Upwords vs Permutations
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Upwords
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.
- Stack letters to change words
- Score points based on stacking height
- Play with friends globally
- Challenge computer opponents
- Pass & Play mode
- In-game chat
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UPWORDS – The Stacking Word Game! UPWORDS is the classic 3D crossword game where you don’t just play words… you change them! Stack letters on top of existing words to transform them into new words. Score more points the higher you stack, and outsmart your opponents. Why you’ll love it: - Fun, fast, and endlessly repayable - Play with friends around the world or challenge random opponents - Join a Tournament! - Test yourself against the Computer (4 skill levels) - Pass & Play with family on one device - In-game chat keeps the competition lively UPWORDS is more than just fun — it keeps your brain sharp as you find clever ways to build and stack words. The higher you go, the higher you score! Download today and start stacking your way to victory. -- Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.upwords-app.com/privacy.html
Permutations
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.
- Combine 3 dice with math operations
- Place tiles on a board
- Connect 4 tiles to win
- Competitive two-player gameplay
- Original board game design
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3 Dice, so many possibilities! Permutations is a competitive original board game by veteran game designer Pam Formato. Take turns with your opponent, combining 3 dice together with basic math operations to place your tile on the board. Connect 4 of your tiles in a row to win!
Screenshots
Verdict
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.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
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.
| Parameter | Upwords | Permutations |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (9.3K ratings) | 5.0 (10 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 60.1% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 9.3K — better | 10 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days — better | Every 4 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 119 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Lonely Star Software, Inc. | Pam Formato |
Customer experience
Upwords
Permutations
Bugs and requests
Upwords
Reported bugs
4 issues- Ads that cannot be closed
- Frequent crashes and freezes
- Login and verification issues
- Incorrect scoring and word validation
Requested features
5 requests- Option to use British dictionary
- Choice of dictionaries
- Ability to swap more than one letter
- Show opponent's remaining tiles
- Fairer letter distribution
Permutations
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Upwords
- Premium Bundle Monthly7 Days trial$1.491 Month
- Premium Bundle Yearly7 Days trial$11.991 Year
- Full Upgrade - Free!Free
- Word Glow$1.99
- 20 Tokens$1.99
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- 60 Tokens$4.99
- 125 Tokens$9.99
- Large Token Pack$9.99
- 260 Tokens$19.99
- Premium Bundle Lifetime$34.99
Permutations
No in-app purchases
