Comparison

Cracking the Cryptic vs Whist

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

Whist

A modern digital adaptation of the classic trick-taking card game. Compete in real-time multiplayer matches, practice against bots, and track your progress on leaderboards. Offers various tournament formats and customizable game looks.

Highlights
  • Real-time multiplayer
  • Play with friends
  • Practice against bots
  • Tournament formats
  • Customizable game looks
  • Profile and leaderboards
  • Quick and long matches
Features
Read full description

Whist is a classic trick-taking, bidding-and-prediction card game, rebuilt for your phone with smooth play, real-time multiplayer, and a clean, modern table. Bid for your contract, call how many tricks you'll take, then play the hand — score by hitting your call exactly. Sharp, social, and quick to learn but deep to master. • Real-time multiplayer — sit at a table with friends or get matched with players around the world. • Play with friends — create a private table and invite anyone to join. • Practice anytime — fill empty seats with smart bots so you're never waiting. • Tournaments — Swiss, Knockout, and Round-Robin formats with live standings. • Two looks — classic playing cards or a Rummikub-style cube board. • Your profile — track your rating, game history, and climb the leaderboard. • Quick Match or longer matches — one-hand games for a fast round, or full matches when you've got time. No ads. No real-money gambling — just the game. Whist is a bidding-and-prediction card game for four players. Each player predicts the exact number of tricks they'll win; nail it and you score big, miss and you pay. Whist brings the table, the scoring, and the rivalry to your pocket. Sign in with email, Google, or Apple and pick up where you left off on any device.

Screenshots

Cracking the Cryptic4 screens
Whist3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Whist at 5.0 against Cracking the Cryptic's 4.4. Whist also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 13) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 weeks). Cracking the Cryptic's advantage is ratings volume (208 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, ads 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. Whist asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Whist 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 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, Whist every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Cracking the Cryptic versus Whist: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCracking the CrypticWhist
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (208 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings208 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size234 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNick CarneyPABLO SRABSTEIN

Customer experience

Cracking the Cryptic

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

Whist

All ratings1 ratings
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

Whist

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

Whist

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cracking the Cryptic free?
Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Whist free?
Whist is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Cracking the Cryptic or Whist?
Whist is rated higher. Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 out of 5 from 208 ratings, while Whist averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Cracking the Cryptic or Whist have ads?
Neither Cracking the Cryptic nor Whist shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cracking the Cryptic or Whist?
Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, and Whist every 8 days. Most recently, Cracking the Cryptic was updated on October 14, 2026 and Whist on October 4, 2026.

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