Comparison

Eterna vs Cracking the Cryptic

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

Head to head
About

Eterna

Engage in a citizen science game to design RNA molecules for medical research. Solve puzzles to unlock lab access and contribute to inventing new medicines through challenges.

Highlights
  • Design RNA molecules
  • Solve scientific puzzles
  • Participate in medical research
  • Invent new medicines
  • Unlock lab access
Features
Read full description

Eterna is a citizen science game where players learn to design RNA molecules for medical research by solving puzzles. Complete introductory puzzles to unlock lab access and participate in challenges where you can invent medicine!

About

Cracking the Cryptic

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
Read full description

OUR NEWEST PACK – CLASSIC VOLUME #2! Classic sudoku is where it all began, and there is still lots of skill to be deployed to solve classic puzzles, and new techniques to be explored. Nikoli, the Japanese puzzle house, named and popularised sudoku from 1984, and we have commissioned 20 puzzles from them for this Classic Sudoku 2 app. We have also created 20 ourselves, and sourced 20 more from Sam Cappleman-Lynes, the brilliant British sudoku expert. The result is a wonderful 60-puzzle pack which will delight and challenge you. -------------------- Welcome to the brand new Sudoku app from the most popular Sudoku channel, Cracking The Cryptic. Unlike other Sudoku apps, we feature handcrafted and curated puzzles from the world’s best Sudoku constructors. Each collection features puzzles made by various authors that are now familiar names to those who follow the channel. Authors like Phistomefel, Clover, Sam Cappleman-Lynes, Christoph Seeliger, Richard Stolk, jovi_al, Qodec, Prasanna Seshadri and of course, Simon and Mark! Downloading Cracking the Cryptic will give you access to our first free collection – a variety pack by Prasanna Seshadri featuring 7 puzzles inspired from our previous Sudoku apps; Sandwich, Classic, Chess, Thermo, Miracle, Killer and Arrow Sudoku. We also have purchasable packs designed for all skill levels and featuring many unique variants not seen previously. We’ll be releasing more free and paid packs in the future so keep an eye on the app for more Sudoku content from Cracking The Cryptic!

Screenshots

Eterna4 screens
Cracking the Cryptic4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Cracking the Cryptic at 4.4 against Eterna's 3.7. Cracking the Cryptic also leads on review sentiment (72% vs 33%) and ratings volume (210 vs 15). Eterna's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. Cracking the Cryptic sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Eterna asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Cracking the Cryptic holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cracking the Cryptic has 210 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Eterna's written reviews are positive against 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Eterna versus Cracking the Cryptic: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEternaCracking the Cryptic
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (15 ratings)4.4 (210 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews72.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings15210 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size188 MB234 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperVital Mind MediaNick Carney

Customer experience

Eterna

All ratings15 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral11.1%
Negative55.6%

Cracking the Cryptic

All ratings208 ratings
Positive84.1%
Neutral6.3%
Negative9.6%
Written reviews147 reviews
Positive72.1%
Neutral13.6%
Negative14.3%

Bugs and requests

Eterna

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Cracking the Cryptic

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 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

5 requests
  • 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

In-app purchases

None

Eterna

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Cracking the Cryptic

One-time10
  • CTC Worms - James Sinclair$0.99
  • CTC Worms - Marty Sears$0.99
  • CTC Worms - Michael Lefkowitz$1.99
Show 7 more
  • GAS Volume #1$2.99
  • GAS Volume #2$2.99
  • CTC Approachable Sudoku #1$2.99
  • Domino Sudoku Pack$4.99
  • Lines Variety Pack$4.99
  • Classic Volume #2$4.99
  • CTC Fog Pack #1$4.99

Questions

Is Eterna free?
Eterna 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, Eterna or Cracking the Cryptic?
Cracking the Cryptic is rated higher. Eterna averages 3.7 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 from 210 ratings.
Do Eterna or Cracking the Cryptic have ads?
Neither Eterna nor Cracking the Cryptic shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Eterna or Cracking the Cryptic?
Eterna ships an update every 3 weeks, and Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. Most recently, Eterna was updated on November 3, 2026 and Cracking the Cryptic on November 3, 2026.

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