# Flow Free vs Cracking the Cryptic

The clearest difference is ads: Cracking the Cryptic at none against Flow Free's shown. Cracking the Cryptic also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months). Flow Free's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (5.2K vs 208). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Flow Free sells 12 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.

Flow Free holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Flow Free has 5.2K ratings behind it against 208, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of Flow Free's written reviews are positive against 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's.

Flow Free ships an update every 5 months, Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Flow Free | Cracking the Cryptic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (5.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flow-free-warps/id1252460942/reviews)** | [4.4 (208 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **5.2K** | 208 |
| Positive reviews | **81.7% of reviews** | 72.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 64 MB | 234 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Big Duck Games LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/435664937) | [Nick Carney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434235673) |

## What reviewers say

### Flow Free

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flow-free-warps/id1252460942)

Connect matching colored pipes to create a flow across the board, ensuring no pipes cross or overlap. Solve hundreds of challenging puzzles, with new daily levels available. Enjoy a relaxing or time-trial experience with smooth controls and engaging graphics.

**Highlights:** Warp paths across the board, Connect matching colors, Cover the entire board, Hundreds of free puzzles, Daily puzzles, Time Trial mode

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

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 5 Hints | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pastel Colors | $0.99 | one-time |
| Neon Rainbow Colors | $0.99 | one-time |
| Fall Harvest Colors | $0.99 | one-time |
| Winter Chill Colors | $0.99 | one-time |
| Starter Bundle | $1.99 | one-time |
| Unlock All Themes | $1.99 | one-time |
| Comet Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Kids Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| 20 Hints | $2.99 | one-time |
| Unlock All Packs | $4.99 | one-time |
| 100 Hints | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Enjoyable puzzles
- 🧠 Challenging gameplay
- 💎 Addictive and fun
- 🎨 Beautiful colors
- 🧩 Satisfying to solve

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Puzzles can be too difficult
- 📺 Intrusive ads
- 🔇 Ads ignore sound settings
- 🔒 Progress not saved after reinstall
- 🔘 Confusing UI changes

**Reported bugs**

- Ads causing app freezes
- Inability to close ads or return to game

**Requested features**

- More levels and packs
- Ability to connect dots through warps
- Option to disable flashing/bouncing completion indicators
- Separate names for each Flow Free game
- Ability to share/compete puzzles with friends


### 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 Flow Free free?

Flow Free 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, Flow Free or Cracking the Cryptic?

Flow Free is rated higher. Flow Free averages 4.7 out of 5 from 5.2K ratings, while Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 from 208 ratings.

### Do Flow Free or Cracking the Cryptic have ads?

Flow Free shows ads; Cracking the Cryptic does not.

### Which is updated more often, Flow Free or Cracking the Cryptic?

Flow Free ships an update every 5 months, and Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. Most recently, Flow Free was updated on September 25, 2026 and Cracking the Cryptic on September 26, 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.*