Comparison

The Big Crossword vs Cryptical

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

The Big Crossword

Engage with massive, single-grid crossword puzzles featuring over 1300 clues. Choose between quest-based or classic modes, with helpful hints and a mini-grid to guide you. Sharpen your wits with cryptic clues in this challenging brain game.

Highlights
  • Massive single-grid crosswords
  • Over 1300 clues per grid
  • Quest mode with 80+ quests
  • Classic crossword mode
  • Hint system (reveal letters, word)
  • Mini-grid navigation
  • Cryptic clues
Features
Read full description

The ultimate giant crossword puzzles! Play the world's biggest and best single grid crosswords, with over 1300 clues in every grid. The grids are all over 100 by 100 cells in size. Can you complete these epic crosswords? These themed crosswords are a fabulous brain game if you love solving challenging puzzles. Choose to solve the crosswords in two modes: - Quest mode, where each clue has been carefully crafted into a corresponding quest. There are over 80 quests to complete in each puzzle. - Classic mode where you play like an ordinary crossword The crosswords have been professionally set, and tailored to suit both US and non US markets - with any specific cultural differences noted. We only use the best crossword setters! They are epic challenges that only the best crossword solvers will be able to complete unaided. However if you're completely stumped on a clue, the game features several hints: - Reveal start and end letters - Lose unused keyboard letters - Reveal Word Each puzzle also contains 140 cryptic clues to sharpen your wits, but fear not - our 'Learn Cryptic Crosswords' app teaches you how to solve those. Or just use your Hints! The helpful 'mini grid' feature shows you where you are in the overall puzzle. The game features in-app purchases to buy coins for hints, or you can watch reward adverts instead. Periodically adverts are shown. Earn extra rewards by playing daily. Did we mention the size? They’re BIG - really BIG! A real challenge for crossword aficionados or beginners.

About

Cryptical

Features
Read full description

Want a fiendish cryptic crossword? Purchase crosswords by professional setters and use the simple, expertly designed interface to solve. Need a simpler entry to cryptics? The Cryptical Community has single clues and mini crosswords for free. Look out for the pro submissions! Fancy yourself as a crossword setter? Subscribe and you can share your own creations and join in the discussions in the Cryptical Community. Stuck on a really tough clue? Get incremental hints to get you moving again. Use the anagram helper to make hidden words stand out. If you still don't understand the wordplay after all the hints get a clear explanation of how the clue works and level up your solving. Want to collaborate on a crossword? Invite another crossword fan to join in and solve in real-time together. Use the Brainstorm in-app messaging to discuss wordplay and get in-grid notifications badges on clues. Want to get help on your daily cryptic before the answers are released? Easily capture and upload printed newspaper or magazine crosswords, with or without answers, to use the app's solving tools and generated hints. Need a break from the cryptic clues? Get an easy or challenging themed non-cryptic crossword to test your general knowledge! Download the app and get solving! Privacy Policy: www.crypticalcrosswords.com/privacy Terms of Use: www.crypticalcrosswords.com/terms

Screenshots

The Big Crossword4 screens
Cryptical4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Cryptical at none against The Big Crossword's shown. Cryptical also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). The Big Crossword's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. The Big Crossword sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Cryptical sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Big Crossword ships an update every 3 weeks, Cryptical weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
The Big Crossword versus Cryptical: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe Big CrosswordCryptical
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (43 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews82.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings43 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTeazelBenjamin Law Smith

Bugs and requests

The Big Crossword

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App freezes and becomes unresponsive after completing the third puzzle
  • App crashes after completing the third puzzle, no win screen
  • Reopening the app after a crash results in a frozen app
  • Game locks on to an ad, requiring device restart

Requested features

5 requests
  • More crosswords/puzzles
  • Landscape mode option
  • Sequel or more releases
  • Infinite scrolling puzzles
  • Ability to listen to music in background

Cryptical

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

The Big Crossword

One-time1
  • Remove adverts$2.99
10 purchases

Cryptical

One-time10
  • No. 1C by Linden$0.29
  • No. 2 by Vytautus$0.29
  • No. 3 by Vytautus$0.29
Show 7 more
  • No. 4 by Vytautus$0.29
  • Dogs by Linden$0.29
  • Mammals by Linden$0.29
  • Insects by Linden$0.29
  • No. 6 by Doc$0.49
  • Hint and explanation token top up$0.49
  • Animal-themed (x5) by Linden$0.99

Questions

Is The Big Crossword free?
The Big Crossword is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cryptical free?
Cryptical is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do The Big Crossword or Cryptical have ads?
The Big Crossword shows ads; Cryptical does not.
Which is updated more often, The Big Crossword or Cryptical?
The Big Crossword ships an update every 3 weeks, and Cryptical weekly. Most recently, The Big Crossword was updated on October 26, 2026 and Cryptical on October 25, 2026.

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