# Upwords vs Permutations

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Permutations at 100% against Upwords's 60%. Permutations also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). Upwords's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 4 weeks) and ratings volume (9.3K vs 10). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Upwords sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Permutations asks for nothing beyond the download.

Permutations holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Upwords has 9.3K ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of Upwords's written reviews are positive against 100% of Permutations's.

Upwords ships an update every 2 days, Permutations every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Upwords | Permutations |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (9.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/upwords-fun-with-words/id588252565/reviews) | **[5.0 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/permutations/id6748927376/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **9.3K** | 10 |
| Positive reviews | 60.1% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 days** | Every 4 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 51 MB | 119 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Lonely Star Software, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284572331) | [Pam Formato](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896761336) |

## What reviewers say

### 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 (10)**

| 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 |
| 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 |

**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


### Permutations

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/permutations/id6748927376)

A competitive board game where players combine three dice using math operations to place tiles. The goal is to connect four of your tiles in a row to win.

**Highlights:** Combine 3 dice with math operations, Place tiles on a board, Connect 4 tiles to win, Competitive two-player gameplay, Original board game design

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Upwords free?

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

### Is Permutations free?

Permutations is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Upwords or Permutations?

Permutations is rated higher. Upwords averages 4.7 out of 5 from 9.3K ratings, while Permutations averages 5.0 from 10 ratings.

### Do Upwords or Permutations have ads?

Upwords shows ads; Permutations does not.

### Which is updated more often, Upwords or Permutations?

Upwords ships an update every 2 days, and Permutations every 4 weeks. Most recently, Upwords was updated on November 3, 2026 and Permutations 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.*