Comparison

Codenames vs Everdell

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

Everdell

Build a fantastical city by gathering resources, constructing buildings, and recruiting critters. Compete against others or AI in this strategic card-based city-building game adapted from a popular board game. The player with the highest-scoring city after four seasons wins.

Highlights
  • Worker placement for resource gathering
  • Strategic card play for city building
  • Build Constructions and recruit Critters
  • Cross-platform multiplayer
  • AI play and Solo Challenges
  • Four-season game progression
Features
Read full description

From Everfrost to Bellsong, many a peaceful year has passed in Everdell — but the time has come for new territories to be settled and new cities to be established... Adapted from the award-winning board game from Tabletop Tycoon, Everdell is a fantastical city building game combining worker placement and strategic card play to create a new civilization. Gather resources to build fanciful Constructions and recruit colorful Critters to make your city thrive. Each card in your city scores points, and after four seasons have passed the highest-scoring city wins! Face off against other founders in cross-platform multiplayer games, or test your civic wits with AI play and Solo Challenges! On each turn, you'll take one of three actions: 1.) Place a Worker. Send one of your helpful workers out into the valley to gather resources! Berries, Twigs, Resin, Pebbles...and of course Cards! You'll need them all to help your new civilization grow. 2.) Play a Card. Your city can hold up to 15 Construction and Critter cards. Cards generate resources, open up new abilities, and score points to win the game! Discover combos and synergies to race past your opponents. 3.) Prepare for the Next Season. When the seasons change, your workers come home and get ready for the next round. But plan your city carefully! After four seasons, the Winter Moon returns and the game will end. There are buildings to construct, lively characters to meet, events to host— you will have a busy year ahead of you! Will the sun shine brightest on your city before the winter moon rises? Welcome to Everdell!

Screenshots

Codenames4 screens
Everdell4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Codenames at none against Everdell's 2. Codenames also leads on price ($4.99 vs $9.99). Everdell's advantage is review sentiment (76% vs 66%). On rating, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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 Everdell $9.99 up front. Everdell sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Codenames asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Codenames against 4.8 for Everdell. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.1K and 2.7K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 66% of Codenames's written reviews are positive against 76% of Everdell's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, Everdell every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 12, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Codenames versus Everdell: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCodenamesEverdell
Price$4.99 — better$9.99
Rating4.7 (1.1K ratings)4.8 (2.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.4% of reviews76.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.1K2.7K — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#12 — better#21
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size221 MB384 MB
Age rating9++4
DeveloperCGE Digital s.r.o.Dire Wolf Digital

Customer experience

Codenames

All ratings1,129 ratings
Positive93.4%
Neutral2.6%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews441 reviews
Positive66.4%
Neutral14.5%
Negative19.0%

Everdell

All ratings2,686 ratings
Positive96.2%
Neutral1.5%
Negative2.2%
Written reviews308 reviews
Positive76.0%
Neutral11.0%
Negative13.0%

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

Everdell

From 2.7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Smooth and seamless gameplay
  • 🎨 Beautiful visuals and animations
  • 🎶 Soothing soundtrack
  • 🕹️ Faithful digital adaptation of the board game
  • 🏆 Challenging and enjoyable solo challenges

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
  • 📱 Small text and UI elements on mobile devices
  • 🔙 Lack of undo/cancel functionality
  • 🤖 AI opponent issues (e.g., auto-regenerating critters)

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

Everdell

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Inability to play certain cards or use locations
  • Game freezes or crashes during online play
  • Incorrect scoring or card interactions
  • Placement issues with workers and cards

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for expansions and additional content
  • Allow players to choose their character/critter
  • Implement a confirm/undo button for actions
  • Improve zoom and readability on smaller screens
  • Add push notifications for online games

In-app purchases

None

Codenames

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Everdell

One-time2
  • Glimmergold$5.99
  • Bellfaire$8.99

Questions

Is Codenames free?
Codenames costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Everdell free?
Everdell costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Codenames or Everdell?
Everdell is rated higher. Codenames averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Everdell averages 4.8 from 2.7K ratings.
Do Codenames or Everdell have ads?
Neither Codenames nor Everdell shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Codenames or Everdell?
Codenames ships an update fortnightly, and Everdell every 3 weeks. Most recently, Codenames was updated on October 12, 2026 and Everdell on October 12, 2026.
Which is more popular, Codenames or Everdell?
Codenames currently peaks at #12 in the App Store charts, and Everdell at #21. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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