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Head-to-head · Free iPad Games

Plants vs. Zombies 2 vs Hearthstone

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Plants vs. Zombies 2 #2 in Free iPad Games 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit site
Hearthstone #4 in Free iPad Games 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Hearthstone

Plants vs. Zombies 2 leads on 1 check, Hearthstone on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePlants vs. Zombies 2 · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresPlants vs. Zombies 2 · 2 of 4

Plants vs. Zombies 2 scores higher on our rubric for free ipad games: 9.3 against 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

Plants vs. Zombies 2 offers offline play; Hearthstone doesn't publish it.

Plants vs. Zombies 2 is the better fit for tower-defense strategy with plenty to explore. Hearthstone is the better fit for card-game variety and cross-device progression.

  • Plants vs. Zombies 2 fits best

    Tower-defense strategy with plenty to explore

  • Hearthstone fits best

    Card-game variety and cross-device progression

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Plants vs. Zombies 2 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Hearthstone 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 9.1
Ranking #2 in Free iPad Games #4 in Free iPad Games
Best for Tower-defense strategy with plenty to explore Card-game variety and cross-device progression
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Android, iOS Android, Windows, macOS, iOS
Support Email Email
Built for Solo Solo
Features Plants vs. Zombies 2 2/4 · Hearthstone 1/4
In-app purchases Not published Not published
Multiplayer ✓ ✓
Offline play ✓ (best) Not published
Controller support Not published Not published
Specs
Genre Not published Not published
Minimum iPadOS Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Campaign spans 11 worlds and more than 300 levels.
  • Seed Packets upgrade plant attacks, defenses, speed, and abilities.
  • Includes Arena, endless zones, mini-games, quests, and daily events.
  • Offers ranked duels, Arena drafting, Battlegrounds and rotating Tavern Brawls
  • Includes solo adventures and quests alongside online PvP
  • Syncs collections and progress across mobile and PC with a Battle.net account
Cons
  • Ads and in-app purchases are part of the free-to-play model.
  • Some features may require Wi-Fi despite offline play support.
  • Arena competition and other modes may not suit solo-only players.
  • Optional in-game purchases mean free-to-play does not mean purchase-free
  • Cross-device collection and progress sync requires a Battle.net account
  • Email is the listed support channel
Our verdict

Plants vs. Zombies 2 is a free-to-play tower-defense game from Electronic Arts for iOS and Android. Players deploy plant units to defend against zombie waves, then collect and upgrade plants as they progress. Its campaign travels across 11…

Read the review →

Hearthstone is a free-to-play collectible strategy card game from Blizzard Entertainment for players who want to build decks and choose among competitive and solo modes. It is available on Android, iOS, Windows and macOS. Players collect…

Read the review →
  1. Plants vs. Zombies 2Free iPad Games 9.3Free plan
  2. HearthstoneFree iPad Games 9.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Plants vs. Zombies 2 — where it wins

    • Campaign spans 11 worlds and more than 300 levels.
    • Seed Packets upgrade plant attacks, defenses, speed, and abilities.
    • Includes Arena, endless zones, mini-games, quests, and daily events.

    Where it doesn't

    • Ads and in-app purchases are part of the free-to-play model.
    • Some features may require Wi-Fi despite offline play support.
    • Arena competition and other modes may not suit solo-only players.

  • Hearthstone — where it wins

    • Offers ranked duels, Arena drafting, Battlegrounds and rotating Tavern Brawls
    • Includes solo adventures and quests alongside online PvP
    • Syncs collections and progress across mobile and PC with a Battle.net account

    Where it doesn't

    • Optional in-game purchases mean free-to-play does not mean purchase-free
    • Cross-device collection and progress sync requires a Battle.net account
    • Email is the listed support channel
  • Plants vs. Zombies 29.3/10 · Free plan

    A free tower-defense campaign with extensive levels, upgrades, events, and competitive play.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • Hearthstone9.1/10 · Free plan

    A free-to-play card game with PvP, solo modes, Battlegrounds and synced progress.

    Visit HearthstoneFull verdict →

More comparisons

All free ipad games comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update