aggressive Monetization
  • Technical Ad Issues
  • Aggressive monetization and coin scarcity force players into unwanted in-app purchases
  • Bot-heavy matchmaking and rigged card distribution create an unfair competitive environment
Requests
  • Addition of a dedicated iPhone version to allow play across smaller mobile device form factors
  • Implementation of a right-handed control option to prevent arm fatigue during extended play sessions
  • Reliable cloud backup and restoration for player statistics and daily challenge streaks
  • Mute button requested to prevent forced audio playback during advertisement sequences
  • Meta-game features
  • One-time purchase option to permanently remove advertisements and support the developers without ongoing interruptions
  • Cloud-based progress synchronization is needed to prevent data loss during reinstallation or device changes
-
  • In-game chat functionality to enable direct communication with friends during matches
Strategic Intel
Strengths
  • 800-game library functions as a B2B distribution moat for serious enthusiasts
  • Cross-platform game-number parity sustains legacy desktop user migration
  • Established brand legacy with 100M+ players sustains organic install velocity
  • Refined classic gameplay mechanics set the industry standard for Klondike
  • Microsoft account integration creates high switching costs for multi-device users
  • Multi-game library expands total ad-inventory per session
  • Offline-first architecture sustains engagement in low-connectivity markets
  • High-frequency daily puzzles drive consistent daily active habit
  • Large-card accessibility design reduces friction for the senior demographic
  • Minimalist interface minimizes cognitive load for long-term retention
  • Established King brand equity provides a premium-feeling UI and animation set
  • Refined difficulty curve benefits from extensive casual puzzle design experience
  • Exclusive IP integrations (Popeye) driving seasonal interest
  • Tangible 'idle' harvest loop rewarding return sessions
  • Strong brand recognition with over 2.6M total ratings
  • Classic brand heritage (Mattel163) drives organic install velocity
  • Offline-first architecture captures users in low-connectivity regions
  • Established social-matchmaking loop sustains DAU
Weaknesses
  • Premium $9.99 price point creates a high barrier to entry
  • No native iPhone version restricts the addressable market to iPad users
  • Post-update stability regressions (crashes/freezing) erode the premium brand reputation
  • Aggressive ad-frequency post-update disrupts gameplay
  • Subscription status fails to remove ads as expected
  • 0.7★ Android-iOS rating gap
  • Premium subscription status fails to persist post-update
  • Ad duration reaches 60 seconds, disrupting core gameplay
  • Ad-only monetization model limits revenue per user
  • Lack of meta-progression causes churn among power users
  • Aggressive ad-frequency drives negative sentiment
  • Lack of one-time purchase option limits conversion
  • Frequent application crashes following the latest update
  • Removal of social life-sharing features
  • Aggressive monetization pressure at high levels
  • Aggressive coin-sink at high levels causing 'pay-to-win' perception
  • Technical instability in the ad-reward system (freezing)
  • Lack of social 'Clubs' or collaborative features
  • Aggressive coin scarcity (top complaint theme) drives churn
  • Perceived bot-rigged matchmaking erodes competitive trust
  • Excessive ad-load degrades session quality
Pricingpaidfreemiumfreemiumfreefreemiumfreemiumfreemiumfreemium
MomentumZombieMaintenanceActiveMaintenanceMaintenanceSteadyMaintenanceMaintenance
Update Cadence5 versions2 versions, 1 majors/6mo, ~2137d avg5 versions, 3 majors/6mo, ~20d avg5 versions, ~40d avg5 versions, ~10d avg4 versions, 4 majors/6mo, ~10d avg2 versions, ~1d avg5 versions, ~21d avg

Compare Pretty Good Solitaire head-to-head

Disclosure: Independent intel to help mobile builders succeed.

AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Pretty Good Solitaire, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

Data licensed under CC-BY-NC 4.0