# Mathdoku Challenge! vs Cracking the Cryptic

The clearest difference is rating: Mathdoku Challenge! at 5.0 against Cracking the Cryptic's 4.4. Mathdoku Challenge! also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 72%) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 weeks). Cracking the Cryptic's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (208 vs 13). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Mathdoku Challenge! sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Mathdoku Challenge! holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cracking the Cryptic has 208 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Mathdoku Challenge!'s written reviews are positive against 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's.

Mathdoku Challenge! ships an update every 8 days, Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mathdoku Challenge! | Cracking the Cryptic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mathdoku-challenge/id1240671305/reviews)** | [4.4 (208 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 13 | **208** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 72.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 39 MB | 234 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Taylor Geisse](https://appshunter.io/developer/1240671304) | [Nick Carney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434235673) |

## What reviewers say

### Mathdoku Challenge!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mathdoku-challenge/id1240671305)

This game combines Sudoku logic with mathematical operations. Solve puzzles by filling cells with numbers that satisfy row, column, and cage constraints. Offers daily puzzles and purchasable packs to challenge your mind.

**Highlights:** Sudoku-style number placement, Mathematical cage operations, Logic-based puzzle solving, Daily new puzzles, Purchasable puzzle packs, Varying puzzle sizes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 100 Puzzles | $0.99 | one-time |
| 250 Puzzles | $1.99 | one-time |
| 500 Puzzles | $3.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Puzzles | $6.99 | one-time |


### Cracking the Cryptic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934)

This app offers a curated collection of handcrafted Sudoku puzzles from world-renowned constructors. Explore classic and unique variants, with new puzzle packs released regularly. A free introductory pack is included with download.

**Highlights:** Handcrafted Sudoku puzzles, Curated by expert constructors, Classic and unique variants, Regularly released puzzle packs, Free introductory puzzle pack

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

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CTC Worms - James Sinclair | $0.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Marty Sears | $0.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Zetamath | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Blobz | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Michael Lefkowitz | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Phistomefel | $1.99 | one-time |
| GAS Volume #1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| GAS Volume #2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| CTC Approachable Sudoku #1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Domino Sudoku Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Lines Variety Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Classic Volume #2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| CTC Fog Pack #1 | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Best sudoku app
- 👍 Great variety of puzzles
- 👍 Excellent user interface
- 👍 Challenging and fun puzzles
- 👍 Constant updates with new puzzles

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Hints are often incorrect or unhelpful
- 🐛 Bugs and crashes, especially after updates
- 🔋 Battery draining issues
- 🔒 Too many in-app purchases required to access content

**Reported bugs**

- Puzzle progress and purchases disappearing after updates
- Incorrect rules or hints in certain puzzles
- Crashes and freezes, especially on older devices or Macs
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between portrait and landscape modes

**Requested features**

- Add more color options for pencil marking and highlighting
- Implement a way to clear progress or start puzzles from scratch
- Integrate all CTC apps into a single app for better organization
- Add keyboard support, especially on Mac
- Improve the quality and clarity of hints


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Mathdoku Challenge! free?

Mathdoku Challenge! is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Cracking the Cryptic free?

Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Mathdoku Challenge! or Cracking the Cryptic?

Mathdoku Challenge! is rated higher. Mathdoku Challenge! averages 5.0 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 from 208 ratings.

### Do Mathdoku Challenge! or Cracking the Cryptic have ads?

Mathdoku Challenge! shows ads; Cracking the Cryptic does not.

### Which is updated more often, Mathdoku Challenge! or Cracking the Cryptic?

Mathdoku Challenge! ships an update every 8 days, and Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. Most recently, Mathdoku Challenge! was updated on June 1, 2026 and Cracking the Cryptic on September 21, 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.*