Comparison

Learn Cryptic Crosswords vs Retro Nibble

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

Head to head
About

Learn Cryptic Crosswords

Master the art of cryptic crosswords with this interactive guide. It breaks down clue types, offers step-by-step learning through six chapters, and includes practice exercises and puzzles to build your solving skills.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step clue explanations
  • Interactive exercises
  • Practice puzzles
  • Skill development guidance
  • Reference tools
Features
Read full description

Learn how to solve cryptic crosswords with this interactive app, starting with the basic ideas and easiest types of clue. Learn cryptic crosswords consists of six chapters that take you step by step through every aspect of solving cryptic clues. How each type of clue works is clearly explained and supported by examples, with simple diagrams to illustrate key ideas. Each topic is followed by interactive exercises and practice clues designed to reinforce the learning points, and each chapter ends with a practice puzzle to consolidate your learning. The final chapter explains how to develop your solving skills further. It ends with a selection of newspaper puzzles and is followed by an extensive set of reference tools to use when solving. Cryptic crosswords are fun to do and give the brain a good work out, exercising the memory and thinking skills, making new connections and extending vocabulary and general knowledge. Learn cryptic crosswords will lead you to an enjoyable and stimulating new pastime.

About

Retro Nibble

Features
Read full description

RETRO NIBBLE — Test your tech history IQ Think you know the machines, software and moments that built the digital world? Retro Nibble challenges you across four fast-playing modes packed with neon nostalgia. PIXEL MODE A legendary game is hiding behind a pixelated blur. Reveal it bit by bit — the fewer pixels you need, the higher your score. From the Atari 2600 to the Game Boy and beyond. TIMELINE Eight tech milestones. One correct order. Drag the cards into chronological sequence and lock them in. Apple II, World Wide Web, first iPhone — can you sort them without looking it up? FAKE TECH Real invention or total fabrication? Each round throws you a tech "fact" and you have to decide — did this actually happen, or did someone make it up? Some of the real ones are wilder than the fakes. DAILY QUIZ A fresh set of four-choice questions every day. Compete against the clock, use a hint if you're stuck, and keep your streak alive. Miss a day and the streak resets — no mercy. HOW IT PLAYS • All four modes are completely free to play • Hints are available in every mode — first one free, earn more by watching a short ad • Sign in with Apple or email to save your progress, or play as a guest • Clean neon-on-dark interface designed to feel like the era it celebrates Whether you lived through the 8-bit era or you're just discovering it, Retro Nibble is the tech history quiz that doesn't take itself too seriously. Boot up. Play. Score.

Screenshots

Learn Cryptic Crosswords4 screens
Retro Nibble4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Learn Cryptic Crosswords at none against Retro Nibble's shown. Learn Cryptic Crosswords also leads on device support (3 vs 1). Retro Nibble's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 9 months). On price, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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. Learn Cryptic Crosswords sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Retro Nibble sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Learn Cryptic Crosswords ships an update every 9 months, Retro Nibble every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Learn Cryptic Crosswords versus Retro Nibble: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLearn Cryptic CrosswordsRetro Nibble
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (448 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews95.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings448 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB6 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperTeazelKarl Hadman

Bugs and requests

Learn Cryptic Crosswords

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Menu button freezing the app
  • Inability to fill in answers directly

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to take notes within the app
  • Integrated anagram solver and reference tools
  • Option to skip ahead to practice puzzles

Retro Nibble

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Learn Cryptic Crosswords

One-time3
  • Discount price$2.99
  • Access to every chapter2 variants$3.99
  • Access to every chapter$4.99
1 purchases

Retro Nibble

One-time1
  • Ad-Free Mode$2.99

Questions

Is Learn Cryptic Crosswords free?
Learn Cryptic Crosswords is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Retro Nibble free?
Retro Nibble is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Learn Cryptic Crosswords or Retro Nibble have ads?
Retro Nibble shows ads; Learn Cryptic Crosswords does not.
Which is updated more often, Learn Cryptic Crosswords or Retro Nibble?
Learn Cryptic Crosswords ships an update every 9 months, and Retro Nibble every 10 days. Most recently, Learn Cryptic Crosswords was updated on October 15, 2026 and Retro Nibble on October 10, 2026.

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