# Codenames vs Clue

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Codenames at none against Clue's 27. Codenames also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and chart position (#11 vs #35). Clue's advantage is ratings volume (4K vs 1.1K). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Codenames costs $4.99 and Clue $4.99 up front. Clue sells 26 one-off in-app purchases. Codenames asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Codenames against 4.8 for Clue. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.1K and 4K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 66% of Codenames's written reviews are positive against 59% of Clue's.

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, Clue every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 2, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Codenames | Clue |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | $4.99 |
| Rating | [4.7 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codenames/id1055650930/reviews) | **[4.8 (4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clue/id6447357776/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1.1K | **4K** |
| Positive reviews | **66.3% of reviews** | 59.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#11** | #35 |
| Size | 221 MB | 1.3 GB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CGE Digital s.r.o.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1706267473) | [Marmalade Game Studio Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/988365603) |

## What reviewers say

### Codenames

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

**Currently charting:** #11 Top Paid · Board, #12 Top Paid · Puzzle, #98 Top Paid · Games, #161 Top Paid (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:** none

**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


### Clue

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clue/id6447357776)

**Currently charting:** #35 Top Paid · Board, #56 Top Paid · Puzzle (US App Store)

Experience the classic murder mystery board game digitally. Gather evidence, interrogate suspects, and solve the crime. Offers multiple game modes for solo or multiplayer play.

**Highlights:** Digital board game adaptation, Gather evidence, Interrogate suspects, Solve murder mysteries, Classic and new game modes, AI and global multiplayer

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

**In-app purchases (26)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Black Adder Green | $2.99 | one-time |
| Black Adder Mustard | $2.99 | one-time |
| Black Adder Plum | $2.99 | one-time |
| Black Adder White | $2.99 | one-time |
| Black Adder Scarlet | $2.99 | one-time |
| Black Adder CaseFile Revisited | $2.99 | one-time |
| Whispering Pines White | $2.99 | one-time |
| Tropical Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Black Adder Resort Crime Scene | $4.99 | one-time |
| Winter Ball Records | $4.99 | one-time |
| Halloween Records | $4.99 | one-time |
| Noir Crime Scene Location | $4.99 | one-time |
| Whispering Pines Crime Scene | $4.99 | one-time |
| Black Adder Character Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| WhisperingPines Character Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate Edition Sale | $7.99 | one-time |
| Black Adder Resort Bundle | $12.99 | one-time |
| Whispering Pines Bundle | $12.99 | one-time |
| PolarStation Crime SceneBundle | $12.99 | one-time |
| 2016 Edition Character Pack | $14.99 | one-time |
| Welcome Offer | $19.99 | one-time |
| Clue 2 Epic Crime Collection | $25.99 | one-time |
| Clue 2 Epic Crime Collection | $27.99 | one-time |
| Clue 2 Epic Crime Collection | $29.99 | one-time |
| Clue 2 Epic Crime Collection | $34.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate Edition | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent graphics and animations
- 👍 Variety of game modes and options
- 🎨 Enjoyable character designs
- 🕹️ Fun and engaging gameplay
- 🕵️‍♀️ Challenging detective elements

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 📃 Small and hard-to-read clue sheet
- 🕹️ AI opponents not challenging enough
- 💰 Expensive DLC
- 🔀 Character token movement issues

**Reported bugs**

- Clue card progress not saving properly
- Game freezing or crashing on certain actions
- Incorrect character starting positions
- Ability to make illegal moves not prevented
- Online matchmaking not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Pass and play multiplayer mode
- Ability to customize player name
- Larger clue sheet with zoom option
- Improved tracking of completed goals/tasks
- More diverse character selection


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Codenames free?

Codenames costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Clue free?

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

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

Clue is rated higher. Codenames averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Clue averages 4.8 from 4K ratings.

### Do Codenames or Clue have ads?

Neither Codenames nor Clue shows ads.

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

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, and Clue every 2 months. Most recently, Codenames was updated on October 2, 2026 and Clue on October 2, 2026.

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

Codenames currently peaks at #11 in the App Store charts, and Clue at #35. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*