# Upwords vs Backronym Showdown

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Backronym Showdown at none against Upwords's 12. Backronym Showdown also leads on ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Upwords sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Backronym Showdown asks for nothing beyond the download.

## The numbers

| Metric | Upwords | Backronym Showdown |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (9.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/upwords/id588252565/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **9.2K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 67.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days | — |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 91 MB | 60 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Lonely Star Software, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284572331) | [Down to Earth Cloud Solutions, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/6784085713) |

## What reviewers say

### Upwords

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

This word stacking game challenges you to transform existing words by stacking letters on top. Score higher by stacking higher and outsmarting opponents. Play with friends, strangers, or against the computer.

**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

**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


### Backronym Showdown

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backronym-showdown/id6784085711)

**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 Backronym Showdown free?

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

### Do Upwords or Backronym Showdown have ads?

Upwords shows ads; Backronym Showdown does not.

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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.*