# Cryptogram vs NFG Words

The clearest difference is review sentiment: NFG Words at 100% against Cryptogram's 22%. NFG Words also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 21) and ads (none vs shown). Cryptogram's advantage is chart position (#23 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cryptogram sells 19 one-off in-app purchases. NFG Words asks for nothing beyond the download.

Cryptogram ships an update every 3 weeks, NFG Words every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cryptogram | NFG Words |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (239K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptogram-word-brain-puzzle/id1644099880/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **239K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 21.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#23** | — |
| Size | 350 MB | 214 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Joyteractive](https://appshunter.io/developer/1709316809) | [YUSUF ALI](https://appshunter.io/developer/6771854368) |

## What reviewers say

### Cryptogram

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptogram-word-brain-puzzle/id1644099880)

**Currently charting:** #23 Top Free · Word, #55 Top Grossing · Word, #126 Top Free · Puzzle (US App Store)

Engage your mind with a logic game that challenges you to decode secret messages and solve word puzzles. Uncover famous quotes and tackle increasingly difficult challenges in a fun, brain-exercising experience.

**Highlights:** Decode secret messages, Solve word puzzles, Uncover famous quotes, Logic challenges, Increasing difficulty, Variety of puzzle types

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

**In-app purchases (19)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Pack of Hints | $1.99 | one-time |
| Skipit 20 SmallPackSale | $1.99 | one-time |
| Hint Pack: Cryptogram Puzzles | $2.99 | one-time |
| Skipit 3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Piggy Bank | $2.99 | one-time |
| Regular offer | $3.99 | one-time |
| Starter Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| No Ads (7 days) | $3.99 | one-time |
| No Ads (7days) | $3.99 | one-time |
| Ad-Free: Cryptogram Puzzles | $4.99 | one-time |
| No Ads (14 days) | $4.99 | one-time |
| Big Hints Pack: Cryptogram | $5.99 | one-time |
| Skipit 8 | $5.99 | one-time |
| VIP status | $5.99 | one-time |
| No Ads (30 days) | $5.99 | one-time |
| Regular Offer | $7.99 | one-time |
| 5000 Coins | $9.99 | one-time |
| Regular offer | $19.99 | one-time |
| Super Pack | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun and challenging puzzles
- 🧠 Engaging brain exercise
- 📚 Variety of categories and themes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💢 Excessive and intrusive ads
- 🔍 Small/hard-to-read numbers
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔋 Battery draining issues

**Reported bugs**

- Puzzles getting stuck or resetting progress
- Clue/hint feature not working properly
- Compatibility issues on some devices

**Requested features**

- Option to remove ads for a fee
- Dark mode for easier reading
- Ability to replay past puzzles
- Improved accuracy of quotes and attributions


### NFG Words

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfg-words/id6778075713)

Engage in a collection of word puzzles, including a unique WordWheel mechanic where you spin letters around a center vowel to form words and complete crosswords. Progress through handcrafted levels, compete on leaderboards, and enjoy daily challenges.

**Highlights:** WordWheel puzzles, 2,000+ handcrafted levels, Timed word challenges, Daily word puzzles, Global leaderboards, Player profiles, Offline progress saving

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cryptogram free?

Cryptogram is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is NFG Words free?

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

### Do Cryptogram or NFG Words have ads?

Cryptogram shows ads; NFG Words does not.

### Which is updated more often, Cryptogram or NFG Words?

Cryptogram ships an update every 3 weeks, and NFG Words every 5 weeks. Most recently, Cryptogram was updated on September 26, 2026 and NFG Words on September 10, 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.*