Comparison

Cracking the Cryptic vs Nokoma

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

Head to head
About

Cracking the Cryptic

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
Read full description

OUR NEWEST PACK – CLASSIC VOLUME #2! Classic sudoku is where it all began, and there is still lots of skill to be deployed to solve classic puzzles, and new techniques to be explored. Nikoli, the Japanese puzzle house, named and popularised sudoku from 1984, and we have commissioned 20 puzzles from them for this Classic Sudoku 2 app. We have also created 20 ourselves, and sourced 20 more from Sam Cappleman-Lynes, the brilliant British sudoku expert. The result is a wonderful 60-puzzle pack which will delight and challenge you. -------------------- Welcome to the brand new Sudoku app from the most popular Sudoku channel, Cracking The Cryptic. Unlike other Sudoku apps, we feature handcrafted and curated puzzles from the world’s best Sudoku constructors. Each collection features puzzles made by various authors that are now familiar names to those who follow the channel. Authors like Phistomefel, Clover, Sam Cappleman-Lynes, Christoph Seeliger, Richard Stolk, jovi_al, Qodec, Prasanna Seshadri and of course, Simon and Mark! Downloading Cracking the Cryptic will give you access to our first free collection – a variety pack by Prasanna Seshadri featuring 7 puzzles inspired from our previous Sudoku apps; Sandwich, Classic, Chess, Thermo, Miracle, Killer and Arrow Sudoku. We also have purchasable packs designed for all skill levels and featuring many unique variants not seen previously. We’ll be releasing more free and paid packs in the future so keep an eye on the app for more Sudoku content from Cracking The Cryptic!

About

Nokoma

This is a cozy and addictive puzzle game where players touch numbers to split them and clear grids. Compete against others in Arcade mode or challenge your mind with unique gameplay mechanics in the upcoming Puzzle mode.

Highlights
  • Number splitting puzzles
  • Grid clearing gameplay
  • Arcade mode for high scores
  • Upcoming Puzzle mode with unique mechanics
  • Multiplayer score challenges
Read full description

Nokoma is a cozy and fun puzzle game with numbers. Touch the numbers to split them and empty the grids. Try to beat the other player's score or your friend's in the addictive Arcade mode. Challenge your brain and solve special grids with unique gameplay in the upcoming Puzzle mode. ■ PUZZLE MODE ■ A brain-teasing game mode with special grids to solve. Each set of grids features a unique gameplay mechanic. ■ ARCADE MODE ■ Empty as many grids as you can in a limited number of moves and reach the highest level and score in this thrilling endless game mode. Make combos to remove more tiles and also get more points! ■ EARLY ACCESS ■ In the Early Access, only the "Arcade Mode" will be available! Thank you for your support !

Screenshots

Cracking the Cryptic4 screens
Nokoma4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Nokoma at 5.0 against Cracking the Cryptic's 4.4. Nokoma also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 13) and review sentiment (100% vs 72%). Cracking the Cryptic's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (208 vs 8). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Nokoma asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Nokoma 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 208 ratings behind it against 8, 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 Nokoma's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, Nokoma every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Cracking the Cryptic versus Nokoma: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCracking the CrypticNokoma
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (208 ratings)5.0 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings208 — better8
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size234 MB94 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNick CarneyVincent Gouey

Customer experience

Cracking the Cryptic

All ratings208 ratings
Positive84.1%
Neutral6.3%
Negative9.6%
Written reviews147 reviews
Positive72.1%
Neutral13.6%
Negative14.3%

Nokoma

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Cracking the Cryptic

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 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

5 requests
  • 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

Nokoma

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

13 purchases

Cracking the Cryptic

One-time13
  • CTC Worms - James Sinclair$0.99
  • CTC Worms - Marty Sears$0.99
  • CTC Worms - Zetamath$1.99
Show 10 more
  • CTC Worms - Blobz$1.99
  • CTC Worms - Michael Lefkowitz$1.99
  • CTC Worms - Phistomefel$1.99
  • GAS Volume #1$2.99
  • GAS Volume #2$2.99
  • CTC Approachable Sudoku #1$2.99
  • Domino Sudoku Pack$4.99
  • Lines Variety Pack$4.99
  • Classic Volume #2$4.99
  • CTC Fog Pack #1$4.99
None

Nokoma

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cracking the Cryptic free?
Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Nokoma free?
Nokoma is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Cracking the Cryptic or Nokoma?
Nokoma is rated higher. Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 out of 5 from 208 ratings, while Nokoma averages 5.0 from 8 ratings.
Do Cracking the Cryptic or Nokoma have ads?
Nokoma shows ads; Cracking the Cryptic does not.
Which is updated more often, Cracking the Cryptic or Nokoma?
Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, and Nokoma every 2 weeks. Most recently, Cracking the Cryptic was updated on October 14, 2026 and Nokoma on September 14, 2026.

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