# Codenames vs Exploding Kittens® 2

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Codenames at none against Exploding Kittens® 2's 20. Exploding Kittens® 2's advantage is ratings volume (3.7K vs 1.1K). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Codenames costs $4.99 and Exploding Kittens® 2 $4.99 up front. Exploding Kittens® 2 sells 20 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 Exploding Kittens® 2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.1K and 3.7K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 66% of Codenames's written reviews are positive against 60% of Exploding Kittens® 2's.

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, Exploding Kittens® 2 every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Codenames | Exploding Kittens® 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | $4.99 |
| Rating | [4.7 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codenames/id1055650930/reviews) | **[4.8 (3.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exploding-kittens-2/id6478287619/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1.1K | **3.7K** |
| Positive reviews | **66.1% of reviews** | 59.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | #15 | **#9** |
| Size | 221 MB | 443 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 9+ |
| 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:** #15 Top Paid · Board, #21 Top Paid · Puzzle, #159 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


### Exploding Kittens® 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exploding-kittens-2/id6478287619)

**Currently charting:** #9 Top Paid · Card, #13 Top Paid · Board, #146 Top Paid · Games (US App Store)

Experience the chaotic fun of a popular card game with friends. This digital version features customizable avatars, animated cards, and new ways to play, including the highly requested "Nope" card. Engage in quick rounds of strategy and luck to be the last player standing.

**Highlights:** Customizable avatars, Emoji reactions, Multiple game modes, Animated cards, Online multiplayer, AI opponent

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

**In-app purchases (20)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Santa Claws Card Back | $0.99 | one-time |
| Mystic Mayhem Card Back | $0.99 | one-time |
| Beach Day Emoji Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Beach Day Card back | $0.99 | one-time |
| Kitchen Chaos Emoji Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Kitchen Chaos Card Back | $0.99 | one-time |
| Mystic Mayhem Emoji Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| MysticMayhem Cauldron Creature | $1.99 | one-time |
| Glenn Coco | $1.99 | one-time |
| Sea Rat Outfit | $1.99 | one-time |
| Beach Day Location | $1.99 | one-time |
| Slice of Heaven Outfit | $1.99 | one-time |
| Yucky Buddy Outfit | $1.99 | one-time |
| Kitchen Chaos Location | $1.99 | one-time |
| Santa Claws Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Mystic Mayhem Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| Beach Day Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| Kitchen Chaos Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| Sun and Spice Bundle | $7.99 | one-time |
| Explosive Expansions Pass | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast-paced gameplay
- 👍 Charming animations and visuals
- 🤩 Engaging and fun experience
- 🎨 Customizable skins and backgrounds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- ⏱️ Slow animations and gameplay
- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
- 🤖 Unresponsive AI opponents

**Reported bugs**

- Nope card not functioning properly
- Leaderboard not updating correctly
- Inability to leave a game after losing
- Forced account creation for online play

**Requested features**

- Add a turn timer to prevent stalling
- Allow custom deck creation and configuration
- Improve online multiplayer stability and matchmaking
- Bring back the original game's sound effects and personality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Codenames free?

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

### Is Exploding Kittens® 2 free?

Exploding Kittens® 2 costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Codenames or Exploding Kittens® 2?

Exploding Kittens® 2 is rated higher. Codenames averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Exploding Kittens® 2 averages 4.8 from 3.7K ratings.

### Do Codenames or Exploding Kittens® 2 have ads?

Neither Codenames nor Exploding Kittens® 2 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Codenames or Exploding Kittens® 2?

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, and Exploding Kittens® 2 every 2 weeks. Most recently, Codenames was updated on September 23, 2026 and Exploding Kittens® 2 on September 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Codenames or Exploding Kittens® 2?

Codenames currently peaks at #15 in the App Store charts, and Exploding Kittens® 2 at #9. 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.*