Codenames vs Dune
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Turn-based multiplayer
- One-word clue system
- Teamwork and deduction
- Multiple game modes
- Spymaster and Operative roles
- Logic and creativity challenges
Read full descriptionHide 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.
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.
- Deck-building mechanics
- Worker placement strategy
- Online multiplayer
- Local AI battles
- Unique challenges
- Rotating Skirmish Mode
- Achievement system
Read full descriptionHide 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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
Codenames ships an update fortnightly, Dune every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Codenames | Dune |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 — better | $10.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (1.1K ratings) | 4.9 (4.7K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 66.1% of reviews | 78.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1.1K | 4.7K — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Best chart rank | #12 — better | #16 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 221 MB | 774 MB |
| Age rating | 9+ | 9+ |
| Developer | CGE Digital s.r.o. | Dire Wolf Digital |
Customer experience
Codenames
Dune
User reviews
Codenames
From 1.1K App Store ratingsWhat 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 ratingsWhat 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
Codenames
No in-app purchases
Dune
- Dune: Imperium - Rise of Ix$9.99
- Dune: Imperium - Immortality$9.99
- Dune: Imperium - Uprising$10.99









