Comparison

NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile vs Word Zero

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

Head to head
About

NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile

This app is designed for word game enthusiasts to conduct in-depth word study. It features simplified search, quiz functions, and Leitner cardbox study, useful for both personal practice and tournament adjudication. Data synchronization across devices is available via Dropbox.

Highlights
  • Word study tools
  • Quiz functions
  • Leitner cardbox study
  • Adjudication for clubs/tournaments
  • Dropbox data synchronization
Features
Read full description

Since 2005, word game players have used Zyzzyva software to do serious word study. The mobile version of NASPA Zyzzyva offers simplified search and quiz functions, including Leitner cardbox study, and can be used for adjudication at clubs and tournaments. Users with multiple devices can use Dropbox to synchronize their quiz data.

About

Word Zero

A digital crossword board game where two players form words using letter tiles. It focuses on a pure gameplay experience without ads, rewards, or in-game assistance. Players use tokens to start games, with options to earn or purchase more.

Highlights
  • Two-player turn-based word formation
  • Token system for game access
  • No ads or in-game rewards
  • Correspondence-style games with turn timers
  • Play against computer bots
  • Elo rating system
  • English and Spanish language support
Features
Read full description

Word Zero is a crossword board game in the style of others you may have seen. Two players take turns placing tiles on a board to form words. Tiles have different point values, and some board spaces have bonuses (like double-word score), and so on. What makes this game different is the absence of ... annoyances. - Zero interruptions: We have no ads during game play. - Zero distractions: We don't have gems, rewards, stickers, or achievements. - Zero deception: We do offer computer players (Bots), but they never pretend to be real people. - Zero manipulation: We don't send you notifications nagging you to play a game. - Zero cheats: We don't have in-game assistance or power-ups. Instead, Word Zero has a simple model of requiring one "token" for each game you play. - Each new user gets a batch of free game tokens to start. More free tokens are provided periodically and as resources allow. - Users who want to play more often can purchase additional tokens through In-App Purchases. - Game tokens do not expire and can be used at whatever pace you like. Highlights: - Sign In With Apple - Games are "correspondence" style. Each player has up to 3 days for their turn, but it is considered good form to play as quickly as possible. If a player does not make a turn within that time period, a pass is automatically assumed and it becomes the other player's turn. If a player "auto-passes" twice in a row, and if their opponent makes a turn in between, the game is declared a forfeit and the opponent wins. Note that it is considered bad form to abandon a game. - Languages currently supported for game play include English and Spanish - For games in English, we use the NASPA Word List, which is the official word reference for SCRABBLE play in the United States and Canada. - Push notifications to let you know when it is your turn - Players who use this app are expected to play without outside assistance. Using dictionaries, word lists, or other helps during a game is considered cheating. All players are on the honor system. - An Elo rating system is used to give an approximate indication of the strength of each player. - Although the primary focus of Word Zero is to facilitate games between people, the ability to play against computer players ("Bots") is provided as well. The Bot-related features are intentionally kept separated from other areas of the app, so there can be no confusion about whether you are playing a Bot or a real person.

Screenshots

NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile4 screens
Word Zero4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Word Zero at 69% against NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile's 22%. Word Zero also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.1) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 months). NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.4). On price, ratings volume, 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. Word Zero sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Word Zero holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 20 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile's written reviews are positive against 69% of Word Zero's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile ships an update every 5 months, Word Zero every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile versus Word Zero: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNASPA Zyzzyva MobileWord Zero
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (12 ratings)4.3 (20 ratings) — better
Positive reviews22.2% of reviews69.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1220 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size70 MB64 MB
Age rating12+9+
DeveloperNorth American SCRABBLE Players AssociationSourceGear

Customer experience

NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile

All ratings12 ratings
Positive41.7%
Neutral8.3%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive22.2%
Neutral11.1%
Negative66.7%

Word Zero

All ratings19 ratings
Positive84.2%
Neutral15.8%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive69.2%
Neutral23.1%
Negative7.7%

In-app purchases

None

NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Word Zero

One-time1
  • 50 Game Tokens2 variants$4.99

Questions

Is NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile free?
NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Word Zero free?
Word Zero is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile or Word Zero?
Word Zero is rated higher. NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile averages 3.1 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while Word Zero averages 4.3 from 20 ratings.
Do NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile or Word Zero have ads?
Neither NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile nor Word Zero shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile or Word Zero?
NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile ships an update every 5 months, and Word Zero every 2 weeks. Most recently, NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile was updated on October 30, 2026 and Word Zero on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons