Comparison

Codenames vs Clue

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Codenames

Engage in a strategic word game of deduction and teamwork. Give one-word clues to help your team guess associated words before the opposing team. Enjoy a blend of casual fun and deep thinking with turn-based multiplayer matches.

Highlights
  • Turn-based multiplayer
  • One-word clue system
  • Teamwork and deduction
  • Multiple game modes
  • Spymaster and Operative roles
  • Logic and creativity challenges
Read full description

Codenames is a clever word game of deduction, teamwork, and strategy, inspired by the popular board game loved worldwide. Give one-word clues, link multiple words, and read your teammates’ minds to win before the other team does. Easy to learn, hard to master Codenames is simple to understand and instantly rewarding. Every match tests your logic, creativity, and intuition — a perfect blend of casual fun and deep thinking. Play at your own pace Turn-based matches let you play whenever you want, as much as you want. Start several games at once and return when it’s your turn — perfect for busy players. Smart fun for sharp minds If you enjoy games that make you think, this is for you. Every clue and guess matters — there’s no autoplay, no idle waiting, just pure wordplay and deduction. Why players love Codenames • Turn-based multiplayer — play with friends or online opponents. • Based on a beloved board game concept: give one-word clues, guess multiple words. • Exclusive twists and new game modes available exclusively in this version. • Choose your role — Spymaster or Operative — and master both perspectives. • One-time purchase unlocks a full experience — no freemium grind, no intrusive ads—just the pure enjoyment for the price of a cup of coffee for the dev team. Join millions of players and test how well you can get into the minds of others. Download Codenames today — the top multiplayer word game for clever thinkers.

About

Clue

Step into the shoes of classic characters in this iconic murder mystery game. Explore a mansion in 3D, solve crimes with six suspects, six weapons, and nine rooms. Play against AI or challenge players worldwide online.

Highlights
  • Classic murder mystery gameplay
  • Iconic characters and rooms in 3D
  • Play against AI or online opponents
  • Private multiplayer for friends and family
  • Cross-platform multiplayer support
  • Online leaderboards
Features
Read full description

The original murder mystery invites you to a dinner party to die for… Step into the shoes of your favourite cast of classy criminal characters – Miss Scarlett, Colonel Mustard, Reverend Green, Professor Plum, Mrs Peacock and Dr Orchid – and explore the iconic rooms of the Tudor Mansion, rendered in stunning 3D like never before. Play against challenging AI opponents, or go online to challenge Clue/Cluedo fans from around the world. You can even set up a nostalgic games night with your friends and family in Private Multiplayer! Whodunit? With what weapon? Where? There’s six suspects, six weapons, nine rooms, and only one answer… HOW TO PLAY CLUE: CLASSIC EDITION: 1. Three cards are hidden away at the start of the game – these cards are the solution to the crime. 2. Each player gets three Clue Cards. These can’t be part of the solution, so they are automatically crossed off your clue sheet. 3. Roll the dice and move your token around the board. 4. If you choose to enter a room, you can make a suggestion. Pick who you think committed the crime, with what weapon and where. 5. Each player then takes it in turn to compare your suggestion against the cards they hold. If they have a card that features in your suggestion, they’ll tell you. 6. Cross off any cards other players have shown you and whittle down your list of suspects. 7. When you are ready, you can make an accusation! If your accusation is wrong, you’re out of the game! FEATURES - CROSS-PLATFORM MULTIPLAYER – Play with your friends and family on PC, mobile and Nintendo Switch. - ONLINE LEADERBOARDS – Outsmart fans around the world with weekly online leaderboards. - MULTIPLE MODES – Face up to six players in Online Multiplayer, or take on customisable AI suspects in Single Player Mode. - PRIVATE LOBBIES – Set up a family game night easily with the Play with Friends Mode. Catch the criminal! Play Clue: Classic Edition today!

