# Cracking the Cryptic vs OneUpPuzzle

The clearest difference is price: Cracking the Cryptic at Free against OneUpPuzzle's $4.99. Cracking the Cryptic also leads on rating (4.4 vs 3.8) and ratings volume (208 vs 21). OneUpPuzzle's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13). On review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Cracking the Cryptic is free to download; OneUpPuzzle costs $4.99 up front. Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. OneUpPuzzle asks for nothing beyond the download.

Cracking the Cryptic holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cracking the Cryptic has 208 ratings behind it against 21, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's written reviews are positive against 73% of OneUpPuzzle's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cracking the Cryptic | OneUpPuzzle |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $4.99 |
| Rating | **[4.4 (208 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934/reviews)** | [3.8 (21 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oneuppuzzle/id6504248356/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **208** | 21 |
| Positive reviews | 72.1% of reviews | **73.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 234 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nick Carney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434235673) | [KoolUncle](https://appshunter.io/developer/898911288) |

## 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


### OneUpPuzzle

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oneuppuzzle/id6504248356)

Engage your mind with a number puzzle experience featuring a vast collection of meticulously crafted puzzles. Enjoy a variety of difficulty levels and grid sizes, with unique solutions for each challenge. Play anytime, anywhere, even offline.

**Highlights:** 210 unique puzzles, Single solution per puzzle, Multiple difficulty levels, Various grid sizes (5x5 to 10x10), Offline play

**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 OneUpPuzzle free?

OneUpPuzzle costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Cracking the Cryptic or OneUpPuzzle?

Cracking the Cryptic is rated higher. Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 out of 5 from 208 ratings, while OneUpPuzzle averages 3.8 from 21 ratings.

### Do Cracking the Cryptic or OneUpPuzzle have ads?

Neither Cracking the Cryptic nor OneUpPuzzle shows ads.

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

Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, and OneUpPuzzle every 3 weeks. Most recently, Cracking the Cryptic was updated on October 14, 2026 and OneUpPuzzle on October 15, 2026.

---

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