# Cryptogram vs Cryptogram IQ

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cryptogram | Cryptogram IQ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptogram/id380210791/reviews)** | [4.6 (216 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptogram-iq-word-master/id6480098884/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2K** | 216 |
| Positive reviews | **91.1% of reviews** | 83.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#61** | — |
| Size | 15 MB | 65 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Norman Basham](https://appshunter.io/developer/1710814251) | [Megarama Games Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/987479598) |

## What reviewers say

### Cryptogram

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

**Currently charting:** #61 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


### Cryptogram IQ

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptogram-iq-word-master/id6480098884)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- App faulty, won't open after reaching a certain level


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*