# Cryptogram vs Acrostic Crossword Puzzles

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Cryptogram at none against Acrostic Crossword Puzzles's 12. Cryptogram also leads on review sentiment (91% vs 81%) and price ($4.99 vs $5.99). On rating, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Cryptogram costs $4.99 and Acrostic Crossword Puzzles $5.99 up front. Acrostic Crossword Puzzles sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. Cryptogram asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Cryptogram against 4.8 for Acrostic Crossword Puzzles. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.2K and 1.5K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of Cryptogram's written reviews are positive against 81% of Acrostic Crossword Puzzles's.

Cryptogram ships an update every 2 months, Acrostic Crossword Puzzles every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 19, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cryptogram | Acrostic Crossword Puzzles |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $5.99 |
| Rating | [4.7 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptogram/id380210791/reviews) | **[4.8 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/acrostic-crossword-puzzles/id580847667/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1.2K | **1.5K** |
| Positive reviews | **91.1% of reviews** | 81.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #75 | **#54** |
| Size | 15 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Norman Basham](https://appshunter.io/developer/1710814251) | [Egghead Games LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/809161928) |

## What reviewers say

### Cryptogram

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptogram/id380210791)

**Currently charting:** #75 Top Paid · Word (US App Store)

Solve encrypted quotes by deciphering letter substitutions. This app offers over 1,900 puzzles with handpicked quotes and helpful features like unlimited hints and quote collection.

**Highlights:** Over 1,900 puzzles, Handpicked quotes, Unlimited hints, Quote Book for collecting, Search and share quotes, Light and dark mode

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Well-designed app for iPad
- 📚 Excellent selection of puzzles
- 🎨 Exceptional visual design
- 👍 Enjoyable and relaxing solving experience
- 🧠 Challenging and brain-stimulating

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Background can be distracting for some
- 🔤 Difficulty with accented letters in author names
- 🔁 Repeated puzzles for frequent players

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch for some users
- Sharing features not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Ability to mark/cross off used letters
- Option to turn off timer
- Harder and longer puzzles
- Puzzles in other languages


### Acrostic Crossword Puzzles

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/acrostic-crossword-puzzles/id580847667)

**Currently charting:** #54 Top Paid · Word (US App Store)

Engage your mind with a unique word game that blends crosswords and cryptograms. Solve puzzles to reveal hidden quotes, with letters in the quote directly corresponding to letters in the answers. Enjoy a challenging yet fun brain workout with a vast library of puzzles.

**Highlights:** Hidden quote revelation, Crossword and cryptogram blend, Automatic grid updating, Multi-level undo, Error removal, Hint system

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Puzzle Baron Volume 9 | $3.99 | one-time |
| PennyPress Vol 2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Baron Acrostics - v2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Baron Volume 3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Baron Volume 4 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Baron Volume 5 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Baron Volume 6 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Baron Volume 7 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Baron Volume 8 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Baron Volume 1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Anarostics by PennyPress Vol 1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Acrostica I - 48 puzzles | $7.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cryptogram free?

Cryptogram costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Acrostic Crossword Puzzles free?

Acrostic Crossword Puzzles costs $5.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Cryptogram or Acrostic Crossword Puzzles?

Acrostic Crossword Puzzles is rated higher. Cryptogram averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Acrostic Crossword Puzzles averages 4.8 from 1.5K ratings.

### Do Cryptogram or Acrostic Crossword Puzzles have ads?

Neither Cryptogram nor Acrostic Crossword Puzzles shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cryptogram or Acrostic Crossword Puzzles?

Cryptogram ships an update every 2 months, and Acrostic Crossword Puzzles every 3 weeks. Most recently, Cryptogram was updated on October 19, 2026 and Acrostic Crossword Puzzles on October 19, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Cryptogram or Acrostic Crossword Puzzles?

Cryptogram currently peaks at #75 in the App Store charts, and Acrostic Crossword Puzzles at #54. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*