# Codenames vs Ticket to Ride®

Codenames and Ticket to Ride® both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 66% of Codenames's written reviews are positive against 31% of Ticket to Ride®'s. Codenames also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 26). Ticket to Ride®'s advantage is ratings volume (12K vs 1.1K). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Codenames costs $4.99 and Ticket to Ride® $4.99 up front. Ticket to Ride® sells 25 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 4.6 for Ticket to Ride®. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ticket to Ride® has 12K ratings behind it against 1.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 66% of Codenames's written reviews are positive against 31% of Ticket to Ride®'s.

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, Ticket to Ride® monthly. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Codenames | Ticket to Ride® |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | $4.99 |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codenames/id1055650930/reviews)** | [4.6 (12K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ticket-to-ride/id6463616555/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1.1K | **12K** |
| Positive reviews | **66.1% of reviews** | 30.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | #13 | **#5** |
| Size | 221 MB | 915 MB |
| 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:** #13 Top Paid · Board, #17 Top Paid · Puzzle, #142 Top Paid · Games (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


### Ticket to Ride®

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ticket-to-ride/id6463616555)

**Currently charting:** #5 Top Paid · Board, #7 Top Paid · Family, #64 Top Paid · Games, #83 Top Grossing · Family, #107 Top Paid, #137 Top Grossing · Board (US App Store)

Embark on a digital train adventure connecting cities across various countries. Compete with players worldwide, friends, or AI in this classic board game adaptation. Enjoy strategic gameplay with multiple modes, including asynchronous play and local couch co-op.

**Highlights:** Online multiplayer with global matchmaking, Asynchronous play for busy schedules, Single-player mode against advanced AI, Local couch play option, Strategic route building and ticket completion, Multiple country maps and expansions

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

**In-app purchases (25)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bertie Hawkes | $1.99 | one-time |
| Rocket Locomotive | $1.99 | one-time |
| Erika Ford | $1.99 | one-time |
| Lumberjack Carriage | $1.99 | one-time |
| Oil Baron carriage | $1.99 | one-time |
| Dolomite Dynamite | $1.99 | one-time |
| Mina Larsen | $1.99 | one-time |
| Morten Jensen | $1.99 | one-time |
| Europe Character Bundle | $2.99 | one-time |
| 1910 Ticket Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Ticket to Ride ChristmasBundle | $4.99 | one-time |
| Nordic Map | $6.99 | one-time |
| San Francisco Map | $6.99 | one-time |
| Legendary Asia Map | $6.99 | one-time |
| India Map | $6.99 | one-time |
| Nordic Expansion | $7.99 | one-time |
| India Expansion | $7.99 | one-time |
| Legendary Asia Expansion | $7.99 | one-time |
| Japan Expansion | $7.99 | one-time |
| San Francisco City Expansion | $7.99 | one-time |
| Heart of Africa Expansion | $7.99 | one-time |
| Switzerland Expansion Bundle | $7.99 | one-time |
| Europe Map | $8.99 | one-time |
| Europe Expansion | $9.99 | one-time |
| Round the World Ticket | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 🎨 Nice graphics
- ⏱️ Rapid play mode
- 🤝 Multiplayer functionality

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔍 Difficulty seeing routes and trains
- 🎨 Confusing color schemes
- 🕰️ Slow animations
- 💰 Expensive expansion packs

**Reported bugs**

- Game freezing and crashing mid-game
- Incorrect scoring and card distribution
- Inability to rejoin interrupted games

**Requested features**

- Offline/local multiplayer mode
- Ranking/progression system
- Customizable UI/color options
- Ability to share purchased expansions
- In-game chat and notifications


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Codenames free?

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

### Is Ticket to Ride® free?

Ticket to Ride® costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Codenames or Ticket to Ride®?

Codenames is rated higher. Codenames averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Ticket to Ride® averages 4.6 from 12K ratings.

### Do Codenames or Ticket to Ride® have ads?

Neither Codenames nor Ticket to Ride® shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Codenames or Ticket to Ride®?

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, and Ticket to Ride® monthly. Most recently, Codenames was updated on September 23, 2026 and Ticket to Ride® on September 23, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Codenames or Ticket to Ride®?

Codenames currently peaks at #13 in the App Store charts, and Ticket to Ride® at #5. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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