Comparison

Cracking the Cryptic vs Flang

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

Flang

Features
Read full description

Discover Flang, a captivating strategic board game that combines the tactical depth of chess with innovative rules and a unique twist. Master familiar pieces alongside the special "flanger" to outmaneuver your opponents in this fresh take on classic strategy gaming. Key Features: • Play Offline - Enjoy games against other people, no internet required • Online Multiplayer - Challenge players worldwide in live games or take your time with daily correspondence matches • Unique Strategy - Experience chess-like gameplay enhanced with special Flang rules and the powerful flanger piece • Track Your Progress - View your rating history, game statistics, and climb the global leaderboards • Community - Browse player profiles, discover top players, and build your reputation • Free & Open Source - Fully transparent, community-driven development Whether you're a chess enthusiast looking for a new challenge or a strategy game lover seeking something different, Flang offers deep tactical gameplay with endless replayability. Ready to master the flanger? Download Flang and start playing today!

Screenshots

Cracking the Cryptic4 screens
Flang4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Flang at none against Cracking the Cryptic's 13. Cracking the Cryptic's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 8 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and ads 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. Flang asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, Flang every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Cracking the Cryptic versus Flang: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCracking the CrypticFlang
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (210 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews72.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings210 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size234 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNick CarneyTim Fraedrich

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

Flang

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

Flang

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cracking the Cryptic free?
Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Flang free?
Flang is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Cracking the Cryptic or Flang have ads?
Neither Cracking the Cryptic nor Flang shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cracking the Cryptic or Flang?
Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, and Flang every 8 months. Most recently, Cracking the Cryptic was updated on October 20, 2026 and Flang on October 16, 2026.

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