# Vexed+ vs Cracking the Cryptic

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Vexed+ | Cracking the Cryptic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.4 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vexed-plus/id1298159464/reviews) | [4.4 (208 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **208** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 72.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 9 MB | 234 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sanghoon Lee](https://appshunter.io/developer/1500228954) | [Nick Carney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434235673) |

## What reviewers say

### Vexed+

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vexed-plus/id1298159464)

A modern port of the classic Vexed puzzle game, offering over 2800 challenging levels. Engage your mind with this timeless logic challenge.

**Highlights:** Classic puzzle gameplay, Over 2800 levels, Modern port, Logic challenge, Timeless game

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### 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 Vexed+ free?

Vexed+ costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Cracking the Cryptic free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Vexed+ or Cracking the Cryptic?

Vexed+ and Cracking the Cryptic are both rated 4.4 out of 5 on the App Store, from 5 and 208 ratings respectively.

### Do Vexed+ or Cracking the Cryptic have ads?

Neither Vexed+ nor Cracking the Cryptic shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Vexed+ or Cracking the Cryptic?

Vexed+ ships an update every 3 days, and Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. Most recently, Vexed+ was updated on September 28, 2026 and Cracking the Cryptic on October 14, 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.*