# Codenames vs Potion Explosion

The clearest difference is rating: Codenames at 4.7 against Potion Explosion's 4.1. Codenames also leads on review sentiment (66% vs 40%) and chart position (#10 vs #149). Potion Explosion's advantage is price ($3.99 vs $4.99) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Codenames costs $4.99 and Potion Explosion $3.99 up front. Codenames sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Potion Explosion sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Codenames holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.2K and 284 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of Codenames's written reviews are positive against 40% of Potion Explosion's.

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, Potion Explosion every 11 days. Both last shipped on November 13, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Codenames | Potion Explosion |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$3.99** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codenames-word-board-game/id1055650930/reviews)** | [4.1 (284 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/potion-explosion/id1162628471/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2K** | 284 |
| Positive reviews | **66.0% of reviews** | 40.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 11 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#10** | #149 |
| Size | 221 MB | 192 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CGE Digital s.r.o.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1706267473) | [Horrible Guild](https://appshunter.io/developer/1460296043) |

## What reviewers say

### Codenames

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codenames-word-board-game/id1055650930)

**Currently charting:** #10 Top Paid · Board, #11 Top Paid · Puzzle, #99 Top Paid · Games, #150 Top Paid (US App Store)

This official digital adaptation of a popular board game offers a unique word-association puzzle experience. Engage in turn-based matches, solve daily solo puzzles, and explore numerous rule variations for endless replayability. Collect themed word cards and level up your agent to unlock new content.

**Highlights:** Nearly 50 rule-bending game modes, Daily solo puzzles, Themed word collections, Turn-based multiplayer, Cross-platform play, Pass & Play mode

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Krycí jména: Duet | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⏱️ 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

**Reported bugs**

- Initial launch with only Czech language support
- Occasional app crashes and server disconnections

**Requested features**

- 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


### Potion Explosion

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/potion-explosion/id1162628471)

**Currently charting:** #149 Top Paid · Board (US App Store)

This is a digital adaptation of an award-winning puzzle board game where players collect magical ingredients to brew powerful potions. Engage in tactical gameplay, trigger chain reactions, and compete against AI or players worldwide to score the most points.

**Highlights:** Official adaptation of award-winning board game, Solo mode against AI, Online multiplayer with worldwide leaderboard, Tactical gameplay with strategic depth, The Fifth Ingredient expansion available, Magical universe with enhanced digital elements

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Fifth Ingredient | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Beautiful graphics and animations
- 🧠 Engaging and strategic gameplay
- 🕹️ Smooth offline experience
- 💰 Good value for the price

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔌 Drains battery quickly
- 🕰️ Online games prone to freezing and synchronization issues
- 🤖 AI opponents too difficult or too easy

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to complete online games
- Incorrect scoring and game state displayed
- Potions and ingredients not functioning as expected

**Requested features**

- Notification system for online games
- Ability to undo moves
- Random selection of professors
- More challenging AI opponents


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Codenames free?

Codenames costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Potion Explosion free?

Potion Explosion costs $3.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Codenames or Potion Explosion?

Codenames is rated higher. Codenames averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Potion Explosion averages 4.1 from 284 ratings.

### Do Codenames or Potion Explosion have ads?

Neither Codenames nor Potion Explosion shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Codenames or Potion Explosion?

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, and Potion Explosion every 11 days. Most recently, Codenames was updated on November 13, 2026 and Potion Explosion on November 13, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Codenames or Potion Explosion?

Codenames currently peaks at #10 in the App Store charts, and Potion Explosion at #149. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*