# Cracking the Cryptic vs Mathica by LearnWithSherlock

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.

Both are free to download. Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Mathica by LearnWithSherlock asks for nothing beyond the download.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cracking the Cryptic | Mathica by LearnWithSherlock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (208 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934/reviews) | **[4.8 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mathica-by-learnwithsherlock/id6746178824/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **208** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | **72.1% of reviews** | 57.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 234 MB | 62 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nick Carney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434235673) | [Frontier Creators LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1815651793) |

## 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


### Mathica by LearnWithSherlock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mathica-by-learnwithsherlock/id6746178824)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

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