# Codenames vs Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes at none against Codenames's 1. Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes also leads on review sentiment (81% vs 66%) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). Codenames's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 8 months) and price ($4.99 vs $9.99). On rating, ads, monetization model and chart position there is nothing between them.

Codenames costs $4.99 and Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes $9.99 up front. Codenames sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Codenames against 4.6 for Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Codenames has 1.1K ratings behind it against 85, 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 81% of Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes's.

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Codenames | Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $9.99 |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codenames/id1055650930/reviews)** | [4.6 (85 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keep-talking-and-nobody-explodes/id1445772666/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.1K** | 85 |
| Positive reviews | 66.3% of reviews | **80.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 8 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#14** | #25 |
| Size | 221 MB | 210 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [CGE Digital s.r.o.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1706267473) | [Steel Crate Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/1076458483) |

## What reviewers say

### Codenames

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

**Currently charting:** #14 Top Paid · Board, #16 Top Paid · Puzzle, #138 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


### Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keep-talking-and-nobody-explodes/id1445772666)

**Currently charting:** #25 Top Paid · Board, #46 Top Paid · Puzzle (US App Store)

Work with friends to defuse a bomb by verbally communicating instructions from a manual. Solve challenging, procedurally generated puzzles under a time limit. This is a local multiplayer party game that tests communication and puzzle-solving skills.

**Highlights:** Challenging puzzles, Procedurally generated bombs, Local multiplayer party game, Mobile portability, One copy needed, Mission and Free Play modes

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Highly fun and engaging
- 🤝 Great for parties and groups
- 💰 Worth the price
- 🤯 Intense and adrenaline-inducing
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Strengthens friendships

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🗣️ Can be awkward in public
- ⚫ Screen sometimes goes black
- 🔊 No sound on iPad without headphones
- ❓ Morse code difficult to understand
- 🐛 Buggy in certain modules

**Reported bugs**

- Screen sometimes goes black
- No sound on iPad without headphones
- Complicated wires module issues
- Morse code difficult to understand
- Cut wire instruction bug

**Requested features**

- More levels
- Add sound to Morse code
- Visual suspense for bomb explosion
- More languages
- Add mods for iPad/Apple phones


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Codenames free?

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

### Is Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes free?

Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Codenames or Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes?

Codenames is rated higher. Codenames averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes averages 4.6 from 85 ratings.

### Do Codenames or Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes have ads?

Neither Codenames nor Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Codenames or Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes?

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, and Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes every 8 months. Most recently, Codenames was updated on October 20, 2026 and Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes on October 19, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Codenames or Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes?

Codenames currently peaks at #14 in the App Store charts, and Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes at #25. 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.*