Comparison

Codenames vs the number bubble

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

the number bubble

A fun and interactive way to keep score for games with friends. Players get colorful bubbles that grow with their score, offering solo or multiplayer modes. Scores are visible on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island.

Highlights
  • Interactive score bubbles
  • Solo or multiplayer modes
  • Lock Screen and Dynamic Island integration
  • Quick room setup via code/link/QR
  • Customizable background colors
  • No ads or tracking
Features
Read full description

number bubble is the playful way to keep score for game night. Every player gets a colorful bubble that floats, bounces, and grows as their score climbs. Tap to add points, or fling a bubble just for fun. • Solo or together: keep score on one device and pass it around, or start a room and everyone joins from their own phone. • Play nearby, no internet: on a plane or off the grid? Host a game and friends nearby join over the local network. No Wi-Fi or signal required. • Start in seconds: share a code, a link, or a QR. No accounts, no sign-up. • Send points: move points from player to player, banker-style. • Always in view: your score lives on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island while you play. • Make it yours: choose the background colors for your game. Great for card games, board games, darts, trivia, sports, or any time you need to keep score with friends. No ads. No tracking. Just bubbles.

Screenshots

Codenames4 screens
the number bubble4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: the number bubble at Free against Codenames's $4.99. the number bubble also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Codenames's advantage is ratings volume (1.1K vs 3) and chart position (#13 vs unranked). On update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

the number bubble is free to download; Codenames costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

the number bubble holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Codenames has 1.1K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, the number bubble every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Codenames versus the number bubble: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCodenamesthe number bubble
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (1.1K ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.1K — better3
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 4 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#13 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size221 MB12 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperCGE Digital s.r.o.Nuri Bruner

Customer experience

Codenames

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

the number bubble

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

the number bubble

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Codenames

No in-app purchases

None

the number bubble

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Codenames free?
Codenames costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is the number bubble free?
the number bubble is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Codenames or the number bubble?
the number bubble is rated higher. Codenames averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while the number bubble averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Codenames or the number bubble have ads?
Neither Codenames nor the number bubble shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Codenames or the number bubble?
Codenames ships an update fortnightly, and the number bubble every 4 weeks. Most recently, Codenames was updated on October 12, 2026 and the number bubble on September 23, 2026.

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