# Countdown Game & Solver vs Cracking the Cryptic

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Countdown Game & Solver at none against Cracking the Cryptic's 13. Countdown Game & Solver also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (86% vs 72%). Cracking the Cryptic's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (208 vs 40). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Countdown Game & Solver asks for nothing beyond the download.

Countdown Game & Solver holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cracking the Cryptic has 208 ratings behind it against 40, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of Countdown Game & Solver's written reviews are positive against 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Countdown Game & Solver | Cracking the Cryptic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (40 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-game-and-solver/id1394219228/reviews)** | [4.4 (208 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 40 | **208** |
| Positive reviews | **85.7% of reviews** | 72.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 19 MB | 234 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lawrence Anthony](https://appshunter.io/developer/1064198829) | [Nick Carney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434235673) |

## What reviewers say

### Countdown Game & Solver

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-game-and-solver/id1394219228)

Experience the "Numbers" round of a popular TV game show as a tile-based puzzle game. Solve arithmetic challenges by combining numbered tiles to reach a target number. Includes a powerful solver to find all possible solutions and share your progress with friends.

**Highlights:** Numbers game show rounds, Tile-based arithmetic puzzle, Universal solution solver, Millions of starting configurations, Share accomplishments via Messages, Runs on iPhone and iPad

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, iMessage stickers, 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 Countdown Game & Solver free?

Countdown Game & Solver 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, Countdown Game & Solver or Cracking the Cryptic?

Countdown Game & Solver is rated higher. Countdown Game & Solver averages 4.7 out of 5 from 40 ratings, while Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 from 208 ratings.

### Do Countdown Game & Solver or Cracking the Cryptic have ads?

Countdown Game & Solver shows ads; Cracking the Cryptic does not.

### Which is updated more often, Countdown Game & Solver or Cracking the Cryptic?

Countdown Game & Solver ships an update every 3 weeks, and Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. Most recently, Countdown Game & Solver was updated on September 19, 2026 and Cracking the Cryptic on September 30, 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.*