# Codenames vs Terraforming Mars

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Codenames at 66% against Terraforming Mars's 45%. Codenames also leads on price ($4.99 vs $8.99) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). Terraforming Mars's advantage is ratings volume (7.6K vs 1.1K) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Codenames costs $4.99 and Terraforming Mars $8.99 up front. Codenames sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Terraforming Mars sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Codenames holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Terraforming Mars has 7.6K ratings behind it against 1.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of Codenames's written reviews are positive against 45% of Terraforming Mars's.

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, Terraforming Mars every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Codenames | Terraforming Mars |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $8.99 |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codenames/id1055650930/reviews)** | [4.5 (7.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/terraforming-mars/id1353471030/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1.1K | **7.6K** |
| Positive reviews | **66.3% of reviews** | 45.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#12** | #48 |
| Size | 221 MB | 353 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [CGE Digital s.r.o.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1706267473) | [Twin Sails Interactive](https://appshunter.io/developer/1135862620) |

## What reviewers say

### Codenames

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

**Currently charting:** #12 Top Paid · Board, #18 Top Paid · Puzzle, #144 Top Paid · Games (US App Store)

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

**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


### Terraforming Mars

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/terraforming-mars/id1353471030)

**Currently charting:** #48 Top Paid · Board, #143 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Lead a corporation to terraform Mars by building cities, forests, and oceans. Manage resources, complete objectives, and increase your Terraform Rating to make the planet habitable. Compete against rivals and lead humanity into a new era.

**Highlights:** Official board game adaptation, Play against AI or up to 5 players, Online and offline multiplayer, Corporate Era variant, Solo challenge mode, Expansions available for new content

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Original Promo Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Terraforming Mars - Prelude | $3.99 | one-time |
| Hellas & Elysium | $3.99 | one-time |
| Venus Next | $3.99 | one-time |
| Colonies | $3.99 | one-time |
| Big Box Promo Pack | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Faithful adaptation of board game
- 👍 Great UI and animations
- 🕹️ Smooth solo gameplay
- 💰 Good value for money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🕹️ Unreliable multiplayer experience
- 🕰️ Long load times to resume games
- 🤯 Confusing multiplayer features
- 🤖 Weak AI opponents

**Reported bugs**

- Science tags not counted properly
- Power infrastructure card not functioning
- Inability to place tiles in some cases
- Saved games not loading properly

**Requested features**

- Undo button for actions
- Ability to see final game metrics
- Notifications for turn updates
- Ability to track win/loss records
- More expansion content


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Codenames free?

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

### Is Terraforming Mars free?

Terraforming Mars costs $8.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Codenames or Terraforming Mars?

Codenames is rated higher. Codenames averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Terraforming Mars averages 4.5 from 7.6K ratings.

### Do Codenames or Terraforming Mars have ads?

Neither Codenames nor Terraforming Mars shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Codenames or Terraforming Mars?

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, and Terraforming Mars every 3 weeks. Most recently, Codenames was updated on November 2, 2026 and Terraforming Mars on November 4, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Codenames or Terraforming Mars?

Codenames currently peaks at #12 in the App Store charts, and Terraforming Mars at #48. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

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