Comparison

Typeshift vs Bonza Phrases

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Typeshift

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
Read full description

From the creator of SpellTower, comes a new and completely original word game! Anagrams meets Word Search, with a sprinkle of Crosswords. Typeshift is the modern anagram puzzle; re-imagined from the ground up, combining wordplay, modern game design, and a mobile-first approach. In most anagram games, you search for new combinations within a single word, but in Typeshift, you search within three to five words stacked & scrambled up together. Shift columns of letters up and down as you try to spell words in the center row. Play continues until you have used all letters in a puzzle at least once. Special Clue Puzzles combine Crosswords with Anagrams as you match clever clues provided by Typeshift's various puzzle authors. - Daily Word Game Play with Global Leaderboards - Typeshift features a free daily challenge with global leaderboards. The easiest challenge for the week appears on Monday, and progressively more challenging puzzles build throughout the week. Compare your fastest Typeshift daily solving times with players around the globe! ------WHAT CRITICS ARE SAYING "Addictive and edifying, like popping a special kind of bubble wrap that expands your vocabulary.” - The Verge "Typeshift is a unmissable entry to the [word] genre." Gold Award. - Pocket Gamer "Typeshift is f*cking awesome" - Giant Bombcast "The Word Puzzle Game You've Been Waiting For" - Waypoint "Well worth your time" - Sixcolors ------WHATS IN THE “BOX”? Typeshift comes with over a hundred free puzzles, with more coming soon, plus new free daily puzzles every day. Additional puzzle packs may be purchased in-app. Purchasing any puzzle pack removes ads, and unlocks themes & detailed statistics. ------A WORD FROM THE DEVELOPER Typeshift continues my quest to re-imagine classic newspaper games in the digital era. Where SpellTower tackled word search and Really Bad Chess handled chess puzzles, Typeshift re-examines Anagrams and Crosswords. Typeshift has been a joy to develop, and I hope you have as much fun playing it as I had making it. As always, thanks so much for your support! -zach

About

Bonza Phrases

Engage in a casual word puzzle game that tests your knowledge of proverbs and idioms. Solve daily puzzles and participate in weekly themed events. Submit your own puzzle ideas for a chance to be featured.

Highlights
  • Complete phrases by joining pieces
  • Daily topical puzzles
  • Weekly themed events
  • Submit your own puzzle ideas
  • Linear level progression
  • Rewarding learning experience
Features
Read full description

This word puzzle game celebrates proverbs, idioms, and figures of speech that have become part of everyday language. Join the pieces to complete the phrase, it's a piece of cake! From the makers of Bonza Word Puzzle. "Bonza puzzles are instantly addictive!" - Will Shortz, Crossword Editor, The New York Times Bonza Phrases is a casual word puzzle game for mobile. Players will appreciate the clear and simple approach, suitable for the whole family. Bonza Phrases is designed to be a rewarding learning experience. Much like other games in the Bonza series, players will find insight and inspiration from the puzzle content. The game follows a classic linear level progression, with new chapters unlocked over time. The daily puzzle features topical content throughout the year. Players are also encouraged to submit their own puzzle ideas that could feature as an upcoming daily puzzle. Weekly events are updated every Saturday with themes like “90's movies” and “Shakespearean quotes”. This game will be periodically updated with fresh content and new features.

Screenshots

Typeshift4 screens
Bonza Phrases4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Bonza Phrases at 4.7 against Typeshift's 4.3. Bonza Phrases also leads on review sentiment (72% vs 50%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

Both are free to download. Typeshift sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Bonza Phrases sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Bonza Phrases holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 499 and 452 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Typeshift's written reviews are positive against 72% of Bonza Phrases's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Typeshift ships an update every 6 weeks, Bonza Phrases every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Typeshift versus Bonza Phrases: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTypeshiftBonza Phrases
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (499 ratings)4.7 (452 ratings) — better
Positive reviews49.6% of reviews71.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings499 — better452
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.014.0
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB189 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperZach GageMinimega

Customer experience

Typeshift

All ratings497 ratings
Positive80.9%
Neutral7.8%
Negative11.3%
Written reviews228 reviews
Positive49.6%
Neutral17.1%
Negative33.3%

Bonza Phrases

All ratings446 ratings
Positive92.8%
Neutral4.5%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews78 reviews
Positive71.8%
Neutral9.0%
Negative19.2%

User reviews

Typeshift

From 499 App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

Bonza Phrases

From 452 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Engaging gameplay
  • 👍 Clever word puzzles
  • 🎨 Visually appealing design
  • 🧠 Mentally stimulating

Room to improve

  • 🕰️ Long wait times between levels
  • 💰 Excessive ads
  • 🐛 Bugs and incorrect information
  • 🔒 Locked out of game for extended periods

Bugs and requests

Typeshift

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

5 requests
  • 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

Bonza Phrases

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Incorrect holiday information in puzzles
  • Compatibility issues on tablets
  • Coins disappearing across devices

Requested features

3 requests
  • More levels and content updates
  • Weekly game mode to be reinstated
  • Option to remove ads for a fee

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Typeshift

One-time10
  • Chocolate Puzzle Pack$0.99
  • Peppermint Puzzle Pack$0.99
  • Pecan Clue Puzzle Pack$1.99
Show 7 more
  • Walnut Clue Puzzle Pack$1.99
  • Parmesan Clue Puzzle Pack$1.99
  • Umami Clue Puzzle Pack$1.99
  • Pistachio Clue Puzzle Pack$1.99
  • Starter Bundle$1.99
  • Sophomore Bundle$1.99
  • Gumshoe Clue Bundle$3.99
9 purchases

Bonza Phrases

One-time9
  • Basic Stack$1.99
  • Value Stack$4.99
  • 30 Days no ads$4.99
Show 6 more
  • Remove ads$5.99
  • Welcome Bundle$5.99
  • Value Bundle$8.99
  • Limited time offer$8.99
  • Mega Stack$9.99
  • Super Stack$29.99

Questions

Is Typeshift free?
Typeshift is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bonza Phrases free?
Bonza Phrases is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Typeshift or Bonza Phrases?
Bonza Phrases is rated higher. Typeshift averages 4.3 out of 5 from 499 ratings, while Bonza Phrases averages 4.7 from 452 ratings.
Do Typeshift or Bonza Phrases have ads?
Both Typeshift and Bonza Phrases show ads.
Which is updated more often, Typeshift or Bonza Phrases?
Typeshift ships an update every 6 weeks, and Bonza Phrases every 4 weeks. Most recently, Typeshift was updated on October 24, 2026 and Bonza Phrases on October 25, 2026.

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