Official + community Each table cell carries its own evidence label; nothing is presented as fact without a source.
Bloons TD 4 vs 5 vs 6 — Which Should You Play?
Three generations of the same tower-defense series, three different answers to "which one is for me?" The table compares only facts we could verify on official store pages — nothing invented.
The comparison
| Bloons TD 4 | Bloons TD 5 | Bloons TD 6 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First release | 2009 community | 2012 (iOS App Store) official | 2018 (Steam) official |
| Visual style | 2D classic Flash-era community | 2D (retina graphics) official | 3D official |
| Free official channel | Yes — Ninja Kiwi Archive (web + Steam) official | Not verified — see caveat needs-verification | No — paid game official |
| Paid channel | iOS app $2.99 official | iOS app $2.99 official | Steam (paid, see store) official |
| Standalone Steam page | No — included in the free Ninja Kiwi Archive on Steam official | Yes (App 306020) official | Yes (App 960090) official |
| Still updated? | iOS last updated 2017 (v3.6.2) official | Yes — iOS updated 2026-08 (v4.8) official | Yes — regular major updates official |
| Content scale (official descriptions) | 75 rounds per track, 25 tracks (iOS) official | 90+ tracks, 21 towers, co-op (iOS) official | 70+ maps, 25 towers, 17 heroes, co-op (Steam) official |
| Player reception (official store data) | — community | iOS 4.8/5 (98k ratings) official | Steam 97% positive (229k English reviews) official |
Which one should you play?
- Want it free and classic? Bloons TD 4 — the official free channel is the Ninja Kiwi Archive on web and Steam. Start at the where-to-play page. (our recommendation)
- Want the 2D series with more modern content? Bloons TD 5 — bigger tower count and co-op, still being updated in 2026. It costs $2.99 on iOS.
- Want the current flagship? Bloons TD 6 — 3D, heroes, co-op and regular updates, paid on Steam.
The recommendation is our editorial view, not Ninja Kiwi guidance. Bloons TD 5's free-channel status is unverified; if a free official route exists it is not yet confirmed here.
Sources
- Bloons TD 6 — Steam store page: store.steampowered.com/app/960090
- Bloons TD 5 — Apple App Store: apps.apple.com/us/app/bloons-td-5/id563718995
- Bloons TD 4 — all channels and sources: the where-to-play page
- Still deciding? See our source-checked verdict: is Bloons TD 4 good in 2026?
Bloons and related marks are trademarks of Ninja Kiwi Limited. This page is part of Balloon TD Guides, an independent fan reference; external links go to official stores only. Facts checked against official sources.