# Cracking the Cryptic vs Sudoku Classic

The clearest difference is ads: Cracking the Cryptic at none against Sudoku Classic's shown. Cracking the Cryptic also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). Sudoku Classic's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (90% vs 72%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cracking the Cryptic sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Sudoku Classic sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Sudoku Classic holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 211 and 399 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's written reviews are positive against 90% of Sudoku Classic's.

Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, Sudoku Classic fortnightly. Both last shipped on November 7, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cracking the Cryptic | Sudoku Classic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (211 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934/reviews) | **[4.8 (399 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sudoku-classic-number-puzzles/id6443815428/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 211 | **399** |
| Positive reviews | 72.1% of reviews | **89.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 234 MB | 163 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nick Carney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434235673) | [Logic-Wiz](https://appshunter.io/developer/1114166037) |

## 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 (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CTC Worms - James Sinclair | $0.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Marty Sears | $0.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Michael Lefkowitz | $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


### Sudoku Classic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sudoku-classic-number-puzzles/id6443815428)

Engage your mind with a classic logic puzzle game. Offers beautifully crafted boards across multiple difficulty levels, with smart hints to guide your progress. Track your performance and enjoy a seamless experience with cloud sync.

**Highlights:** Beautiful handcrafted boards, 6 playing levels, Smart hints, Weekly Challenge, Cloud Sync, Performance tracking, Unlimited Undo/Redo

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Logic Wiz Classic Sudoku promo | $5.59 | one-time |
| Logic Wiz Classic Sudoku Spec. | $5.59 | one-time |
| Logic Wiz Classic Sudoku | $6.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Excellent user interface
- 💡 Helpful strategy tips and tutorials
- 🚀 Smooth gameplay experience
- 🎨 Beautiful puzzle design
- 🔍 Variety of difficulty levels

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent ads that disrupt gameplay
- 🔍 Inconsistent puzzle availability
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🤔 Confusing hint explanations

**Reported bugs**

- Puzzles disappearing from the library
- Ads that cannot be closed or skipped

**Requested features**

- Ability to import custom puzzles
- Save and resume unfinished puzzles
- Progress tracking and statistics
- Offline mode for no ads


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cracking the Cryptic free?

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

### Is Sudoku Classic free?

Sudoku Classic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Cracking the Cryptic or Sudoku Classic?

Sudoku Classic is rated higher. Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 out of 5 from 211 ratings, while Sudoku Classic averages 4.8 from 399 ratings.

### Do Cracking the Cryptic or Sudoku Classic have ads?

Sudoku Classic shows ads; Cracking the Cryptic does not.

### Which is updated more often, Cracking the Cryptic or Sudoku Classic?

Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, and Sudoku Classic fortnightly. Most recently, Cracking the Cryptic was updated on November 7, 2026 and Sudoku Classic on November 7, 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.*