# Best Cryptic Crosswords vs Codewords

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Codewords at none against Best Cryptic Crosswords's 7. Codewords also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months). Best Cryptic Crosswords's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 14.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Best Cryptic Crosswords sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Codewords asks for nothing beyond the download.

Best Cryptic Crosswords ships an update every 7 months, Codewords every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Best Cryptic Crosswords | Codewords |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (314 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/best-cryptic-crosswords/id1317774772/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **314** | — |
| Positive reviews | 83.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 7 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Teazel](https://appshunter.io/developer/576525182) | [DANIEL JEREMY LEACH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1821238077) |

## What reviewers say

### Best Cryptic Crosswords

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/best-cryptic-crosswords/id1317774772)

Engage with 300 professionally crafted cryptic crosswords designed for accessibility. Enjoy a smooth puzzle experience on your devices with features like zooming, landscape mode, and helpful tools.

**Highlights:** 300 professional cryptic crosswords, 12 free puzzles, Pinch and zooming grid, Landscape mode with clue list, Cheats and answer checking, British style puzzles

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| pack of cryptic crosswords | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords | $0.99 | one-time |
| get  all 6 cryptic packs | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great puzzles
- 👍 Enjoyable challenge
- 👍 Reasonably difficult
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 👍 Good value for money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Clues with barely any connection to answers
- 🐛 Repeated clues and answers
- 🐛 Lack of explanations for clues
- 🐛 In-app purchases required to unlock more puzzles

**Reported bugs**

- Purchases disappearing after device change
- App crashing issues
- Anticipatory cursor movement causing unintended letter changes

**Requested features**

- Clue explanation feature
- More varied and challenging clues
- Ability to track completed clues
- Regular updates with new puzzle packs


### Codewords

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codewordsuk/id6747399542)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Best Cryptic Crosswords free?

Best Cryptic Crosswords is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Codewords free?

Codewords is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Best Cryptic Crosswords or Codewords have ads?

Neither Best Cryptic Crosswords nor Codewords shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Best Cryptic Crosswords or Codewords?

Best Cryptic Crosswords ships an update every 7 months, and Codewords every 3 weeks. Most recently, Best Cryptic Crosswords was updated on October 24, 2026 and Codewords 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.*