# Cracking the Cryptic vs Thinky Puzzle Games

The clearest difference is rating: Thinky Puzzle Games at 5.0 against Cracking the Cryptic's 4.4. Thinky Puzzle Games also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 13) and review sentiment (100% vs 72%). Cracking the Cryptic's advantage is ratings volume (210 vs 10) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Thinky Puzzle Games asks for nothing beyond the download.

Thinky Puzzle Games holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cracking the Cryptic has 210 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's written reviews are positive against 100% of Thinky Puzzle Games's.

Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, Thinky Puzzle Games fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cracking the Cryptic | Thinky Puzzle Games |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (210 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934/reviews) | **[5.0 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thinky-puzzle-games/id1668925562/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **210** | 10 |
| Positive reviews | 72.1% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 234 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nick Carney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434235673) | [Spencer Spenst](https://appshunter.io/developer/1668925564) |

## What reviewers say

### Cracking the Cryptic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934)

This app offers a curated collection of handcrafted Sudoku puzzles from world-renowned constructors. Explore classic and unique variants, with new puzzle packs released regularly. A free introductory pack is included with download.

**Highlights:** Handcrafted Sudoku puzzles, Curated by expert constructors, Classic and unique variants, Regularly released puzzle packs, Free introductory puzzle pack

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CTC Worms - James Sinclair | $0.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Marty Sears | $0.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Zetamath | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Blobz | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Michael Lefkowitz | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Phistomefel | $1.99 | one-time |
| GAS Volume #1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| GAS Volume #2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| CTC Approachable Sudoku #1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Domino Sudoku Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Lines Variety Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Classic Volume #2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| CTC Fog Pack #1 | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Best sudoku app
- 👍 Great variety of puzzles
- 👍 Excellent user interface
- 👍 Challenging and fun puzzles
- 👍 Constant updates with new puzzles

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Hints are often incorrect or unhelpful
- 🐛 Bugs and crashes, especially after updates
- 🔋 Battery draining issues
- 🔒 Too many in-app purchases required to access content

**Reported bugs**

- Puzzle progress and purchases disappearing after updates
- Incorrect rules or hints in certain puzzles
- Crashes and freezes, especially on older devices or Macs
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between portrait and landscape modes

**Requested features**

- Add more color options for pencil marking and highlighting
- Implement a way to clear progress or start puzzles from scratch
- Integrate all CTC apps into a single app for better organization
- Add keyboard support, especially on Mac
- Improve the quality and clarity of hints


### Thinky Puzzle Games

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thinky-puzzle-games/id1668925562)

Engage in challenging puzzles, optimize solutions, and create your own levels. Connect with a community of puzzle enthusiasts through social features and compete in real-time multiplayer. Enjoy curated campaigns and user-generated content suitable for all skill levels.

**Highlights:** Solve and optimize puzzles, Create and publish levels, Real-time multiplayer, Curated campaigns, Advanced difficulty rating, Community social features

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cracking the Cryptic free?

Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Thinky Puzzle Games free?

Thinky Puzzle Games is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Cracking the Cryptic or Thinky Puzzle Games?

Thinky Puzzle Games is rated higher. Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 out of 5 from 210 ratings, while Thinky Puzzle Games averages 5.0 from 10 ratings.

### Do Cracking the Cryptic or Thinky Puzzle Games have ads?

Neither Cracking the Cryptic nor Thinky Puzzle Games shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cracking the Cryptic or Thinky Puzzle Games?

Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, and Thinky Puzzle Games fortnightly. Most recently, Cracking the Cryptic was updated on October 25, 2026 and Thinky Puzzle Games on October 6, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*