CODENAMES companion vs Taboo
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CODENAMES companion
This digital assistant enhances the physical board game by generating random key cards and providing an in-game timer. It streamlines setup and offers new grid configurations for a dynamic gameplay experience.
- Random Key Card Generator
- Customizable Grid Setup
- In-Game Timer
- Device Sharing
- Multi-Device Sync
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This is a companion app, not a standalone game! To use this app, you’ll need a physical copy of Codenames, Codenames: Pictures, or Codenames: Duet. The Codenames Companion app is the official digital assistant for your favorite word association board game. Whether you're playing with friends or family, this app helps streamline your setup and brings new options to set up the grid. Features: Random Key Card Generator Set your preferences and generate unique key cards for every round. No two games will ever be the same! In-Game Timer Add some tension and keep things fast-paced. Set a custom time limit for players’ turns and keep everyone on their toes. Device Sharing or Sync Use one device for both spymasters, or sync across multiple devices using a simple code. Choose your preferred way.
Taboo
A word-guessing party game where teams compete to describe words without using forbidden terms. Play remotely with friends via video chat and customize game settings for endless fun.
- Video chat integration
- Team-based word guessing
- Customizable game settings
- Ad-free gameplay
- Multiple language support
- Themed card decks
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Can you describe an APPLE without using the words RED, FRUIT, PIE, CIDER or CORE? Taboo is the ultimate brain-teasing, word-twisting adult party game. Play with video chat and throw a house party on your phone! Split into two teams and take it in turns to describe the words on the cards. Your team has to guess as many as possible before the timer runs out. If you use a taboo word by mistake, the other team will buzz and you’ll lose a point. Think fast and talk your way to victory! HOW TO PLAY TABOO: 1. Start a game and invite your friends. 2. Split into two teams and name your team. 3. The app chooses a Clue-giver for each team. Each team then takes their turn! 4. The Clue-giver draws a card. The Clue-giver must describe the word without saying any of the words on the card. 5. Team B will buzz if the Clue-giver says a taboo word! 6. Your team must guess as many words as possible before the time runs out. FEATURES - FULLY CUSTOMISABLE – Decide the number of players, rounds, how many turns per round and how many skips are allowed. - AD-FREE GAME – Have fun with zero ads to distract you. - COMPLETE STARTER CARD DECK – Includes cards from the original game. Expand your game further with additional themed decks! - FULLY TRANSLATED – Available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Turkish, Greek, Polish and Hindi. Get the perfect party game on your mobile now!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: CODENAMES companion at Free against Taboo's $1.99. CODENAMES companion also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10) and review sentiment (49% vs 37%). Taboo's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 3.2) and ratings volume (4.7K vs 55). On update cadence, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
CODENAMES companion is free to download; Taboo costs $1.99 up front. Taboo sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. CODENAMES companion asks for nothing beyond the download.
Taboo holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Taboo has 4.7K ratings behind it against 55, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 49% of CODENAMES companion's written reviews are positive against 37% of Taboo's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
CODENAMES companion ships an update every 2 months, Taboo monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CODENAMES companion | Taboo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $1.99 |
| Rating | 3.2 (55 ratings) | 4.9 (4.7K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 49.1% of reviews — better | 37.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 55 | 4.7K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #3 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 140 MB | 272 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | CGE Digital s.r.o. | Marmalade Game Studio Limited |
Customer experience
CODENAMES companion
Taboo
Bugs and requests
CODENAMES companion
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Taboo
Reported bugs
3 issues- Game stopped in the middle to ask for payment
- Video chat feature not working
- App not optimized for high refresh rate displays
Requested features
4 requests- Add more cards in the base version
- Allow customization of game rules
- Implement a stats/history section
- Support more than 2 teams
In-app purchases
CODENAMES companion
No in-app purchases
Taboo
- Mystery Mix Pack 1$1.99
- Generations Gen Z Pack$1.99
- Unlock Taboo Premium$2.99
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- Midnight Night Out Pack$2.99
- Midnight Bedroom Pack$2.99
- Ready to Roast$6.49
- Sports and Games Pack$7.99
- Welcome Offer$9.99
- Midnight Deck$9.99
- Word Bonanza Bundle$19.99
Questions
Is CODENAMES companion free?
Is Taboo free?
Which has better reviews, CODENAMES companion or Taboo?
Do CODENAMES companion or Taboo have ads?
Which is updated more often, CODENAMES companion or Taboo?
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