# Astraware Crosswords vs Codewords +

The clearest difference is ads: Codewords + at none against Astraware Crosswords's shown. Codewords + also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.6). Astraware Crosswords's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 39 months). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Astraware Crosswords sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Codewords + sells 16 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Astraware Crosswords against 4.8 for Codewords +. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 330 and 352 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 82% of Astraware Crosswords's written reviews are positive against 89% of Codewords +'s.

Astraware Crosswords ships an update every 2 months, Codewords + every 39 months. Both last shipped on October 10, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Astraware Crosswords | Codewords + |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (330 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astraware-crosswords/id586165296/reviews) | **[4.8 (352 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codewords-plus/id598055041/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 330 | **352** |
| Positive reviews | 81.6% of reviews | **88.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 39 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 37 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **9.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Astraware Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/392328106) | [Sarah Pierce](https://appshunter.io/developer/406813189) |

## What reviewers say

### Astraware Crosswords

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astraware-crosswords/id586165296)

Enjoy daily crossword puzzles on the go with this app. It offers free daily and weekly puzzles, with options to purchase additional packs for offline play. A subscription unlocks all puzzles and removes ads.

**Highlights:** Daily quick-style crosswords, Free weekly larger puzzles, Offline puzzle packs, Adjustable difficulty and grid sizes, Global leaderboards, Optional subscription for unlimited access

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

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Puzzles Plus | $1.99 | per month |
| Puzzles Plus | $2.99 | per 3 months |
| Puzzles Plus | $7.99 | per year |
| Fun-Size Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Family Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Easy Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Tough Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Vacation Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Ad-free daily puzzles | $4.99 | one-time |
| Deluxe Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Deluxe Pack 2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Calendar Pack 2013 | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Enjoyable crosswords
- 🧠 Keeps mind active
- 🕰️ Good daily challenge
- 💰 Free with optional in-app purchases
- 🔍 Helpful hints and solver features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and freezes after updates
- 📢 Intrusive ads
- 🔍 Obscure or illogical clues
- 🔁 Repetitive puzzles and clues
- 🌐 Some British-centric content for US users

**Reported bugs**

- Puzzle timer issues
- Leaderboard scores not updating properly
- Purchased puzzle packs disappearing after updates

**Requested features**

- More daily puzzles
- Ability to save/resume puzzles
- Customizable difficulty levels
- Offline puzzle packs
- Improved keyboard and input responsiveness


### Codewords +

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codewords-plus/id598055041)

Solve crosswords where letters are replaced by numbers. Decipher the code to reveal the hidden words. Offers five difficulty levels, making it suitable for beginners and experienced players alike. Enjoy a clean, digital experience with unlimited attempts and progress tracking.

**Highlights:** Number-coded crosswords, Five difficulty levels, 1400 puzzles available, Progress tracking, Mental exercise

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

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gentle Pack #1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Gentle Pack #2 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Easy Pack #1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Easy Pack #2 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack #1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack #2 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Hard Pack #1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Hard Pack #2 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Expert Pack #1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Gentle Pack #4 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Gentle Pack #3 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack #4 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack #3 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Hard Pack #4 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Hard Pack #3 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Megapack | $6.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great app, no ads
- 🎯 Well designed and straightforward to use
- 🧠 Challenging and engaging
- 🔍 Helps sharpen the mind
- 💡 Beats paper version

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Not entirely free, have to pay for more puzzles
- 🌐 Uses American spelling, not suitable for UK users
- 🔍 Hard to see/read visuals
- 💰 A little too pricey for the number of puzzles

**Reported bugs**

- Puzzle #29 looks different from actual puzzle
- App is slowing down user's phone, needs update

**Requested features**

- Add a help/clue button
- Option to choose UK English spelling
- Add a timer for more challenge
- Allow users to insert letters manually
- Add more puzzles/levels


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Astraware Crosswords free?

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

### Is Codewords + free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Astraware Crosswords or Codewords +?

Codewords + is rated higher. Astraware Crosswords averages 4.7 out of 5 from 330 ratings, while Codewords + averages 4.8 from 352 ratings.

### Do Astraware Crosswords or Codewords + have ads?

Astraware Crosswords shows ads; Codewords + does not.

### Which is updated more often, Astraware Crosswords or Codewords +?

Astraware Crosswords ships an update every 2 months, and Codewords + every 39 months. Most recently, Astraware Crosswords was updated on October 10, 2026 and Codewords + on October 10, 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.*