Screenshots

Codenames4 screens
Clue4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Codenames at none against Clue's 10. Codenames also leads on price ($4.99 vs $5.99). Clue's advantage is ratings volume (36K vs 1.1K) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Codenames costs $4.99 and Clue $5.99 up front. Clue sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Codenames asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Codenames against 4.7 for Clue. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Clue has 36K ratings behind it against 1.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 66% of Codenames's written reviews are positive against 59% of Clue's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, Clue monthly. Both last shipped on October 2, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Codenames versus Clue: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCodenamesClue
Price$4.99 — better$5.99
Rating4.7 (1.1K ratings)4.7 (36K ratings)
Positive reviews66.3% of reviews — better58.8% of reviews
Number of ratings1.1K36K — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#10 — better#14
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size221 MB832 MB
Age rating9+12+
DeveloperCGE Digital s.r.o.Marmalade Game Studio Limited

Customer experience

Codenames

All ratings1,090 ratings
Positive93.5%
Neutral2.5%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews439 reviews
Positive66.3%
Neutral14.6%
Negative19.1%

Clue

All ratings35,556 ratings
Positive93.5%
Neutral3.1%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews245 reviews
Positive58.8%
Neutral13.5%
Negative27.8%

User reviews

Codenames

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth and intuitive gameplay
  • 🎨 Excellent visual design
  • 💰 Good value for money
  • 🕹️ Engaging single-player modes
  • 🤝 Enjoyable multiplayer experience

Room to improve

  • ⏱️ Long wait times for other players
  • 🌐 Connectivity issues and server problems
  • 🌍 Cultural differences and language barriers
  • 🔒 Restrictive clue-giving rules
  • 🤖 Jury system allowing questionable words

Clue

From 36K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great game
  • 🎨 Seamless gameplay
  • 🎨 Beautiful graphics
  • 👍 Faithful to the board game
  • 🎨 Automated gameplay features

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
  • 🐛 Multiplayer issues and bugs
  • 🤖 AI plays too perfectly
  • 🔒 Lack of account/progress sync
  • 🚫 Limited character/board selection without purchases

Bugs and requests

Codenames

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Initial launch with only Czech language support
  • Occasional app crashes and server disconnections

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add Codenames Duet mode
  • Implement AI/bot players for faster games
  • Allow custom word packs and themes
  • Add a 'speed mode' for faster gameplay
  • Improve the jury system to maintain game integrity

Clue

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Game freezing/crashing during multiplayer
  • Incorrect auto-fills on final accusation
  • Purchased content not restoring properly
  • Multiplayer lobby issues
  • Inconsistent AI behavior

Requested features

8 requests
  • Randomized player starting positions
  • Ability to mark revealed cards
  • Expert mode with no auto-fills
  • More game modes (speed, custom rules, etc.)
  • Ability to chat with online players
Show 3 more
  • Permanent scoring/progression system
  • Ability to kick inactive/disconnected players
  • More board and character themes

In-app purchases

None

Codenames

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Clue

One-time10
  • Warning$1.99
  • Super Pack$5.99
  • Hollywood Theme$6.99
Show 7 more
  • Vampire Theme$6.99
  • Snowy Peaks Theme$6.99
  • Masquerade Theme Bundle$6.99
  • Sherlock Theme$6.99
  • Tropical Mystery Theme$6.99
  • Murder Express Theme$7.99
  • Ultimate Detective's Package$34.99

Questions

Is Codenames free?
Codenames costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Clue free?
Clue costs $5.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Codenames or Clue?
Codenames and Clue are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1.1K and 36K ratings respectively.
Do Codenames or Clue have ads?
Neither Codenames nor Clue shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Codenames or Clue?
Codenames ships an update fortnightly, and Clue monthly. Most recently, Codenames was updated on October 2, 2026 and Clue on October 2, 2026.
Which is more popular, Codenames or Clue?
Codenames currently peaks at #10 in the App Store charts, and Clue at #14. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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