Comparison

Cracking the Cryptic vs MathCage

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

MathCage

Features
Read full description

MathCage is the classic math logic game — a fresh challenge for Sudoku fans who love numbers and reasoning. Fill the grid, satisfy every cage, and train your brain anywhere. HOW TO PLAY • Fill the grid with numbers (1-4, 1-5 or 1-6) • No number repeats in any row or column • Numbers in each cage must satisfy the arithmetic clue (+, −, ×, ÷) • Single-cell cages show the answer directly WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT • Unlimited puzzles — every grid is freshly generated with a unique solution • 3 difficulty levels: Easy 4×4, Medium 5×5, Hard 6×6 • Notes, undo and auto-save for strategic play • Track your best times and completed games • Clean, minimal design with satisfying haptics • 100% offline — perfect for flights, commutes and travel • Completely free: no ads, no subscriptions, no in-app purchases PERFECT FOR • Sudoku fans looking for a smarter alternative • Daily brain training and mental math practice • Students sharpening arithmetic skills • Anyone who loves logic puzzles and number games Download MathCage now and give your brain its daily workout!

Screenshots

Cracking the Cryptic4 screens
MathCage4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MathCage at none against Cracking the Cryptic's 13. Cracking the Cryptic's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 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. MathCage asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, MathCage every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Cracking the Cryptic versus MathCage: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCracking the CrypticMathCage
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (208 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews72.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings208 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size234 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNick Carney晓 郭

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

MathCage

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

MathCage

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cracking the Cryptic free?
Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MathCage free?
MathCage is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Cracking the Cryptic or MathCage have ads?
Neither Cracking the Cryptic nor MathCage shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cracking the Cryptic or MathCage?
Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, and MathCage every 3 months. Most recently, Cracking the Cryptic was updated on October 14, 2026 and MathCage on September 22, 2026.

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