Comparison

Cracking the Cryptic vs Tsuidoku

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

Tsuidoku

This logic puzzle expands on classic Sudoku with an additional color constraint. Solve daily challenges, master unique techniques, and compete with friends. It offers a fresh take on number and color pairing puzzles.

Highlights
  • Number and color constraints
  • Daily global challenges
  • Streak tracking and medals
  • Rainbow and Color Wheel techniques
  • Friend comparisons and chat
  • Detailed player profiles
Features
Read full description

Tsuidoku is a logic puzzle for players who have mastered classic Sudoku. The 9×9 grid remains, but a fourth constraint changes everything. THE 4 RULES Each row, column, and 3×3 region must contain the numbers 1 through 9 AND the 9 colors. The twist: each color must also contain all 9 numbers. The result: 81 unique number-color pairs. Place a "Red 5," and it cannot appear anywhere else. DAILY CHALLENGE A unique global grid every day—the same one for the whole world. Maintain your streak, earn monthly medals, and check the daily rankings. MASTER THE TECHNIQUES - Rainbow Technique: Track a single number across all nine colors. - Color Wheel: Track a single color across all nine numbers. Tap a cell to cycle through highlight modes and see the logic light up. PLAY TOGETHER Add friends, compare stats, and chat directly within the app. A detailed profile tracks your records across every difficulty level. Think you’ve mastered Sudoku? The real game starts here. Download now and create your first 81 perfect pairs.

Screenshots

Cracking the Cryptic4 screens
Tsuidoku4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tsuidoku at 5.0 against Cracking the Cryptic's 4.4. Tsuidoku also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 13) and review sentiment (100% vs 72%). Cracking the Cryptic's advantage is ratings volume (210 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). 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. Tsuidoku asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tsuidoku 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 210 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 Tsuidoku's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, Tsuidoku every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Cracking the Cryptic versus Tsuidoku: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCracking the CrypticTsuidoku
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (210 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings210 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size234 MB101 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperNick CarneyJordan MAIRE

Customer experience

Cracking the Cryptic

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

Tsuidoku

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

Tsuidoku

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

Tsuidoku

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cracking the Cryptic free?
Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tsuidoku free?
Tsuidoku is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Cracking the Cryptic or Tsuidoku?
Tsuidoku is rated higher. Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 out of 5 from 210 ratings, while Tsuidoku averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Cracking the Cryptic or Tsuidoku have ads?
Neither Cracking the Cryptic nor Tsuidoku shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cracking the Cryptic or Tsuidoku?
Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, and Tsuidoku every 4 days. Most recently, Cracking the Cryptic was updated on October 20, 2026 and Tsuidoku on October 16, 2026.

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