# KenKen Classic vs Cracking the Cryptic

The clearest difference is ads: Cracking the Cryptic at none against KenKen Classic's shown. Cracking the Cryptic also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). KenKen Classic's advantage is ratings volume (3.2K vs 208). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. KenKen Classic sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year and Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

KenKen Classic holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: KenKen Classic has 3.2K ratings behind it against 208, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 72% and 72% positive.

KenKen Classic ships an update every 4 months, Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | KenKen Classic | Cracking the Cryptic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (3.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kenken-classic/id485694706/reviews)** | [4.4 (208 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3.2K** | 208 |
| Positive reviews | **72.3% of reviews** | 72.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 40 MB | 234 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.1** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [KenKen Puzzle](https://appshunter.io/developer/485694769) | [Nick Carney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434235673) |

## What reviewers say

### KenKen Classic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kenken-classic/id485694706)

Engage your mind with this addictive logic and math puzzle game. It offers a virtually unlimited supply of challenges with adjustable difficulty and grid sizes. Enjoy a fun way to train your brain with a trusted source of daily puzzles.

**Highlights:** Unlimited puzzles, Adjustable difficulty and grid size, Multiple input modes, Hints, Undo, Redo, Reset, Online leaderboards, Color schemes and music options

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Year Subscription NO ADS! | $19.99 | per year |
| 500 KenKen toKENs | $0.99 | one-time |
| 31 Puzzles PLUS removal of all ads! | $1.99 | one-time |
| 250 Puzzles PLUS removal of all ads! | $7.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Puzzles PLUS removal of all ads! | $14.99 | one-time |
| Annual Unlimited Subscription - Ad Free | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun and challenging puzzles
- 🧠 Helps improve math and logic skills
- ⭐ Great variety of puzzle sizes and difficulties
- 🏆 Satisfying to solve puzzles
- 💻 Clean and intuitive user interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Limited number of free puzzles
- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases for more puzzles
- 🐛 Buggy undo/redo functionality
- 🔀 Cursor/selection issues when switching between note-taking and number entry
- 📢 Intrusive ads

**Reported bugs**

- Puzzles disappearing after device reset or upgrade
- Purchased puzzles not syncing across devices
- App crashing or freezing

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Ability to save and revert puzzle progress
- No-op puzzles for advanced players
- Improved puzzle loading and syncing across devices


### Cracking the Cryptic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934)

This app offers a curated collection of handcrafted Sudoku puzzles from world-renowned constructors. Explore classic and unique variants, with new puzzle packs released regularly. A free introductory pack is included with download.

**Highlights:** Handcrafted Sudoku puzzles, Curated by expert constructors, Classic and unique variants, Regularly released puzzle packs, Free introductory puzzle pack

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

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CTC Worms - James Sinclair | $0.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Marty Sears | $0.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Zetamath | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Blobz | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Michael Lefkowitz | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Phistomefel | $1.99 | one-time |
| GAS Volume #1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| GAS Volume #2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| CTC Approachable Sudoku #1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Domino Sudoku Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Lines Variety Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Classic Volume #2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| CTC Fog Pack #1 | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Best sudoku app
- 👍 Great variety of puzzles
- 👍 Excellent user interface
- 👍 Challenging and fun puzzles
- 👍 Constant updates with new puzzles

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Hints are often incorrect or unhelpful
- 🐛 Bugs and crashes, especially after updates
- 🔋 Battery draining issues
- 🔒 Too many in-app purchases required to access content

**Reported bugs**

- Puzzle progress and purchases disappearing after updates
- Incorrect rules or hints in certain puzzles
- Crashes and freezes, especially on older devices or Macs
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between portrait and landscape modes

**Requested features**

- Add more color options for pencil marking and highlighting
- Implement a way to clear progress or start puzzles from scratch
- Integrate all CTC apps into a single app for better organization
- Add keyboard support, especially on Mac
- Improve the quality and clarity of hints


## Frequently asked questions

### Is KenKen Classic free?

KenKen Classic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Cracking the Cryptic free?

Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, KenKen Classic or Cracking the Cryptic?

KenKen Classic is rated higher. KenKen Classic averages 4.6 out of 5 from 3.2K ratings, while Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 from 208 ratings.

### Do KenKen Classic or Cracking the Cryptic have ads?

KenKen Classic shows ads; Cracking the Cryptic does not.

### Which is updated more often, KenKen Classic or Cracking the Cryptic?

KenKen Classic ships an update every 4 months, and Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. Most recently, KenKen Classic was updated on September 22, 2026 and Cracking the Cryptic 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.*