Comparison

Cracking the Cryptic vs Hushword

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

Hushword

Features
Read full description

A word search with a secret — and the secret makes you earn it. Find every word on the list. The letters nobody used spell a hidden phrase, and now comes the real game: guess it, letter by letter, in order. Guess right and the letter lights up. Guess wrong and you've spent your chance — better find another bonus word to earn one back. QUIET BY DESIGN No failure. No board ever taken away from you. No timer pressure either — the only clock counts up, and nothing ends because of it. Out of guesses is not a loss: earn one back with a bonus word, whisper a letter in, or let the board keep its secret — the level finishes and pays either way, and the phrase you never cracked is waiting when you come back to it. Just you, a lamplit grid of letters, and the small satisfaction of a page done properly. FIND MORE THAN THE LIST Spot a word that isn't listed? Trace it anyway — any real dictionary word of four letters or more pays a bonus coin AND earns you another guess at the secret. Spend coins on hints, whispers and extra guesses, or save up for a new look for your grid. A SECRET EVERY DAY One daily puzzle, the same for everyone, every midnight. Keep the streak alive and the rewards grow. THEMED PACKS Hundreds of levels across themed packs — animals, oceans, kitchens, night skies — each with its own secrets to uncover. MADE TO RESPECT YOU • Plays completely offline — planes, basements, hammocks • No account, no sign-up — your puzzles and progress stay on your device • Ads appear between levels, never in the middle of a puzzle — and one purchase removes them for good • Want a hint, a whisper or another guess on the house? Watch a short video by choice. Never sprung on you, and never required to finish a board The letters left behind have something to say.

Screenshots

Cracking the Cryptic4 screens
Hushword4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Cracking the Cryptic at none against Hushword's shown. Cracking the Cryptic also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Hushword's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 3 weeks). On price, in-app purchases 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 10 one-off in-app purchases and Hushword sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, Hushword daily. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Cracking the Cryptic versus Hushword: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCracking the CrypticHushword
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (211 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews72.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings211 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksDaily — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size234 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNick CarneyMachinaut Studios LLC

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

Hushword

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Cracking the Cryptic

One-time10
  • CTC Worms - James Sinclair$0.99
  • CTC Worms - Marty Sears$0.99
  • CTC Worms - Michael Lefkowitz$1.99
Show 7 more
  • 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
4 purchases

Hushword

One-time4
  • Pouch of Coins$1.99
  • Remove Ads$3.99
  • Satchel of Coins$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Chest of Coins$9.99

Questions

Is Cracking the Cryptic free?
Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Hushword free?
Hushword is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Cracking the Cryptic or Hushword have ads?
Hushword shows ads; Cracking the Cryptic does not.
Which is updated more often, Cracking the Cryptic or Hushword?
Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, and Hushword daily. Most recently, Cracking the Cryptic was updated on November 7, 2026 and Hushword on October 31, 2026.

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