Comparison

Codenames vs Vienna Connection

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 available in ENGLISH, GERMAN, FRENCH, ARABIC, ITALIAN, PORTUGUESE, SPANISH, and CZECH. 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

Vienna Connection

This app serves as a digital companion for a spy-themed board game set during the Cold War. It allows players to select and play missions directly on their mobile device, featuring puzzles, solutions, and a final report section.

Highlights
  • Digital board game companion
  • Mission selection
  • In-app puzzles
  • Solutions access
  • Final report section
  • Spy-themed gameplay
Features
Read full description

This application is a digital companion for the Vienna Connection board game. You can play Vienna Connection by accessing the website, or by downloading this app to your mobile device.When you launch the app, you will select the Mission you want to play, and you can immediately start playing. The app has all the elements discussed in the rules, that is Puzzles, Solutions and Final report section. Vienna Connection is a spy themed board game. In this story-driven game for 1-5 players, you command a team of CIA agents during the Cold War conducting secret missions in various European cities. It’s January 1977. CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia gets wind of Soviet activity in Austria and has no choice but to intervene. The CIA decides to dispatch members of their Special Activities Division (SAD). The game is on. If you’re looking for a spy game, and would love to outthink and defeat Soviet agent’s activities—Vienna Connection is the game for you.

Screenshots

Codenames4 screens
Vienna Connection4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Codenames at 66% against Vienna Connection's 0%. Codenames also leads on rating (4.7 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (1.1K vs 1). Vienna Connection's advantage is price (Free vs $4.99) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On update cadence, ads and device support 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

Vienna Connection is free to download; Codenames costs $4.99 up front. Codenames sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Vienna Connection asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Codenames holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Codenames has 1.1K ratings behind it against 1, 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 0% of Vienna Connection's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, Vienna Connection every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Codenames versus Vienna Connection: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCodenamesVienna Connection
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (1.1K ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews66.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1.1K — better1
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#10 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size221 MB115 MB
Age rating9+17+
DeveloperCGE Digital s.r.o.Portal Games

Customer experience

Codenames

All ratings1,129 ratings
Positive93.4%
Neutral2.6%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews442 reviews
Positive66.3%
Neutral14.5%
Negative19.2%

Vienna Connection

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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

Vienna Connection

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Codenames

One-time1
  • Krycí jména: Duet$4.99
None

Vienna Connection

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Codenames free?
Codenames costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Vienna Connection free?
Vienna Connection is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Codenames or Vienna Connection?
Codenames is rated higher. Codenames averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Vienna Connection averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Codenames or Vienna Connection have ads?
Neither Codenames nor Vienna Connection shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Codenames or Vienna Connection?
Codenames ships an update fortnightly, and Vienna Connection every 2 weeks. Most recently, Codenames was updated on October 18, 2026 and Vienna Connection on October 8, 2026.

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