Comparison

Cracking the Cryptic vs Mathica by LearnWithSherlock

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

Mathica by LearnWithSherlock

This game combines falling block puzzles with mathematical challenges. Players combine numbers using operators to solve equations against the clock. It offers a fun way to sharpen arithmetic skills with progressive difficulty and engaging visuals.

Highlights
  • Combine numbers with operators
  • Solve equations against time
  • Dynamic falling blocks
  • Progressive difficulty levels
  • Intuitive touch controls
  • Vibrant visual effects
Features
Read full description

From @LearnWithSherlock comes the math game that is actually fun. As we know, it's simple math! Combine numbers with +, −, × and ÷ to hit the target. Easy to learn, satisfying to master, and sneaky good for your brain. FOUR WAYS TO PLAY MATHICAJONG Mahjong solitaire, made of math. Every tile is a little sum like 9 + 6 or 3 × 5. Match two tiles that make the same number and clear the board. Earn up to three stars a level, build combos, crack Find X boards and survive the occasional Hard Level. Stuck? Hints and shuffles have your back. STRATEGY No timer, no pressure, just you and the puzzle. Place your numbers, spend your operator charges wisely, and hunt the perfect board clear. The higher you score, the more special blocks you discover. It's time to THINK! SPEED Blocks fall, you think fast. Steer them, drop them, and chain quick matches before the board fills up. They tell me this is hard. DAILY CHALLENGE One handcrafted puzzle a day, the same for everyone in the world. Solve it, keep your streak alive, and share your result. As we know, we do this one every day. New here? Score 5,000 in Strategy to unlock Speed and the Daily Challenge. WHY YOU'LL KEEP COMING BACK • Combos: chain fast matches to build your streak and unlock fresh block colors • Special blocks to discover, from golden blocks that double your points to bombs on a countdown • Result previews: see what a move makes before you commit to it • Board clears: wipe every block for big bonuses (zeros are your secret weapon) • Daily streaks: the puzzle resets at midnight and your streak is on the line • Relaxing classical music by Debussy, Chopin, Beethoven and more, with a song picker • Voice cheers when your combos chain up • Interactive tutorials that teach you by playing, in under a minute • Satisfying pops, bright bells, and combo fanfares on every move • Share cards for every mode to show off your best runs Perfect for puzzle lovers, math nerds, students sharpening their arithmetic, and anyone whose brain enjoys a good "aha" moment. No advanced math required. That is the whole point: simple numbers, clever moves, big satisfaction. Download MATHICA and find out why simple math is so hard to put down.

Screenshots

Cracking the Cryptic4 screens
Mathica by LearnWithSherlock3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Mathica by LearnWithSherlock at none against Cracking the Cryptic's 13. Mathica by LearnWithSherlock also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 weeks). Cracking the Cryptic's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (208 vs 4). On price and device support 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. Mathica by LearnWithSherlock asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mathica by LearnWithSherlock holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cracking the Cryptic has 208 ratings behind it against 4, 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 57% of Mathica by LearnWithSherlock's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, Mathica by LearnWithSherlock every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Cracking the Cryptic versus Mathica by LearnWithSherlock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCracking the CrypticMathica by LearnWithSherlock
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (208 ratings)4.8 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.1% of reviews — better57.1% of reviews
Number of ratings208 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size234 MB62 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNick CarneyFrontier Creators LLC

Customer experience

Cracking the Cryptic

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

Mathica by LearnWithSherlock

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative42.9%

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

Mathica by LearnWithSherlock

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

Mathica by LearnWithSherlock

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cracking the Cryptic free?
Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Mathica by LearnWithSherlock free?
Mathica by LearnWithSherlock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Cracking the Cryptic or Mathica by LearnWithSherlock?
Mathica by LearnWithSherlock is rated higher. Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 out of 5 from 208 ratings, while Mathica by LearnWithSherlock averages 4.8 from 4 ratings.
Do Cracking the Cryptic or Mathica by LearnWithSherlock have ads?
Mathica by LearnWithSherlock shows ads; Cracking the Cryptic does not.
Which is updated more often, Cracking the Cryptic or Mathica by LearnWithSherlock?
Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, and Mathica by LearnWithSherlock every 9 days. Most recently, Cracking the Cryptic was updated on October 18, 2026 and Mathica by LearnWithSherlock on October 17, 2026.

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