Comparison

Sudoku vs Sudoku Kensei

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

Head to head
About

Sudoku

Features
Read full description

A classic sudoku game. Free and no ads!

About

Sudoku Kensei

This app helps you understand and solve Sudoku puzzles with visual hints and advanced techniques. It offers features like a camera scanner for printed puzzles and smart candidate management. Customize your experience with various display options.

Highlights
  • Visual Sudoku technique finders
  • Camera puzzle scanner
  • Smart candidate management
  • Advanced fish pattern finders (Pro)
  • Customizable display and entry methods
  • Save, export, and share puzzles (Pro)
Features
Read full description

Sudoku Kensei is a powerful Sudoku game and teacher designed to help you understand and solve puzzles — not just fill in the boxes. SOLVE SMARTER WITH VISUAL FINDERS Turn on any finder and the board lights up with color-coded hints. Naked Singles, Hidden Singles, Box Exclusions, Naked Pairs, Triples, Quads, and more — each technique is highlighted so you can see the logic, not just the answer. Finders never solve for you; they show you where to look. ADVANCED FISH PATTERNS (PRO) Tackle the toughest grids with X-Wing, Swordfish, and Jellyfish finders. Each pattern is highlighted with color-coded cells and backgrounds. Select a digit on the keypad to isolate one fish at a time — perfect for studying and learning advanced technique. SCAN ANY PUZZLE Point your camera at a printed book, magazine, or on-screen puzzle, or scan from an existing photo or screen capture of a puzzle. Review recognized digits before solving, and correct any misreads with a tap. SMART CANDIDATE MANAGEMENT Show all pencil marks with one tap. Automatic candidate tracking eliminates impossible values as you solve. Pro users can convert naked singles one at a time or all at once with the built-in solvers. SAVE, EXPORT & SHARE Save in-progress games and pick up where you left off. Pro version includes ability to import and export any puzzle as a QR code to share with friends. MAKE IT YOURS Choose custom colors for your answers, scanned clues, candidates, and highlights. Adjust font sizes, pick cell-first or keypad-first entry, and configure display preferences to match how you like to work. FREE & PRO The free version includes 10 free puzzle scans, all basic finders through naked and hidden pairs, and candidate customization. Upgrade once to unlock: • Fishy pattern finders: X-Wing, Swordfish, Jellyfish • Advanced multiples: Triples, Quads, Quintets • Convert Next Singles and Convert All Singles solvers • Unlimited puzzle scans • Import/Export puzzles • Additional pro features (and more coming soon!)

Screenshots

Sudoku4 screens
Sudoku Kensei4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sudoku at none against Sudoku Kensei's 1. Sudoku also leads on iOS requirement (14.3 vs 17.6). 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. Sudoku Kensei sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Sudoku asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sudoku ships an update every 2 weeks, Sudoku Kensei monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Sudoku versus Sudoku Kensei: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSudokuSudoku Kensei
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.3 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.3 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer翌璠 张David Shapiro

In-app purchases

None

Sudoku

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Sudoku Kensei

One-time1
  • Pro Features$0.99

Questions

Is Sudoku free?
Sudoku is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sudoku Kensei free?
Sudoku Kensei is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Sudoku or Sudoku Kensei have ads?
Neither Sudoku nor Sudoku Kensei shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sudoku or Sudoku Kensei?
Sudoku ships an update every 2 weeks, and Sudoku Kensei monthly. Most recently, Sudoku was updated on November 7, 2026 and Sudoku Kensei on November 5, 2026.

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