Crossfix vs Action Codenames
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Crossfix
Read full descriptionHide full description
When solving a crossword, especially if it is cryptic, you will find that anagrams are a very popular clue type but they can be tricky to solve because our brains are too good at discerning patterns. We can recognize words using only the first and last letters if they have the correct number of letters inside. This means that asking our brains to scramble these letters into a completely different word is very difficult. In the days of doing crosswords in the newspaper, the best method was to find a space in the margin and write the letters out in a circle which forces the brain to reconsider the options, but when doing a crossword online or through an app, this is no longer possible. This app gives you back this ability, allowing you to see the letters in a circle, shuffle them around and even discard any extras. You can place known letters in the squares and lock them in place, then shuffle in the unknown until you can see the answer.
Action Codenames
A fast-paced, team-based word association game for parties and gatherings. Players give and guess clues based on a 5x5 grid of words, aiming to identify their team's secret words before the opposing team or hitting a losing card. Offers offline play and multiple languages.
- Team-based word association gameplay
- 5x5 grid of secret words
- Spymaster clue-giving mechanic
- Offline play support
- Multilingual options
- Built-in rules and strategy tips
Read full descriptionHide full description
Codenames is a fast, team‑based word association game built for parties, family nights, study breaks, and quick office fun. Two teams—Red and Blue—race to find all of their secret words on a 5×5 grid of 25 cards. The twist: touch the black card and you lose instantly. Each round has two roles. The Spymaster sees the entire key and gives exactly one clue: a single word plus a number. Operatives discuss and guess based on that clue. With “Animal 2”, you may guess up to three times (number + 1). Picking your color lets you continue; choosing an opponent or neutral card ends your turn; hitting the black card ends the game on the spot. Red needs 9 words; Blue needs 8. A clean, modern interface keeps everyone focused: a clear current‑turn indicator, crisp card layout, smooth animations, score cards with progress bars, and handy one‑tap controls (New Game, End Turn, View Team). The dedicated Team view lists your team’s words—revealed and remaining—so you can decide whether to press your luck or bank the lead. If the game ends, a friendly Game Over screen summarizes the result and lets you restart immediately. Built‑in rules cover the objective, setup (9/8/7/1 split), roles, “clue + number” format, restrictions, and examples. Practical tips and an advanced strategy section help Spymasters craft multi‑card clues (categories, hypernyms, shared context) and help Operatives debate links, avoid traps, and converge on the safest picks. Robust local word libraries power high replayability: fruits, vehicles, school supplies, animals, weather and nature, places and buildings, family, sports, seasons and nature, food and drinks, colors, occupations, electronics, clothing, toys and games, gems and minerals, and more. Every new game shuffles a fresh 25‑word grid with the asymmetric distribution that keeps tension high and choices meaningful. Multilingual and classroom‑friendly: English, German, French, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, Japanese, and Korean. Switch languages instantly; the grid regenerates on the spot. Fully playable offline—no sign‑up or connection required—so you can play anywhere. Why you’ll love it: Quick to teach, deep to master; perfect for mixed groups Laughs, tension, and real “aha!” moments in minutes Fast turns and near‑infinite replay value Thoughtful design that prioritizes readability Start a new game in seconds, give your first clue, and watch the table come alive. This digital adaptation pays homage to the classic party word game by Czech designer Vlaada Chvátil—faithful to team spirit and clever associations.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Action Codenames at Free against Crossfix's $2.99. Action Codenames also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 19 months). Crossfix's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On ads, in-app purchases 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
Action Codenames is free to download; Crossfix costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Crossfix ships an update every 19 months, Action Codenames every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Crossfix | Action Codenames |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | — | 3.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 19 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | TrozWare | 梦成 李 |
In-app purchases
Crossfix
No in-app purchases
Action Codenames
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Crossfix free?
Is Action Codenames free?
Do Crossfix or Action Codenames have ads?
Which is updated more often, Crossfix or Action Codenames?
Other comparisons















