# Upwords - Fun with Words! — Play Friends and Family!

> 3D crossword game where players stack letters to change words and score points. (iPhone/iPad app by Lonely Star Software, Inc..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/upwords-fun-with-words/id588252565 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Lonely Star Software, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284572331)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Board, Word
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 9,329 App Store ratings · 517 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 51 MB
- Languages: American English, European Spanish
- Released: 2013-01-11
- Data updated: 2026-11-03
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/upwords-fun-with-words/id588252565/reviews.md

## What is Upwords?

UPWORDS – The Stacking Word Game!

UPWORDS is the classic 3D crossword game where you don’t just play words… you change them! Stack letters on top of existing words to transform them into new words. Score more points the higher you stack, and outsmart your opponents.

Why you’ll love it:

  - Fun, fast, and endlessly repayable
  - Play with friends around the world or challenge random opponents
  - Join a Tournament! 
  - Test yourself against the Computer (4 skill levels)
  - Pass & Play with family on one device
  - In-game chat keeps the competition lively

UPWORDS is more than just fun — it keeps your brain sharp as you find clever ways to build and stack words. The higher you go, the higher you score!

Download today and start stacking your way to victory.

--
Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Privacy Policy: https://www.upwords-app.com/privacy.html

## Key features

- Stack letters to change words
- Score points based on stacking height
- Play with friends globally
- Challenge computer opponents
- Pass & Play mode
- In-game chat

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Bundle Yearly | $11.99 | per year |
| Premium Bundle Monthly | $1.49 | per month |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Bundle Lifetime | $34.99 | one-time |
| 610 Tokens | $44.99 | one-time |
| Medium Token Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Word Glow | $1.99 | one-time |
| 20 Tokens | $1.99 | one-time |
| 60 Tokens | $4.99 | one-time |
| 125 Tokens | $9.99 | one-time |
| Full Upgrade - Free! | Free | one-time |
| 260 Tokens | $19.99 | one-time |
| Large Token Pack | $9.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Upwords?

Reviews of Upwords are mixed: the game is rated 4.7/5 from 9.3K App Store ratings. What users like most: great online game, competitive and fun. Top complaints: questionable dictionary, computer uses invalid words. Summarized from real user reviews.

**Pros**

- 🚀 Great online game
- 🤝 Competitive and fun
- 🧠 Keeps the brain active
- 🌐 Connects players globally
- 🕰️ Enjoyable to play daily

**Cons**

- 🔤 Questionable dictionary
- 🤖 Computer uses invalid words
- 🤑 Expensive for a 50MB app
- 🚫 Rejects valid words
- 💤 Lack of help from developers
- 🔍 Difficult to find valid words
- 🧑‍💻 Unfair gameplay against computer
- 🕰️ Slow gameplay between turns

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Ads that cannot be closed
- Frequent crashes and freezes
- Login and verification issues
- Incorrect scoring and word validation

**Most requested features**

- Option to use British dictionary
- Choice of dictionaries
- Ability to swap more than one letter
- Show opponent's remaining tiles
- Fairer letter distribution

## Is Upwords safe?

Upwords - Fun with Words! appears safe based on user ratings. The AppsHunter Safety Score for Upwords is 94 out of 100. This assessment is based on 9,329 user ratings, with an App Store average of 4.7 out of 5. Of 9,329 App Store ratings, 93.5% point to a safe experience, 3.4% suggest some concerns, and 3.1% point to a risky experience.

## Is Upwords legit?

Upwords - Fun with Words! appears to be a legitimate app. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Upwords is 100 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data.

## Recent user reviews (10 of 517)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/upwords-fun-with-words/id588252565/reviews.md

### 1/5 — An ad after every play.

*2026-10-28, version 5.04*

I enjoy the game but I wish there was a dictionary for reference. There are very strange words that people play & I’d like to know what they mean.
Update: Oct. 23 2026.  I have been playing this game for years. This morning I go to play and it has been ‘updated’ and all my data and games have been wiped out. I have 3 regular opponents and now they’re gone. One friend had to start all over again with a new ID. WTF? This update is the worst I have ever seen in game updates. Fire the putz who came up with it!

### 1/5 — Don’t like update

*2026-10-28, version 5.04*

I really dislike the updates to the app. It makes it more difficult for me to change letters in the word and the look of the general game is worse. I just am really disappointed.

### 4/5 — Love the game, but hate the new UI

*2026-10-28*

The new UI is way too pastel and “soft” and hard to look at in all options. I’ve played with a more elderly family member multiple times a day for years, so I’ll adjust, but I wish a darker “classic” option was still available, like before. The repeated “test your word” floating notification is annoying and I don’t see any option to disable such unrequested “tips.” Also, I’d willingly pay a small one-time or even an annual fee (of $3 or less) to *only* remove banner ads without added features, but not a subscription at the current rates.

### 4/5 — Was better before recent update

*2026-10-28, version 5.04*

Although I like the red colour, don’t like how the letters no longer shuffle but instead dance bouncing around. I’m not using that feature as much for that reason. You’ve also made chat harder to use and appear to have made changes just for the sake of change when it was an enjoyable and engaging game to start.

