Comparison

Codenames vs Dune

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 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

Dune

Engage in strategic warfare and political intrigue on the desert planet Arrakis. This award-winning board game adaptation blends deck-building and worker placement mechanics. Compete against AI, other players online, or face unique challenges and rotating game modes.

Highlights
  • Deck-building mechanics
  • Worker placement strategy
  • Online multiplayer
  • Local AI battles
  • Unique challenges
  • Rotating Skirmish Mode
  • Achievement system
Features
Read full description

Immerse yourself in the world of Dune. Experience the ultimate blend of strategy and intrigue as you navigate the treacherous landscapes of Arrakis in the award-winning board game Dune: Imperium! Battle online, locally with AI, or against the formidable House Hagal. Earn Achievements that showcase your prowess as a leader. Embark on more than a dozen Challenges that will test your wit and cunning. Compete for badges in the rotating Skirmish Mode where no two games are the same! Control the Spice. Control the Universe. Arrakis. Dune. Desert Planet. Raise your banner above the vast wasteland before you. As the Great Houses of the Landsraad marshal their forces and their spies, whom will you influence, and whom will you betray? A tyrannical Emperor. The secretive Bene Gesserit. The shrewd Spacing Guild. The ferocious Fremen of the Deep Desert. The power of the Imperium can be yours, but war is not the only way to claim it. Dune: Imperium blends deck-building and worker placement in a deeply thematic new strategy game where the fate of the Empire hangs on your decisions. Will you seek political allies or rely upon military might? Economic strength or subtle intrigues? A council seat… or a sharpened blade? The cards are dealt. The choice is yours. The Imperium awaits.

Screenshots

Codenames4 screens
Dune4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Codenames at none against Dune's 3. Codenames also leads on price ($4.99 vs $10.99). Dune's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.7) and update cadence (every 6 days vs fortnightly). On ads, chart position, device support and iOS requirement 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

Codenames costs $4.99 and Dune $10.99 up front. Dune sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Codenames asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dune holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.1K and 4.7K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of Codenames's written reviews are positive against 79% of Dune's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, Dune every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Codenames versus Dune: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCodenamesDune
Price$4.99 — better$10.99
Rating4.7 (1.1K ratings)4.9 (4.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.1% of reviews78.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.1K4.7K — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#12 — better#16
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size221 MB774 MB
Age rating9+9+
DeveloperCGE Digital s.r.o.Dire Wolf Digital

Customer experience

Codenames

All ratings1,090 ratings
Positive93.5%
Neutral2.5%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews437 reviews
Positive66.1%
Neutral14.9%
Negative19.0%

Dune

All ratings4,697 ratings
Positive97.4%
Neutral1.0%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews483 reviews
Positive78.7%
Neutral6.2%
Negative15.1%

User reviews

Codenames

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

  • ⏱️ 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

Dune

From 4.7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth gameplay
  • 🎨 Beautiful implementation
  • 💪 Challenging AI
  • 🕹️ Great digital adaptation of the board game
  • 🕰️ Quick gameplay sessions

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Obtrusive DRM
  • 🕹️ No local multiplayer/pass-and-play
  • 🐛 Bugs and crashes
  • 🔁 Slow reloading when switching between app and game
  • 🔍 Difficulty seeing card details

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

Dune

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Intrigue card issues
  • Inconsistent login credentials
  • Notification problems
  • Victory points reset bug

Requested features

4 requests
  • Controller support
  • Pass and play mode
  • Ability to choose leaders
  • Expand card detail visibility

In-app purchases

None

Codenames

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Dune

One-time3
  • Dune: Imperium - Rise of Ix$9.99
  • Dune: Imperium - Immortality$9.99
  • Dune: Imperium - Uprising$10.99

Questions

Is Codenames free?
Codenames costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Dune free?
Dune costs $10.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Codenames or Dune?
Dune is rated higher. Codenames averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Dune averages 4.9 from 4.7K ratings.
Do Codenames or Dune have ads?
Neither Codenames nor Dune shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Codenames or Dune?
Codenames ships an update fortnightly, and Dune every 6 days. Most recently, Codenames was updated on September 23, 2026 and Dune on September 22, 2026.
Which is more popular, Codenames or Dune?
Codenames currently peaks at #12 in the App Store charts, and Dune at #16. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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