# Word Chums! vs Upwords

The clearest difference is update cadence: Upwords at every 2 days against Word Chums!'s every 4 months. Word Chums!'s advantage is review sentiment (89% vs 60%) and chart position (#63 vs unranked). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Word Chums! sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Upwords sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Word Chums! against 4.7 for Upwords. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24K and 9.3K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 89% of Word Chums!'s written reviews are positive against 60% of Upwords's.

Word Chums! ships an update every 4 months, Upwords every 2 days. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Word Chums! | Upwords |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (24K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-chums/id517840944/reviews)** | [4.7 (9.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/upwords-fun-with-words/id588252565/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **24K** | 9.3K |
| Positive reviews | **88.7% of reviews** | 60.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#63** | — |
| Size | 216 MB | 51 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PeopleFun, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/517840947) | [Lonely Star Software, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284572331) |

## What reviewers say

### Word Chums!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-chums/id517840944)

**Currently charting:** #63 Top Grossing · Word, #121 Top Grossing · Board (US App Store)

Engage in a highly-rated word puzzle game with fun graphics and a built-in dictionary. Compete with friends, customize characters, and enjoy streamlined gameplay with helpful hints. It offers a deep gaming experience for word enthusiasts.

**Highlights:** 2-4 player games, Play versus friends, Chumbots, Customizable Chum characters, Built-in dictionary with definitions, Weekly leaderboards, Hints for better word placement, Leveling and achievements

**Features:** iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 500 Coins | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1,100 Coins | $1.99 | one-time |
| Get 2,200 Coins | $1.99 | one-time |
| Starter Bundle | $2.99 | one-time |
| 3,000 Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| Premium Upgrade | $4.99 | one-time |
| 6,500 Coins | $9.99 | one-time |
| 13,000 Coins | $9.99 | one-time |
| 17,500 Coins | $24.99 | one-time |
| 40,000 Coins | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💖 Love the game
- 👍 Fun to play
- 🧠 Keeps mind active
- 🤝 Ability to play with friends
- 🎨 Customizable characters

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🗣️ Censorship of chat messages
- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
- 🔍 Dictionary issues - missing common words
- 🔁 Too many ads that interrupt gameplay
- 🔔 Notification issues

**Reported bugs**

- Ads that cannot be closed
- Incorrect game statistics and leaderboards
- Crashes and freezes after updates

**Requested features**

- Improved dictionary and word acceptance
- More ways to earn in-game currency
- Better matchmaking and opponent selection
- Group chat/messaging features
- Parental controls for younger players


### Upwords

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/upwords-fun-with-words/id588252565)

This word stacking game challenges you to transform existing words by stacking letters on top. Score higher by stacking letters higher, and outsmart opponents in competitive play. Enjoy fast-paced, brain-sharpening fun with friends or against AI.

**Highlights:** Stack letters to change words, Score points based on stacking height, Play with friends globally, Challenge computer opponents, Pass & Play mode, In-game chat

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

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Bundle Monthly | $1.49 | per month |
| Premium Bundle Yearly | $11.99 | per year |
| Full Upgrade - Free! | Free | one-time |
| Word Glow | $1.99 | one-time |
| 20 Tokens | $1.99 | one-time |
| Medium Token Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| 60 Tokens | $4.99 | one-time |
| 125 Tokens | $9.99 | one-time |
| Large Token Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| 260 Tokens | $19.99 | one-time |
| Premium Bundle Lifetime | $34.99 | one-time |
| 610 Tokens | $44.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great online game
- 🤝 Competitive and fun
- 🧠 Keeps the brain active
- 🌐 Connects players globally
- 🕰️ Enjoyable to play daily

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔤 Questionable dictionary
- 🤖 Computer uses invalid words
- 🤑 Expensive for a 50MB app
- 🚫 Rejects valid words
- 💤 Lack of help from developers

**Reported bugs**

- Ads that cannot be closed
- Frequent crashes and freezes
- Login and verification issues
- Incorrect scoring and word validation

**Requested features**

- Option to use British dictionary
- Choice of dictionaries
- Ability to swap more than one letter
- Show opponent's remaining tiles
- Fairer letter distribution


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Word Chums! free?

Word Chums! is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Upwords free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Word Chums! or Upwords?

Word Chums! is rated higher. Word Chums! averages 4.8 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Upwords averages 4.7 from 9.3K ratings.

### Do Word Chums! or Upwords have ads?

Both Word Chums! and Upwords show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Word Chums! or Upwords?

Word Chums! ships an update every 4 months, and Upwords every 2 days. Most recently, Word Chums! was updated on November 3, 2026 and Upwords on November 3, 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.*