Vexed+ vs Cracking the Cryptic
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Vexed+
A modern port of the classic Vexed puzzle game, offering over 2800 challenging levels. Engage your mind with this timeless logic challenge.
- Classic puzzle gameplay
- Over 2800 levels
- Modern port
- Logic challenge
- Timeless game
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Vexed+ is Port of Classic puzzle game 'Vexed'. 2800+ levels are available.
Cracking the Cryptic
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.
- Handcrafted Sudoku puzzles
- Curated by expert constructors
- Classic and unique variants
- Regularly released puzzle packs
- Free introductory puzzle pack
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OUR NEWEST PACK – CLASSIC VOLUME #2! Classic sudoku is where it all began, and there is still lots of skill to be deployed to solve classic puzzles, and new techniques to be explored. Nikoli, the Japanese puzzle house, named and popularised sudoku from 1984, and we have commissioned 20 puzzles from them for this Classic Sudoku 2 app. We have also created 20 ourselves, and sourced 20 more from Sam Cappleman-Lynes, the brilliant British sudoku expert. The result is a wonderful 60-puzzle pack which will delight and challenge you. -------------------- Welcome to the brand new Sudoku app from the most popular Sudoku channel, Cracking The Cryptic. Unlike other Sudoku apps, we feature handcrafted and curated puzzles from the world’s best Sudoku constructors. Each collection features puzzles made by various authors that are now familiar names to those who follow the channel. Authors like Phistomefel, Clover, Sam Cappleman-Lynes, Christoph Seeliger, Richard Stolk, jovi_al, Qodec, Prasanna Seshadri and of course, Simon and Mark! Downloading Cracking the Cryptic will give you access to our first free collection – a variety pack by Prasanna Seshadri featuring 7 puzzles inspired from our previous Sudoku apps; Sandwich, Classic, Chess, Thermo, Miracle, Killer and Arrow Sudoku. We also have purchasable packs designed for all skill levels and featuring many unique variants not seen previously. We’ll be releasing more free and paid packs in the future so keep an eye on the app for more Sudoku content from Cracking The Cryptic!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Cracking the Cryptic at Free against Vexed+'s $0.99. Cracking the Cryptic also leads on ratings volume (208 vs 5). Vexed+'s advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks). On rating, ads and device support 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
Cracking the Cryptic is free to download; Vexed+ costs $0.99 up front. Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Vexed+ asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Vexed+ against 4.4 for Cracking the Cryptic. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cracking the Cryptic has 208 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of Vexed+'s written reviews are positive against 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's.
Vexed+ ships an update every 3 days, Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Vexed+ | Cracking the Cryptic |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.4 (5 ratings) | 4.4 (208 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 72.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 208 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 234 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sanghoon Lee | Nick Carney |
Customer experience
Vexed+
Cracking the Cryptic
Bugs and requests
Vexed+
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Cracking the Cryptic
Reported bugs
4 issues- 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
5 requests- 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
In-app purchases
Vexed+
No in-app purchases
Cracking the Cryptic
- CTC Worms - James Sinclair$0.99
- CTC Worms - Marty Sears$0.99
- CTC Worms - Zetamath$1.99
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- CTC Worms - Blobz$1.99
- CTC Worms - Michael Lefkowitz$1.99
- CTC Worms - Phistomefel$1.99
- GAS Volume #1$2.99
- GAS Volume #2$2.99
- CTC Approachable Sudoku #1$2.99
- Domino Sudoku Pack$4.99
- Lines Variety Pack$4.99
- Classic Volume #2$4.99
- CTC Fog Pack #1$4.99
Questions
Is Vexed+ free?
Is Cracking the Cryptic free?
Which has better reviews, Vexed+ or Cracking the Cryptic?
Do Vexed+ or Cracking the Cryptic have ads?
Which is updated more often, Vexed+ or Cracking the Cryptic?
Other comparisons
