Comparison

Cracking the Cryptic vs Mosaic Stack

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

Mosaic Stack

Features
Read full description

Shape, stack and clear in Mosaic Stack, an original color-and-symbol sorting puzzle built around a compact 19-space hex board. Choose one of three layered stacks and place it carefully. Neighboring stacks with matching top symbols join automatically; build a group of six or more to clear it, reveal the tiles beneath and trigger satisfying chain reactions. Reach the target before the board fills. Features: • Clear, tactile stack-and-merge play • Progressive levels with reproducible puzzles • Helpful move suggestions and two free daily hints • Optional rewarded ads for extra hints • Restrained interstitials only between every third completed level • One-time Remove Ads purchase for automatic ads • Game Center authentication and cross-device progress saves • Shape symbols so color is never the only cue • VoiceOver support and reduced-motion-friendly presentation • Undo, restart and reliable autosave No ad interrupts active play.

Screenshots

Cracking the Cryptic4 screens
Mosaic Stack4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Cracking the Cryptic at none against Mosaic Stack's shown. Cracking the Cryptic also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). Mosaic Stack's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days 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 13 one-off in-app purchases and Mosaic Stack sells 2 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, Mosaic Stack every 6 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Cracking the Cryptic versus Mosaic Stack: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCracking the CrypticMosaic Stack
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (210 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews72.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings210 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 6 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size234 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNick CarneyTHOMAS WILLIAM UPSON

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

Mosaic Stack

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
2 purchases

Mosaic Stack

One-time2
  • 10 Hints$0.99
  • Remove Ads$0.99

Questions

Is Cracking the Cryptic free?
Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Mosaic Stack free?
Mosaic Stack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Cracking the Cryptic or Mosaic Stack have ads?
Mosaic Stack shows ads; Cracking the Cryptic does not.
Which is updated more often, Cracking the Cryptic or Mosaic Stack?
Cracking the Cryptic ships an update every 3 weeks, and Mosaic Stack every 6 days. Most recently, Cracking the Cryptic was updated on October 24, 2026 and Mosaic Stack on October 24, 2026.

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