### 5/5 — Apple Help to “Upwards”

*2026-10-28, version 5.04*

The Apple Support Staff is GREAT!!! After the latest iOS update I lost my games and my tokens! The Apple Tech Support sent me links to help with my Sign-In AND they retrieved my games and purchased tokens!! Thank You Apple!!! You’re the BEST! FIVE STARS! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

### 5/5 — Best game ever

*2026-10-27, version 5.04*

I have been playing this game online for many years now. I have many outstanding players I compete with. To find that an update has been made, my profile and history gone, all because you want money now. 
Delete!

### 4/5 — One more thing to fix!

*2026-10-27, version 5.04*

Please put the number of remaining tokens back on the playing screen.  Not very user-friendly having to go the store all the time now to verify.

### 1/5 — New update has ruined this!

*2026-10-27, version 5.03*

I’ve been playing this since 2013 and it has been perfect until the latest update (2026) which is so unlike the previous version that it is hard to wrap your head around.  The pastel colours are weak and makes the game less clear.  The changes in everything is just so hard to get used to I might give up!  It’s also slow and glitchy.  Can we have the option to switch back to the old version at least?

### 4/5 — One more thing to fix!

*2026-10-26, version 5.03*

Thank you for fixing the slowness and jerkiness while playing on iPad.

Now, for goodness sake, developer, please put the number of tokens one has back on the playing screen.  Not very user-friendly having to go the store all the time now to verify.  This was a bad move, taking it from the main screen and putting in its place how much time we have left to play our turn!  I never looked at that ever!  Who cares?  We’ll get the game done before 4 days 22 mins!!!!! Good grief!

### 5/5 — The greatest

*2026-10-26, version 5.02*

I really like stacking letters to change words, nice to be able to text too. We do it during short  periods of relaxing Support is great from the company if something goes wrong.

## Frequently asked questions about Upwords

### What is Upwords?

Upwords is a 3D crossword game where you stack letters on top of existing words to transform them into new words. The higher you stack, the more points you score. It's designed to be fun, fast, and endlessly replayable.

### How do I play Upwords?

You play Upwords by placing letters on top of existing words on the board to create new words. The game features a unique stacking mechanic that allows you to change words and score points based on how high you stack.

### Can I play Upwords offline?

Yes, Upwords offers a 'Pass & Play' mode that allows you to play with family on a single device, which can be used offline. You can also test yourself against the Computer in four different skill levels.

### Does Upwords have ads?

Yes, Upwords contains advertisements. Users have noted it contains advertisements, which is a factor in their perception of the app's value.

### What are the subscription options for Upwords?

Upwords offers a Premium Bundle with monthly and yearly subscription plans. The monthly plan is $1.49/month and includes a 7-day free trial, while the yearly plan is $11.99/year and also includes a 7-day free trial.

### Is Upwords suitable for all ages?

Upwords has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for younger players. However, some user reviews mention a questionable dictionary and issues with the computer using invalid words, which might be a consideration for older players seeking a strictly accurate experience.

### How often is Upwords updated?

The latest version of Upwords is 5.05, and it was last updated on October 29, 2026. This indicates a relatively recent update, suggesting ongoing development and support for the game.

### What do users like and dislike about Upwords?

Users praise Upwords for being a great online game that is competitive, fun, and keeps the brain active, connecting players globally. However, common criticisms include a questionable dictionary, the computer using invalid words, and perceived unfair gameplay.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.06 — 2026-11-03

• Fixed crashes on Mac OSX - Let me know if I missed any 
• Follow tournament matches with live scores, time remaining, and last-move updates—even when you’re waiting for your next round.
• Fixed an issue where an open game could show an outdated board after returning to the app.
• Improved layouts and rematch confirmations on iPhone Duo.
• Small improvements to the notification test tool.

### 5.05 — 2026-10-29

-More performance improvements
- Further layout fixes for small devices 
- let us know what’s improved and what needs work!

### 5.04 — 2026-10-27

- Lots of performance improvements
- Update to layout of iPhone Duo and smaller devices like iPhone SE
- let us know what’s improved and what needs work!

### 5.03 — 2026-10-26

- lots of performance improvements 
- update to iPhone Duo layout
- let us know what’s improved and what needs work!

### 5.02 — 2026-10-24

Lots of bug fixes
- Possibly fixed ios17 ipad issues
- Possibly fixed issue of not being able to place a tile on some iPads
- Added a Notification test in the help section
- Adjusted layout of ipad and duo
- Trying to make login flow more clear 
- users shouldn't get logged out when updating from version 4.49

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## More apps by Lonely Star Software, Inc.

- [Hurry Upwords: Words to Win](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hurry-upwords-words-to-win/id1599411924)
- [Wallpapers - MidJournal A.I.](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wallpapers-midjournal-ai/id1633014580)
- [DropScout](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dropscout/id6477324347)
- [Pluck: Smart Doc Scanner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pluck-smart-doc-scanner/id6759709513)

All apps by Lonely Star Software, Inc.: https://appshunter.io/developer/284572331

## Related topics

[upwords](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/upwords) · [upwards game](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/upwards-game) · [upwords game](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/upwords-game)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-11-03.*
