# Cracking the Cryptic vs Northsense

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Northsense at none against Cracking the Cryptic's 13. Cracking the Cryptic's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Northsense asks for nothing beyond the download.

Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, Northsense every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cracking the Cryptic | Northsense |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (208 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **208** | — |
| Positive reviews | 72.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 234 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nick Carney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434235673) | [Ilia Filiaev](https://appshunter.io/developer/1742628366) |

## What reviewers say

### Cracking the Cryptic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CTC Worms - James Sinclair | $0.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Marty Sears | $0.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Zetamath | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Blobz | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Michael Lefkowitz | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Phistomefel | $1.99 | one-time |
| GAS Volume #1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| GAS Volume #2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| CTC Approachable Sudoku #1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Domino Sudoku Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Lines Variety Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Classic Volume #2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| CTC Fog Pack #1 | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Best sudoku app
- 👍 Great variety of puzzles
- 👍 Excellent user interface
- 👍 Challenging and fun puzzles
- 👍 Constant updates with new puzzles

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Hints are often incorrect or unhelpful
- 🐛 Bugs and crashes, especially after updates
- 🔋 Battery draining issues
- 🔒 Too many in-app purchases required to access content

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


### Northsense

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/northsense-direction-trainer/id6775890076)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cracking the Cryptic free?

Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Northsense free?

Northsense is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Cracking the Cryptic or Northsense have ads?

Neither Cracking the Cryptic nor Northsense shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cracking the Cryptic or Northsense?

Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, and Northsense every 2 months. Most recently, Cracking the Cryptic was updated on September 30, 2026 and Northsense on September 18, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*