# Across Crossword Trainer vs Squell

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Squell at none against Across Crossword Trainer's 6. Squell also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 2 months) and price ($0.99 vs $6.99). Across Crossword Trainer's advantage is ratings volume (130 vs 26). On rating, review sentiment, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Across Crossword Trainer costs $6.99 and Squell $0.99 up front. Across Crossword Trainer sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Squell asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Across Crossword Trainer against 4.8 for Squell. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Across Crossword Trainer has 130 ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 96% of Across Crossword Trainer's written reviews are positive against 100% of Squell's.

Across Crossword Trainer ships an update every 2 months, Squell every 8 days. Both last shipped on October 22, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Across Crossword Trainer | Squell |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $6.99 | **$0.99** |
| Rating | [4.7 (130 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/across-crossword-trainer/id390989290/reviews) | **[4.8 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/squell/id6448856591/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **130** | 26 |
| Positive reviews | 95.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#141** |
| Size | 28 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Literate Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/390989293) | [Compassionate Robot Studios LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1665027379) |

## What reviewers say

### Across Crossword Trainer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/across-crossword-trainer/id390989290)

Learn to solve US-style English crosswords with this expertly designed app. It offers a collection of 75 specially crafted puzzles with learning notes to improve your skills, progressing from easy to advanced levels. Tackle published crosswords with confidence after completing the included challenges.

**Highlights:** Learn crossword solving techniques, 75 professionally constructed crosswords, Learning notes for each puzzle, Progression from easy to advanced levels, Unique interface like a printed crossword, Automated help for scanning and selecting clues

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gaffney's Mini Puzzles | $0.99 | one-time |
| Beguiling Bogglers | $0.99 | one-time |
| Confounding Challenges | $0.99 | one-time |
| Crosswords You Can Finish | $2.99 | one-time |
| Gaffney's Minis Practice Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Jonesin' Omnibus | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 📚 Excellent progressive learning structure from beginner to advanced
- 👍 User-friendly interface that's intuitive and easy to navigate
- 🧠 Effective teaching methodology with helpful hints and tips
- 🎯 Clear cumulative puzzles with step-by-step guidance
- 💰 Great value and reasonable pricing

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⌨️ Unconventional split-keyboard letter entry system is awkward
- 🎯 Inconsistent letter input responsiveness, requires multiple taps
- 🇺🇸 Heavy American bias in clues and references
- 📝 Weak puzzle construction with excessive whitespace
- 🔄 Repetitive clues and answers across puzzles

**Reported bugs**

- Split keyboard letter input is unreliable and requires excessive tapping
- Letters on left side of screen don't always respond to first tap
- App occasionally jumps to other squares unexpectedly
- Accidental letter taps count as errors against user
- Inconsistent tap detection requiring edge-of-key tapping

**Requested features**

- More puzzles and expanded content library
- In-game dictionary or definition lookup for educational value
- Traditional keyboard option for letter entry
- Horizontal puzzle orientation support
- Better international/non-American clue options


### Squell

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/squell/id6448856591)

**Currently charting:** #141 Top Paid · Word (US App Store)

A casual spelling game combining vocabulary challenges with spatial reasoning. Rearrange letter grids to form words, with move count impacting score. Enjoy offline play and save progress to return anytime.

**Highlights:** Spatial reasoning word puzzles, Move-based scoring system, Save progress and resume anytime, Offline gameplay, Addictive and engaging gameplay, Simple, clean design

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Addictive gameplay
- 👶 Engaging for all ages
- 🧠 Challenges mental abilities
- 👌 Simple and clean design
- 🎯 Provides feedback and rewards

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⏰ Lack of leaderboard feature


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Across Crossword Trainer free?

Across Crossword Trainer costs $6.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Squell free?

Squell costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Across Crossword Trainer or Squell?

Squell is rated higher. Across Crossword Trainer averages 4.7 out of 5 from 130 ratings, while Squell averages 4.8 from 26 ratings.

### Do Across Crossword Trainer or Squell have ads?

Neither Across Crossword Trainer nor Squell shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Across Crossword Trainer or Squell?

Across Crossword Trainer ships an update every 2 months, and Squell every 8 days. Most recently, Across Crossword Trainer was updated on October 22, 2026 and Squell on October 22, 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.*