# Brain Code vs Cracking the Cryptic

The clearest difference is ads: Cracking the Cryptic at none against Brain Code's shown. Cracking the Cryptic also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Brain Code's advantage is ratings volume (1K vs 208). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Brain Code sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Brain Code holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Brain Code has 1K ratings behind it against 208, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Brain Code's written reviews are positive against 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's.

Brain Code ships an update monthly, Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Brain Code | Cracking the Cryptic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brain-code-logic-puzzle-games/id1495717820/reviews)** | [4.4 (208 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1K** | 208 |
| Positive reviews | **76.8% of reviews** | 72.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 28 MB | 234 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kyrylo Kartukov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1495717819) | [Nick Carney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434235673) |

## What reviewers say

### Brain Code

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brain-code-logic-puzzle-games/id1495717820)

Engage your mind with over 50 unique logic puzzles that test your problem-solving and creative thinking. This offline game offers an immersive, command-line inspired interface and a progressive difficulty curve. It's perfect for puzzle enthusiasts and anyone looking for a mental workout.

**Highlights:** 50 unique logic puzzles, Command-line inspired interface, Multiple solutions per puzzle, Progressive difficulty, Offline play, Built-in hint system

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| pinch of tips | $0.99 | one-time |
| handful of tips | $1.99 | one-time |
| Platinum Pass | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2x handful of tips | $2.99 | one-time |
| tip fan | $4.99 | one-time |
| tip master | $6.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Challenging and creative puzzles
- 👍 Unique coding-based gameplay
- 🧠 Requires out-of-the-box thinking
- 🎨 Clean and minimalistic design
- 💡 Innovative concept

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs with ads and level progression
- 🤔 Some puzzles require too much external knowledge
- 🤯 Extremely difficult at times
- 🔍 Lack of in-game guidance or hints

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to close ads
- Level 24 equation puzzle not accepting correct answer
- Level 39 unbeatable on iPhones without back button
- Level 20 bug preventing progress

**Requested features**

- More levels and content updates
- Improved ad experience
- Walkthrough or solution guide
- Keyboard support improvements


### 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 Brain Code free?

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

### Is Cracking the Cryptic free?

Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Brain Code or Cracking the Cryptic?

Brain Code is rated higher. Brain Code averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 from 208 ratings.

### Do Brain Code or Cracking the Cryptic have ads?

Brain Code shows ads; Cracking the Cryptic does not.

### Which is updated more often, Brain Code or Cracking the Cryptic?

Brain Code ships an update monthly, and Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. Most recently, Brain Code was updated on September 24, 2026 and Cracking the Cryptic on September 21, 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.*