# Sidewords vs Word Forward

The clearest difference is monetization model: Sidewords at free against Word Forward's paid. Sidewords also leads on ratings volume (295 vs 11) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Sidewords costs $2.99 and Word Forward $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Sidewords holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sidewords has 295 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of Sidewords's written reviews are positive against 76% of Word Forward's.

Sidewords ships an update every 2 months, Word Forward every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sidewords | Word Forward |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | $2.99 |
| Rating | **[4.7 (295 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidewords/id1223257768/reviews)** | [4.5 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-forward/id1454290016/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **295** | 11 |
| Positive reviews | **80.8% of reviews** | 76.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#86** | #120 |
| Size | 70 MB | 122 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 9.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Milkbag Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/702914608) | [Thalamus Digital Publishing Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1476360840) |

## What reviewers say

### Sidewords

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidewords/id1223257768)

**Currently charting:** #86 Top Paid · Word (US App Store)

This app offers a unique blend of logic and word puzzles with no timers or penalties. It provides hundreds of puzzles of varying difficulty, with new ones added daily, and includes a bonus game. Users can customize the color scheme to suit their mood.

**Highlights:** Logic and word puzzle blend, Hundreds of puzzles, Daily new puzzles, Bonus game included, Customizable color schemes, No timers or penalties

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun and engaging word game
- 💡 Original and creative concept
- 🧠 Keeps the brain working
- 😌 Relaxing gameplay, no time limit
- 🆓 Free to play, no ads

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❓ Confusing/lack of tutorial
- 🚫 Nonsense/unreal words accepted
- ❌ Real words sometimes rejected
- 🔠 Portrait mode only
- 🔄 Syncing between devices missing

**Reported bugs**

- Crash when clicking 'share solution'
- Applies unreal words
- Sometimes rejects real words

**Requested features**

- Improve tutorial or add clear instructions
- Sync between devices
- Add a scoring system or way to measure excellence
- Allow iPad rotation to landscape
- More puzzles/daily puzzles


### Word Forward

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-forward/id1454290016)

**Currently charting:** #120 Top Paid · Word (US App Store)

This word puzzle game challenges players to clear a 5x5 grid by forming words. It requires strategic use of every letter tile to solve 500 unique puzzles, offering an endlessly challenging brain teaser.

**Highlights:** Spell words by tracing lines, Swap letters with tokens, Jumble tiles for new letters, Change letters with modifiers, Eliminate tiles with bombs, Solve 500 puzzles

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sidewords free?

Sidewords costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Word Forward free?

Word Forward costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Sidewords or Word Forward?

Sidewords is rated higher. Sidewords averages 4.7 out of 5 from 295 ratings, while Word Forward averages 4.5 from 11 ratings.

### Do Sidewords or Word Forward have ads?

Neither Sidewords nor Word Forward shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Sidewords or Word Forward?

Sidewords ships an update every 2 months, and Word Forward every 6 weeks. Most recently, Sidewords was updated on September 23, 2026 and Word Forward on September 10, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Sidewords or Word Forward?

Sidewords currently peaks at #86 in the App Store charts, and Word Forward at #120. 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.*