# Words Collide vs Retrogram

The clearest difference is ads: Retrogram at none against Words Collide's shown. Retrogram also leads on review sentiment (66% vs 38%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Words Collide's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.6). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Words Collide sells 19 one-off in-app purchases and Retrogram sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Words Collide holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 299 and 320 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 38% of Words Collide's written reviews are positive against 66% of Retrogram's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Words Collide ships an update every 2 months, Retrogram every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Words Collide | Retrogram |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (299 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/words-collide/id1450105874/reviews)** | [4.4 (320 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retrogram/id1537372328/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 299 | **320** |
| Positive reviews | 37.7% of reviews | **66.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 146 MB | 145 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lamington Games Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1186154557) | [in Color](https://appshunter.io/developer/1537372330) |

## What reviewers say

### Words Collide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/words-collide/id1450105874)

Engage in a clever word-building game where you arrange letters to spell words. Collaborate with friends, discover new vocabulary, and aim for high scores through strategic combos. Unlock upgrades and enjoy different game modes.

**Highlights:** Solo or cooperative play, Zen and Adventure modes, Combo construction for high scores, In-game dictionary for word learning, Letter arrangement for word spelling, Unlockable upgrades (letters, hints, combos)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (19)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sale Spectral Boutique Card | $1.99 | one-time |
| Sale Spectral Robot Card | $1.99 | one-time |
| Sale Spectral Wooden Card | $1.99 | one-time |
| Sale Banded Tennis Card | $1.99 | one-time |
| Small Coin Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Sale Spectral Gold Bar Card | $1.99 | one-time |
| Sale Shiny Candle Card | $1.99 | one-time |
| Sale Spectral Glass Card | $1.99 | one-time |
| Sale Banded Robot Card | $1.99 | one-time |
| Sale Spectral Tennis Card | $1.99 | one-time |
| Classic Boutique Card | $2.99 | one-time |
| ClassicWooden Card | $2.99 | one-time |
| Classic Glass Card | $2.99 | one-time |
| ClassicRounded Card | $2.99 | one-time |
| Classic Candle Card | $2.99 | one-time |
| Starter Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Classic Attic Background | $3.99 | one-time |
| Medium Coin Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Large Coin Pack | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Addictive gameplay
- 👍 Cute and visually appealing
- 🚀 Smooth and responsive
- 🔒 No forced ads
- 👍 Cooperative multiplayer

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Progress resets/lost
- 🐛 Buggy and unstable
- 🐛 Orientation issues
- 🐛 Unreliable word recognition
- 🐛 Confusing cascade feature

**Reported bugs**

- Game resets progress on app close
- Crashes and freezes on launch
- Inability to save progress
- Broken co-op game invitations
- Sound issues and muting

**Requested features**

- Add ability to change username
- Improve tutorial and instructions
- Implement cloud/account sync
- Add more word list options
- Improve friend/multiplayer functionality


### Retrogram

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retrogram/id1537372328)

Challenge your vocabulary with a daily word puzzle. Create as many words as possible from seven letters. Enjoy a stylish, retro-themed experience designed to sharpen your mind and introduce you to new words.

**Highlights:** Daily hand-made puzzles, Solve puzzles together via SharePlay, Apple Watch compatibility, No ads, Discover new words

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, SharePlay

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Daily Puzzle (Monthly) | $4.99 | per month |
| Daily Puzzle (Yearly) | $29.99 | per year |
| Where in the World | $3.99 | one-time |
| 80s Dinner Party | $4.99 | one-time |
| Gaming Icons | $4.99 | one-time |
| Stone Cold | $4.99 | one-time |
| Flower Power | $4.99 | one-time |
| Dear Reader | $4.99 | one-time |
| Outer Rim | $4.99 | one-time |
| Daily Puzzle (For Life) | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Retro aesthetic and clean interface design
- 👍 Simple and intuitive gameplay mechanics
- 🧠 Challenging and brain-stimulating puzzles
- 📚 Interesting word definitions and fun comments
- 🎮 Daily puzzle provides consistent engagement

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription pricing ($30-$80)
- 🚫 Misleading free-to-play model with paywall
- 📖 Inconsistent and limited word dictionary
- 🔄 Words accepted one day but rejected another
- ⏰ Only one puzzle per day (limited content)

**Reported bugs**

- Words marked as missed that were actually found
- Puzzle letters changing when spinning the wheel
- Apple Watch app no longer functioning
- Game progress deletion without explanation
- Inconsistent word acceptance across different puzzles

**Requested features**

- Access to previous/archived puzzles
- Multiple puzzles per day or puzzle difficulty levels
- Statistics tracking (completion rate, pangram frequency)
- Hint system that doesn't impact streak
- Word find rate percentages for context


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Words Collide free?

Words Collide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Retrogram free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Words Collide or Retrogram?

Words Collide is rated higher. Words Collide averages 4.7 out of 5 from 299 ratings, while Retrogram averages 4.4 from 320 ratings.

### Do Words Collide or Retrogram have ads?

Words Collide shows ads; Retrogram does not.

### Which is updated more often, Words Collide or Retrogram?

Words Collide ships an update every 2 months, and Retrogram every 3 weeks. Most recently, Words Collide was updated on September 14, 2026 and Retrogram on September 27, 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.*