# Crossword+ vs Crossword Explorer

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Crossword+ at 83% against Crossword Explorer's 35%. Crossword+ also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 5 weeks). Crossword Explorer's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (69K vs 12K). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and chart position there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Crossword+ sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Crossword Explorer sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Crossword Explorer holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Crossword Explorer has 69K ratings behind it against 12K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 83% of Crossword+'s written reviews are positive against 35% of Crossword Explorer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Crossword+ ships an update every 10 days, Crossword Explorer every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Crossword+ | Crossword Explorer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (12K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-plus/id1330947092/reviews) | **[4.9 (69K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-explorer/id1512407890/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 12K | **69K** |
| Positive reviews | **83.5% of reviews** | 35.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #127 | **#58** |
| Size | 49 MB | 374 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PuzzleStar Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/603054453) | [PlaySimple Games Pte Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1189416142) |

## What reviewers say

### Crossword+

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-plus/id1330947092)

**Currently charting:** #127 Top Grossing · Word, #164 Top Free · Word (US App Store)

Start your day with two new themed crossword puzzles daily, ranging from classic literature to movie magic. Enjoy a satisfying yet gentle challenge, with helpful hints and auto-check features. Solve puzzles offline and adjust text size for a comfortable, ad-free experience.

**Highlights:** Two new themed puzzles daily, Over 3,000 puzzles in archive, Helpful hints and AutoCheck, Offline play supported, Ad-free experience, Adjustable text size

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $7.49 | per month |
| Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $37.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $37.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🧠 Brain-stimulating puzzles
- 🎯 Variety of themes and difficulty levels
- ✨ Enjoyable and challenging experience
- 🧠 Helps keep the mind active
- 🕰️ Daily puzzles provide a routine activity

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription model can be expensive
- 🐛 Occasional errors in puzzle clues or answers
- 🤔 Some puzzles may be too difficult for casual users
- 🕰️ Limited number of free puzzles per month

**Reported bugs**

- Freezing or crashing issues for some users
- Subscription not always working as expected

**Requested features**

- Search function to find puzzles by topic
- More difficulty levels to cater to all skill levels
- Ability to track progress and stats over time


### Crossword Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-explorer/id1512407890)

**Currently charting:** #58 Top Free · Word, #62 Top Grossing · Word (US App Store)

Engage your mind with a vast collection of daily crossword puzzles. Offers endless challenges, daily rewards, and progress tracking. Customize your experience with themes and utilize hints to improve your wordplay skills.

**Highlights:** Endless crossword puzzles, Daily challenges and rewards, Progress tracking and achievements, Customizable themes and backgrounds, Hints and tips for assistance, Educational vocabulary building

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Basic Piggy! | $1.49 | one-time |
| Pack of 300 coins | $2.99 | one-time |
| Mini Coin Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Pack of 550 coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| Bronze Piggy! | $5.99 | one-time |
| Regular Coin Pack | $6.99 | one-time |
| Pack of 1150 coins | $9.99 | one-time |
| Silver Piggy! | $9.99 | one-time |
| Bestselling Pack | $12.99 | one-time |
| Pack of 2400 coins | $19.99 | one-time |
| Jumbo Coin Pack | $25.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and challenging
- 👍 Keeps the mind sharp
- 🎉 Great game
- ✨ Enjoyable puzzles

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Repetitive clues and answers
- 🔋 Battery drain issues
- 💰 Too many ads, expensive to remove
- 🐛 Frequent freezing and crashes
- 🤯 Annoying audio ads during gameplay

**Reported bugs**

- Coins not properly awarded after completing puzzles
- Ads still shown even after purchasing ad-free version
- Cursor moves on its own during gameplay

**Requested features**

- Allow viewing of completed puzzles
- Add more puzzle categories and themes
- Improve accessibility for visually impaired
- Reduce cost of ad-free subscription


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Crossword+ free?

Crossword+ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Crossword Explorer free?

Crossword Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Crossword+ or Crossword Explorer?

Crossword Explorer is rated higher. Crossword+ averages 4.5 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Crossword Explorer averages 4.9 from 69K ratings.

### Do Crossword+ or Crossword Explorer have ads?

Crossword Explorer shows ads; Crossword+ does not.

### Which is updated more often, Crossword+ or Crossword Explorer?

Crossword+ ships an update every 10 days, and Crossword Explorer every 5 weeks. Most recently, Crossword+ was updated on October 30, 2026 and Crossword Explorer on October 30, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Crossword+ or Crossword Explorer?

Crossword+ currently peaks at #127 in the App Store charts, and Crossword Explorer at #58. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*