# Cracking the Cryptic vs Dots and Boxes

The clearest difference is update cadence: Dots and Boxes at weekly against Cracking the Cryptic's every 3 weeks. Cracking the Cryptic's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases and Dots and Boxes sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, Dots and Boxes weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cracking the Cryptic | Dots and Boxes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 234 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nick Carney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434235673) | [DIJITAL PILOT REKLAM SANAYI TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1881304693) |

## 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


### Dots and Boxes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dots-and-boxes-classic-duel/id6809570274)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium | $5.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium | $24.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cracking the Cryptic free?

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

### Is Dots and Boxes free?

Dots and Boxes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Cracking the Cryptic or Dots and Boxes have ads?

Neither Cracking the Cryptic nor Dots and Boxes shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cracking the Cryptic or Dots and Boxes?

Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, and Dots and Boxes weekly. Most recently, Cracking the Cryptic was updated on October 18, 2026 and Dots and Boxes on October 8, 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.*