Comparison

Explo® Word Game 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

Explo® Word Game

Engage in a pure word game experience with this innovative crossword app. Challenge friends, AI, or race against the clock. Unlock advanced features and unlimited games with an optional Pro subscription.

Highlights
  • Ad-free gameplay
  • Play against friends or AI
  • Timed or relaxed game modes
  • Elo point system
  • Unlimited simultaneous games (Pro)
  • Review past games (Pro)
  • Pro Mode challenges (Pro)
Features
Read full description

Introducing Explo®, the innovative crossword game app. Explo is completely free from intrusive ads and pop-ups, allowing you to concentrate on having fun and exercising your brain. Explo is crafted with passion by word game enthusiasts - and it shows! Challenge your friends, compete with players from around the world, or face off against cunning robots – Explo offers versatile gameplay options. You can choose to play at a relaxed pace, savoring each word challenge, or ramp up the adrenaline by racing against the clock. As you progress through Explo, you'll accumulate Elo points, working your way toward mastering this unique word game. Alternatively, you can simply enjoy the ride and see where your word-solving journey takes you. But there's more! Explo allows you to enjoy up to three simultaneous games for free. For those looking to unlock the full potential of the app, we offer a Pro subscription, which includes: 1) Unlimited simultaneous games, so you can immerse yourself in crossword challenges to your heart's content. 2) The ability to review finished games and uncover the best moves in each situation, sharpening your word game skills. 3) Pro Mode games, where you can challenge other players with manual word challenges for an extra twist. 4) A diverse range of AI opponents, including intermediate and advanced robots, alongside beginner and easy levels, for a dynamic and engaging gaming experience. 5) A prestigious Pro badge to proudly display your status as an Explo Pro. Discover Explo today and enjoy the best of both worlds – the excitement of word games combined with the familiarity of a crossword puzzle app. Download now and let the word games begin! Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/752745690059478 Skráðu þig í Facebook hópinn okkar: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2677255872423139/ Terms of Use: https://explowordgame.com/terms-and-conditions/

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

Explo® Word Game4 screens
Word Zero4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Explo® Word Game at 4.8 against Word Zero's 4.5. Explo® Word Game also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 69%). Word Zero's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 weeks). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Explo® Word Game sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month and Word Zero sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Explo® Word Game holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 41 and 19 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Explo® Word Game's written reviews are positive against 69% of Word Zero's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Explo® Word Game ships an update every 6 weeks, Word Zero every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Explo® Word Game versus Word Zero: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterExplo® Word GameWord Zero
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (41 ratings) — better4.5 (19 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better69.2% of reviews
Number of ratings41 — better19
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.416.4
Further details — not scored
Size98 MB64 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperMideind ehf.SourceGear

Customer experience

Explo® Word Game

All ratings41 ratings
Positive97.6%
Neutral2.4%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%

Word Zero

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

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Explo® Word Game

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly subscription$4.991 Month
1 purchases

Word Zero

One-time1
  • 50 Game Tokens2 variants$4.99

Questions

Is Explo® Word Game free?
Explo® Word Game is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Word Zero free?
Word Zero is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Explo® Word Game or Word Zero?
Explo® Word Game is rated higher. Explo® Word Game averages 4.8 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while Word Zero averages 4.5 from 19 ratings.
Do Explo® Word Game or Word Zero have ads?
Neither Explo® Word Game nor Word Zero shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Explo® Word Game or Word Zero?
Explo® Word Game ships an update every 6 weeks, and Word Zero every 2 weeks. Most recently, Explo® Word Game was updated on September 16, 2026 and Word Zero on September 7, 2026.

Other comparisons