Comparison

subpar pool vs Simply Cryptic

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

Head to head
About

subpar pool

Engage in a unique pocket billiards experience across procedurally generated levels. Strategize your shots, adapt to unpredictable physics, and customize challenges with a deck of cards for endless replayability. Immerse yourself in a vibrant world with a charming art style and a relaxing soundtrack.

Highlights
  • Procedurally generated levels
  • Card-based challenge customization
  • Four distinct worlds
  • Thousands of gameplay combinations
  • Bite-sized play sessions
  • One-handed play
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Dive into each procedurally generated level, consisting of a series of tables filled with balls you must pocket within a set number of shots. Escape into the fantastically vibrant world, while strategizing the best plan to pocket your balls. Watch your plan inevitably combust as you adapt your next move to skillfully take home the win. Progress in the game and create your course choosing cards from a deck to tailor the challenges to your desired game experience and playstyle. Want to feel stressed to the max? Take part in the Fast Run, which limits the time you have to aim. Want a level with portals? Subpar Pool has you covered. Or want to see what happens when you play Subpar Pool with glass balls as they roll and collide? There’s thousands of ways to combine the dynamic cards to create a unique playthrough experience, every time. Immerse yourself in the charming, lively world of Subpar Pool while you find out if you can master the unpredictability of ever-changing balls colliding in this satisfying and mesmerizing mashup experience. Features: • Four different worlds, each with its own set of constraints and challenges • Procedurally generated tables and 18 different cards with more than 14,000 ways to combine for an always fresh gameplay experience • A compact game experience designed for bite-sized play sessions (or longer if you prefer!) • A stunning, vibrant french-inspired art style that transports you into the enchanting world • Plays comfortably with one hand • A soothing, mini-golf funk soundtrack to get you in the spirited mood • Created by grapefrukt games, the dev behind beloved and acclaimed games holedown, twofold inc & rymdkapsel

About

Simply Cryptic

A cryptic crossword-inspired word game designed for quick, satisfying solves on mobile. It offers an accessible entry point to cryptic clues with optional explanations to help users learn the wordplay. Enjoy multiple difficulty levels and offline play.

Highlights
  • Cryptic clue solving
  • Optional clue explanations
  • Multiple difficulty packs
  • Offline play
  • Clean mobile design
  • Hint system
Features
Read full description

Simply Cryptic is a cryptic crossword-inspired word game built for quick, satisfying solves on iPhone. If cryptic clues have ever felt intimidating, this is your on-ramp. Each puzzle is designed to be clever but fair, and you can always view an optional explanation to learn the logic behind the clue. How it works: • Solve one cryptic-style clue at a time • Answers fit the exact letter count shown in parentheses • Use hints when you get stuck • Reveal an explanation to learn the wordplay and improve What’s inside: • Multiple difficulty packs: Easy, Classic, and Hard • Clean, distraction-free design built for mobile • Offline play (no account required) • New content can be added in future updates Simply Cryptic is the perfect word game for commuters, couch time, or anyone who likes puzzles that make you feel smart.

Screenshots

subpar pool4 screens
Simply Cryptic4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: subpar pool at 78% against Simply Cryptic's 0%. subpar pool also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.5) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). Simply Cryptic's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $4.99). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

subpar pool costs $4.99 and Simply Cryptic $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

subpar pool holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: subpar pool has 38 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of subpar pool's written reviews are positive against 0% of Simply Cryptic's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

subpar pool ships an update every 2 weeks, Simply Cryptic every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
subpar pool versus Simply Cryptic: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parametersubpar poolSimply Cryptic
Price$4.99$0.99 — better
Rating4.6 (38 ratings) — better3.5 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews78.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings38 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#60 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size74 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerwebbfarbror ABViolet Rome LLC

Customer experience

subpar pool

All ratings39 ratings
Positive87.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative5.1%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive78.3%
Neutral8.7%
Negative13.0%

Simply Cryptic

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

subpar pool

No in-app purchases

None

Simply Cryptic

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is subpar pool free?
subpar pool costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Simply Cryptic free?
Simply Cryptic costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, subpar pool or Simply Cryptic?
subpar pool is rated higher. subpar pool averages 4.6 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while Simply Cryptic averages 3.5 from 2 ratings.
Do subpar pool or Simply Cryptic have ads?
Neither subpar pool nor Simply Cryptic shows ads.
Which is updated more often, subpar pool or Simply Cryptic?
subpar pool ships an update every 2 weeks, and Simply Cryptic every 2 months. Most recently, subpar pool was updated on November 13, 2026 and Simply Cryptic on November 15, 2026.

Other comparisons