Comparison

Cryptogram vs Cryptogram IQ

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

Head to head
About

Cryptogram

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
Currently charting
Read full description

FEATURE PACKED! • No ads • Over 1,900 puzzles • Handpicked quotes • Optionally show incorrect answers • Optionally include author in puzzle • Unlimited hints • Landscape & portrait • Puzzles include punctuation • Puzzles size to screen, no scrolling • Light and dark mode • Auto advance after guess • Perfect game recognition • Show letter usage counts • Collect quotes with built in Quote Book • Search and share quotes (Messages, email, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) A cryptogram is a quote that has been encrypted using letter substitution where each letter stands uniquely for another letter in the alphabet. Your job is to decode the message in the least amount of time by substituting each letter.

About

Cryptogram IQ

Decode cryptic ciphers and solve word puzzles by connecting letters and numbers. Use logic and clues to decipher hidden quotes and expand your vocabulary. This game offers thousands of challenges to test your word search and logic skills.

Highlights
  • Decode cryptic ciphers
  • Solve cross-logic puzzles
  • Connect letters and numbers
  • Decrypt hidden quotes
  • Enhance logic skills
  • Expand vocabulary
Features
Read full description

Cryptogram IQ is a word puzzle that challenges you to decode cryptic ciphers, make connections between letters and numbers, and figure out each clue to complete the cross-logic puzzles. In this game, you crack the code, connect the correct letters, and complete the decoding process of quotes using clues. You need to use your logic skills to hunt for hidden letters in clues and words that have associations to decipher each quote. Decrypt hidden quotes in thousands of puzzles and become the crypto master. How to Play: - Your main objective is to decipher the quotes by finding the right letters. - Utilize clues and words like definitions and sayings to find letters. - The correct letters auto-fill throughout the puzzle. - Pay attention to filling in the main quote dashes. Game Features: - Cryptograms enhance logic and word search skills with each puzzle solved. - Learn new words and expand your vocabulary while playing daily! - User-friendly crossword game for adults. - The quotes have been carefully selected and verified to ensure they are error free. Get ready to explore the cryptogram challenge and search for inspirational quotes in this zen word puzzle game! Download Now!

Screenshots

Cryptogram4 screens
Cryptogram IQ4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Cryptogram IQ at Free against Cryptogram's $4.99. Cryptogram IQ also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Cryptogram's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On rating, review sentiment, device support and iOS requirement 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

Cryptogram IQ is free to download; Cryptogram costs $4.99 up front. Cryptogram IQ sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Cryptogram asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Cryptogram against 4.6 for Cryptogram IQ. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cryptogram has 1.2K ratings behind it against 216, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of Cryptogram's written reviews are positive against 83% of Cryptogram IQ's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cryptogram ships an update every 2 months, Cryptogram IQ every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Cryptogram versus Cryptogram IQ: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCryptogramCryptogram IQ
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (1.2K ratings) — better4.6 (216 ratings)
Positive reviews91.1% of reviews — better83.3% of reviews
Number of ratings1.2K — better216
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#61 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB65 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperNorman BashamMegarama Games Ltd

Customer experience

Cryptogram

All ratings1,244 ratings
Positive94.5%
Neutral2.3%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews168 reviews
Positive91.1%
Neutral3.6%
Negative5.4%

Cryptogram IQ

All ratings216 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral6.5%
Negative4.6%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral11.1%
Negative5.6%

User reviews

Cryptogram

From 1.2K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

Cryptogram IQ

From 216 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Fun and enjoyable gameplay
  • 🧠 Keeps brain sharp and challenged
  • 💡 New and different from other games
  • 😌 Relaxing experience
  • 🤔 Makes you think outside the box

Room to improve

  • 😵 Endless and overwhelming ads
  • 💰 High cost to remove ads
  • 🔄 Repetitive with few games

Bugs and requests

Cryptogram

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App crashes on launch for some users
  • Sharing features not working as expected

Requested features

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

Cryptogram IQ

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • App faulty, won't open after reaching a certain level

In-app purchases

None

Cryptogram

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Cryptogram IQ

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$9.99

Questions

Is Cryptogram free?
Cryptogram costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cryptogram IQ free?
Cryptogram IQ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Cryptogram or Cryptogram IQ?
Cryptogram is rated higher. Cryptogram averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Cryptogram IQ averages 4.6 from 216 ratings.
Do Cryptogram or Cryptogram IQ have ads?
Cryptogram IQ shows ads; Cryptogram does not.
Which is updated more often, Cryptogram or Cryptogram IQ?
Cryptogram ships an update every 2 months, and Cryptogram IQ every 3 weeks. Most recently, Cryptogram was updated on September 28, 2026 and Cryptogram IQ on September 26, 2026.

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