# Typeshift vs Downwordly

The clearest difference is ads: Downwordly at none against Typeshift's shown. Downwordly also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 6 weeks) and rating (4.7 vs 4.3). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Typeshift sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Downwordly sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Downwordly holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 497 and 756 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 49% of Typeshift's written reviews are positive against 74% of Downwordly's.

Typeshift ships an update every 6 weeks, Downwordly every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Typeshift | Downwordly |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (497 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/typeshift/id1084762137/reviews) | **[4.7 (756 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/downwordly/id1544633266/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 497 | **756** |
| Positive reviews | 49.3% of reviews | **74.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 72 MB | 90 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Zach Gage](https://appshunter.io/developer/294263418) | [Bird Cartel LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1532844907) |

## What reviewers say

### Typeshift

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/typeshift/id1084762137)

This word puzzle game challenges you to unscramble letters within stacked words to form new words in the center row. It offers daily challenges with global leaderboards and special clue-based puzzles. Unlock additional content and remove ads with in-app purchases.

**Highlights:** Anagram and word search mechanics, Shift letter columns to spell words, Daily challenges with leaderboards, Special clue puzzles, Unlockable puzzle packs, Themes and statistics

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Chocolate Puzzle Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Peppermint Puzzle Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pecan Clue Puzzle Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Walnut Clue Puzzle Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Parmesan Clue Puzzle Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Umami Clue Puzzle Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Pistachio Clue Puzzle Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Starter Bundle | $1.99 | one-time |
| Sophomore Bundle | $1.99 | one-time |
| Gumshoe Clue Bundle | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Challenging and fun
- 👍 Unique and innovative game concept
- ⭐ Great brain workout
- 🎨 Elegant and minimalistic design
- 📚 Helps expand vocabulary

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
- 🔍 Obscure/uncommon words used
- 🔇 Intrusive ads
- 🐛 Crashes and freezes
- ⚠️ Compatibility issues with newer devices

**Reported bugs**

- Puzzle timer inaccuracies
- Purchased content not restoring properly
- Letters not registering correctly
- Puzzles not displaying properly on some devices

**Requested features**

- More clue puzzles and puzzle packs
- Option to reset/replay completed puzzle packs
- Sync progress across devices
- Support for British/Australian English
- Built-in dictionary with better word definitions


### Downwordly

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/downwordly/id1544633266)

A word building game where you strategically use available letters to form the longest possible words. Engage in turn-based multiplayer or test your skills in various solo modes, including daily challenges and puzzle-solving.

**Highlights:** Word building with limited letters, Turn-based multiplayer, Solo play modes, Daily challenges, Puzzle mode, Leaderboards

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Multiplayer+ | $1.99 | one-time |
| Layer Two | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun games
- 🚀 Unique and challenging
- 👍 Visually pleasing
- 👍 Relaxing and strategic
- 👍 Addictive and engaging

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes when offline
- 🐛 Multiplayer issues
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🐛 Confusing tutorial
- 🐛 Certain puzzles unsolvable

**Reported bugs**

- Multiplayer games not showing up correctly
- Rewind arrow causing game to get stuck
- Puzzle mode issues with overlapping words
- Endless mode not dropping enough letters

**Requested features**

- Auto-orientation for iPad
- Dark theme option
- Leaderboards for Endless mode
- Hints for Puzzle mode
- Ability to restart Daily Challenge


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Typeshift free?

Typeshift is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Downwordly free?

Downwordly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Typeshift or Downwordly?

Downwordly is rated higher. Typeshift averages 4.3 out of 5 from 497 ratings, while Downwordly averages 4.7 from 756 ratings.

### Do Typeshift or Downwordly have ads?

Typeshift shows ads; Downwordly does not.

### Which is updated more often, Typeshift or Downwordly?

Typeshift ships an update every 6 weeks, and Downwordly every 4 days. Most recently, Typeshift was updated on September 25, 2026 and Downwordly on September 5, 2026.

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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.*