# Words in Progress vs Crossword Explorer+

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Words in Progress at 59% against Crossword Explorer+'s 22%. Words in Progress also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months) and device support (5 vs 3). Crossword Explorer+'s advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.6). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Crossword Explorer+ holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.7K and 2.3K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 59% of Words in Progress's written reviews are positive against 22% of Crossword Explorer+'s, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Words in Progress ships an update every 5 weeks, Crossword Explorer+ every 3 months. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Words in Progress | Crossword Explorer+ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (1.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/words-in-progress/id1021231678/reviews) | **[4.9 (2.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-explorer-plus/id1551764376/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1.7K | **2.3K** |
| Positive reviews | **59.2% of reviews** | 22.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 391 MB | 266 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.5 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Gamious B.V.](https://appshunter.io/developer/539181337) | [PlaySimple Games Pte Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1189416142) |

## What reviewers say

### Words in Progress

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/words-in-progress/id1021231678)

Engage in a unique word-crafting puzzle game by combining letters to form words. Test your skills in an endless single-player mode or challenge others in asynchronous multiplayer matches. Enjoy a clean design and a steady learning curve suitable for all ages.

**Highlights:** Unique word game mechanics, Single player endless mode, Asynchronous multiplayer mode, Long and steady learning curve, Clean, cozy, and crisp design, Multi-language support

**Features:** With Apple Arcade, Game Controller support, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great game
- 🧠 Good brain exercise
- ⚡ Addictive gameplay
- 🎨 Interesting concept
- 🆕 Clever and new

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Faulty and unreliable
- 🤔 Poor dictionary and word acceptance
- 🤯 Frustrating when words are rejected
- 🤦‍♂️ Clumsy and unintuitive controls
- 🔥 Overheats device

**Reported bugs**

- Authentication errors
- Challenges not working properly
- Scores not showing up
- Screentime limit error
- Blank tiles not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Add undo/shuffle button
- Improve dictionary and word acceptance
- Provide word lookup/submission feature
- Add difficulty settings and game modes
- Improve UI and controls


### Crossword Explorer+

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-explorer-plus/id1551764376)

Engage your mind with daily crossword puzzles and trivia. Access thousands of puzzles with new themes each day to expand your vocabulary and general knowledge. Play anytime, anywhere on your iOS device.

**Highlights:** Daily new puzzles, Thousands of puzzles available, Variety of daily themes, Hints for difficult words, Vocabulary and general knowledge improvement

**Features:** With Apple Arcade

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Relaxing and fun gameplay
- 🚀 Smooth and intuitive controls
- 💡 Bite-sized crossword puzzles

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤔 Puzzles too easy and repetitive
- 📍 Heavily US-centric content
- 🔍 Lack of difficulty options or progression
- 🐛 Bugs and crashes reported

**Reported bugs**

- Black screen on startup
- Incorrect answers and spelling errors
- Syncing issues between devices

**Requested features**

- Add difficulty settings or skip easy levels
- Improve crossword variety and reduce repetition
- Optimize for landscape mode on iPad
- Implement cloud save/sync across devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Words in Progress free?

Words in Progress is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Crossword Explorer+ free?

Crossword Explorer+ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Words in Progress or Crossword Explorer+?

Crossword Explorer+ is rated higher. Words in Progress averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while Crossword Explorer+ averages 4.9 from 2.3K ratings.

### Do Words in Progress or Crossword Explorer+ have ads?

Neither Words in Progress nor Crossword Explorer+ shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Words in Progress or Crossword Explorer+?

Words in Progress ships an update every 5 weeks, and Crossword Explorer+ every 3 months. Most recently, Words in Progress was updated on September 23, 2026 and Crossword Explorer+ on September 23, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*