Comparison

Orbus vs Cryptical

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side โ€” with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Orbus

Features
Read full description

Completely free tangram style puzzle game. Move the shapes to fill in the puzzle. Unlimited levels so just keep on playing.

About

Cryptical

Features
Read full description

Want a fiendish cryptic crossword? Purchase crosswords by professional setters and use the simple, expertly designed interface to solve. Subscribe to get three crosswords free a month plus much more. Need a simpler entry to cryptics? The Cryptical Community has recent single daily clues for free. Look out for the pro submissions! Fancy yourself as a crossword setter? User the Creator to construct your own clues and crosswords. Subscribe and you can share your own creations with the Cryptical Community. You might even feature on the daily clue! Stuck on a really tough clue? Get incremental hints to get you moving again. Use the anagram helper to make hidden words stand out. If you still don't understand the wordplay after all the hints get a clear explanation of how the clue works and level up your solving. Want to collaborate on a crossword? Invite another crossword fan to join in and solve in real-time together. Use the Brainstorm in-app messaging to discuss wordplay and get in-grid notifications badges on clues. Want to get help on your daily cryptic before the answers are released? Easily capture and upload printed newspaper or magazine crosswords, with or without answers, to use the app's solving tools and generated hints. Need a break from the cryptic clues? Get an easy or challenging themed non-cryptic crossword to test your general knowledge! Download the app and get solving! Privacy Policy: www.crypticalcrosswords.com/privacy Terms of Use: www.crypticalcrosswords.com/terms

Screenshots

Orbus2 screens
Cryptical4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Orbus at none against Cryptical's 10. Orbus also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). Cryptical's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 13 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Cryptical sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Orbus asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Orbus ships an update every 13 months, Cryptical weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 3 level
Orbus versus Cryptical: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOrbusCryptical
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 13 monthsWeekly โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo โ€” betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPod โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS14.0 โ€” better16.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size4 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAstroByte LtdBenjamin Law Smith

In-app purchases

None

Orbus

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Cryptical

One-time10
  • Puzzle by CatnipFree
  • Sloggers & Betters York 2026Free
  • Puzzle by ExitFree
Show 7 more
  • Await Further Instructions by HenriFree
  • Puzzle by InvictaFree
  • Puzzle by MajorFree
  • Bad Postman by NoBadWeatherFree
  • Puzzle by OuroborosFree
  • Puzzle by tpgFree
  • Phiday #1 by Phi$0.49

Questions

Is Orbus free?
Orbus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cryptical free?
Cryptical is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Orbus or Cryptical have ads?
Neither Orbus nor Cryptical shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Orbus or Cryptical?
Orbus ships an update every 13 months, and Cryptical weekly. Most recently, Orbus was updated on November 7, 2026 and Cryptical on November 8, 2026.

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