# Codenames vs Wingspan

The clearest difference is price: Codenames at $4.99 against Wingspan's $9.99. Codenames also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Wingspan's advantage is ratings volume (13K vs 1.1K). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Codenames costs $4.99 and Wingspan $9.99 up front. Codenames sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Wingspan sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Codenames against 4.8 for Wingspan. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Wingspan has 13K 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 61% of Wingspan's.

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, Wingspan every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 20, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Codenames | Wingspan |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $9.99 |
| Rating | [4.7 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codenames/id1055650930/reviews) | **[4.8 (13K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wingspan-the-board-game/id1459520638/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1.1K | **13K** |
| Positive reviews | **66.3% of reviews** | 61.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | #12 | **#5** |
| Size | 221 MB | 1.0 GB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CGE Digital s.r.o.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1706267473) | [Monster Couch](https://appshunter.io/developer/1444305232) |

## What reviewers say

### Codenames

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

**Currently charting:** #12 Top Paid · Board, #15 Top Paid · Puzzle, #125 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


### Wingspan

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wingspan-the-board-game/id1459520638)

**Currently charting:** #5 Top Paid · Board, #34 Top Paid · Strategy, #90 Top Paid · Games, #143 Top Grossing · Board, #149 Top Paid (US App Store)

A relaxing, award-winning strategy card game where you discover and attract birds to build wildlife preserves. Compete with up to five players to create powerful combinations and score points through birds, bonus cards, and goals.

**Highlights:** Discover and attract birds, Build wildlife preserves, Engine-building strategy, Single and multiplayer modes, Animated birds with real sounds, Multiple scoring methods

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

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Seasonal Decorative Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Woodland Wonders Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Seasonal Decorative Pack 2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Birds of Continental Europe | $5.99 | one-time |
| Bird Pack: Additional Asian Avians | $5.99 | one-time |
| Bird Pack: British Birds | $5.99 | one-time |
| European Expansion | $9.99 | one-time |
| Oceania Expansion | $11.99 | one-time |
| Asia Expansion | $11.99 | one-time |
| Bird Packs Season Pass | $12.99 | one-time |
| Bird Packs Season Pass | $18.99 | one-time |
| Bird Packs Season Pass | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Beautiful gameplay
- 🎶 Lovely music and sound effects
- 🕰️ Relaxing and calming experience
- 📚 Educational bird facts
- 🕹️ Faithful digital adaptation of the board game

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔍 Small text and icons difficult to read
- 🕰️ AI opponents take too long to make moves
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🤯 Frustrating online multiplayer experience

**Reported bugs**

- End-of-game buttons not working
- Unfinished games not clearing from main menu
- Inconsistent response when tapping on cards/habitats
- Incorrect behavior of certain bird abilities
- Crashes when playing specific card combinations

**Requested features**

- Ability to reorder cards in hand
- Option to save/friend usernames for online play
- Faster AI turns
- In-game chat function
- Ability to view opponent's hand size


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Codenames free?

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

### Is Wingspan free?

Wingspan costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Codenames or Wingspan?

Wingspan is rated higher. Codenames averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Wingspan averages 4.8 from 13K ratings.

### Do Codenames or Wingspan have ads?

Neither Codenames nor Wingspan shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Codenames or Wingspan?

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, and Wingspan every 2 weeks. Most recently, Codenames was updated on October 20, 2026 and Wingspan on October 20, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Codenames or Wingspan?

Codenames currently peaks at #12 in the App Store charts, and Wingspan at #5. 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.*