Comparison

Cracking the Cryptic vs zenkari

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

zenkari

A native Akari puzzle game for iPhone and iPad. Place lanterns to light up the board while avoiding conflicts. Offers various puzzle types, daily challenges, and optional Game Center integration.

Highlights
  • Touch-friendly grids with haptics
  • Multiple Akari variations
  • Procedurally generated puzzles
  • Daily challenge with target time
  • Optional Game Center integration
  • Accessibility features
Features
Read full description

zenkari is a native Akari (Light Up) puzzle app for iPhone and iPad. Place lanterns on open cells, satisfy numbered walls, and light the whole board — without two lanterns shining at each other. CLASSIC RULES, MODERN PLAY • Touch-friendly grids with clear feedback, haptics, and optional conflict highlighting • Step-by-step tutorial for new players • Timer, marks, sound, and appearance options (system, light, or dark) PUZZLE VARIETY • Standard Akari plus variations such as coloured light, mirrors, twins, queens (diagonal rays), regional boards, and hex grids • Procedurally generated boards by difficulty and size • Bundled puzzle packs and import support DAILY CHALLENGE & GAME CENTER (OPTIONAL) • A new puzzle each day with a target time • Leaderboards, achievements, and fastest-time previews per board size • Game Center sign-in is optional — core solo play does not require an account ACCESSIBILITY • VoiceOver labels on the grid • Dynamic Type in navigation and settings • Reduce Motion support PRIVACY Saved games, settings, and local progress stay on your device. The app may show ads to help keep zenkari free. See the privacy policy for details on advertising, analytics, and App Tracking Transparency. Akari and Light Up refer to the puzzle type. Nikoli and other third-party names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Screenshots

Cracking the Cryptic4 screens
zenkari4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: zenkari at 5.0 against Cracking the Cryptic's 4.4. zenkari also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 13) and review sentiment (100% vs 72%). Cracking the Cryptic's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (208 vs 1). 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. zenkari asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

zenkari 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. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's written reviews are positive against 100% of zenkari's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, zenkari every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Cracking the Cryptic versus zenkari: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCracking the Crypticzenkari
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (208 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings208 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size234 MB35 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperNick CarneyJEREMY S WEBER

Customer experience

Cracking the Cryptic

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

zenkari

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
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

zenkari

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

zenkari

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cracking the Cryptic free?
Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is zenkari free?
zenkari is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Cracking the Cryptic or zenkari?
zenkari is rated higher. Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 out of 5 from 208 ratings, while zenkari averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Cracking the Cryptic or zenkari have ads?
zenkari shows ads; Cracking the Cryptic does not.
Which is updated more often, Cracking the Cryptic or zenkari?
Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, and zenkari every 10 days. Most recently, Cracking the Cryptic was updated on October 14, 2026 and zenkari on September 24, 2026.

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