# Sudoku 17 vs Cracking the Cryptic

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Cracking the Cryptic at 72% against Sudoku 17's 0%. Cracking the Cryptic also leads on rating (4.4 vs 3.0) and ads (none vs shown). Sudoku 17's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 13.0). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Sudoku 17 asks for nothing beyond the download.

Cracking the Cryptic holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cracking the Cryptic has 210 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Sudoku 17's written reviews are positive against 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's.

Sudoku 17 ships an update every 12 months, Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sudoku 17 | Cracking the Cryptic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sudoku-17/id1335709135/reviews) | **[4.4 (210 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **210** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **72.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 24 MB | 234 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [梓彬 陈](https://appshunter.io/developer/1127755422) | [Nick Carney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434235673) |

## What reviewers say

### Sudoku 17

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sudoku-17/id1335709135)

This game offers an extremely challenging Sudoku experience with levels proven to have unique solutions using the minimum number of clues. It's designed for players who enjoy difficult logic puzzles and have strong reasoning skills.

**Highlights:** Minimum 17 clues for unique solutions, 49,151 challenging levels, Designed for advanced logic players, Focus on difficult game levels, Tests logical reasoning skills

**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 Sudoku 17 free?

Sudoku 17 is free to download, 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, Sudoku 17 or Cracking the Cryptic?

Cracking the Cryptic is rated higher. Sudoku 17 averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 from 210 ratings.

### Do Sudoku 17 or Cracking the Cryptic have ads?

Sudoku 17 shows ads; Cracking the Cryptic does not.

### Which is updated more often, Sudoku 17 or Cracking the Cryptic?

Sudoku 17 ships an update every 12 months, and Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. Most recently, Sudoku 17 was updated on October 7, 2026 and Cracking the Cryptic on October 24, 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.*