Comparison

Astraware CodeWords vs Word Search

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Astraware CodeWords

This word puzzle game challenges you to crack a secret code by substituting numbers for letters in a crossword-style grid. Use logic and vocabulary to decipher words and climb the global leaderboard.

Highlights
  • Number-to-letter substitution puzzles
  • Daily and Weekender puzzles
  • 50 built-in puzzles
  • Extra puzzle streams
  • Intuitive interface
  • Highlighting for letter consistency
  • Manual and auto-fill options
Features
Read full description

Can you crack the code? Astraware CodeWords is an addictive word puzzle game with a difference! You start with a crosswords style grid but instead of words, each letter has been substituted with a number from 1 to 26. It is up to you to figure out which number stands for each letter! There are no clues but 3 letters are already in place to help you get started and each letter of the alphabet is used at least once. You start by guessing possible words and matching numbers with letters, until you've fully cracked the code - and your vocabulary and logical reasoning will be stretched along the way! Did you know that the letter 'e' is the most commonly used letter in English? Did you know that 'th' is the most common pair of letters to be seen together? You'll use this knowledge and more as you make your guesses and work out the words! Astraware CodeWords gives you access to play our free Daily puzzles - top the global leaderboard by completing the puzzle in the fastest time! For an extra challenge there is a Weekender puzzle available each Friday with a trickier grid and more unusual words. Great features include: - Unlimited access to our two Daily puzzles and Weekender puzzle. - A collection of 50 built-in puzzles in various sizes and difficulties, perfect for beginners and avid players - Extra puzzle streams for endless play - Intuitive interface - Highlighting to show where you've chosen the same letter for different numbers - Option to fill in letters manually, or choose auto to fill in all occurrences of that letter at once - Save slots available to have several puzzles on the go at once, so you can stop for a break and come back to a puzzle later - Option to purchase extra value puzzle packs for offline play - Puzzles Plus subscription for unlimited puzzles Puzzles Plus Subscription Terms and Details Puzzles Plus is our optional subscription for CodeWords which entitles you to play all of the available Daily, Weekender and Stream puzzles as soon as they are available, without in-game adverts or any requirement to earn tokens. Subscribers can also choose to highlight their high scores with a choice of badges. Subscriptions are available with renewal periods of either monthly, quarterly (every 3 months), or yearly. The price shown is the cost of the renewal, with the saving value for longer subscription periods as a comparison to the monthly option. After you confirm a subscription, you will have a free trial period of seven days. Your iTunes Account will be charged as soon as the free trial is over. If you cancel the subscription at any time before the free trial is over, you will not be billed. The subscriptions are automatically renewing, and you will be charged again at the end of your current subscription period. Your subscription will automatically renew unless you turn this off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. The renewal cost will be the same for each subscription period, and will be charged within the 24 hours before the end of your current subscription. You can manage the subscriptions at any time by going to the Account Settings in the Settings App after purchase. There are options to either change to a different renewal period (which will be at a different price) or to cancel your subscription completely. If you cancel the renewal you will still have access to the Puzzles Plus features until the full subscription period is complete. If you confirm the purchase of a subscription before the free trial is complete, any unused portion of the free trial will be lost. These terms are listed at the Astraware site at : https://www.astraware.com/about/puzzlesplus/ For more information on Data and Privacy, please view the Astraware Privacy page at http://www.astraware.com/privacy

About

Word Search

Engage your mind with a classic word search puzzle game. Discover hidden words across endless themed categories, perfect for all ages. Enjoy a relaxing, pressure-free experience with helpful hints and bonus rewards.

Highlights
  • Endless themed word search categories
  • Discover secret hidden words
  • Hints available for assistance
  • Bonus coins for finding words
  • No time limit or pressure
  • Play offline anytime, anywhere
Features
Read full description

Ready to search Hidden Words? Dive into the most special Word Search Game Puzzle! Each level contains endless themed word search categories, covering a mix of both fun and educational topics that both kids and adults can enjoy! Add even more excitement by finding secret Hidden Words. Word Search: Hidden Words! is a simple, classic word search game that you can enjoy with family and friends! If you like trivia, crossword puzzles or popular word games like Scrabble and Word Cookies, you'll be addicted to Word Search: Hidden Words! Download Hidden Words for free now! HOW TO PLAY • Swipe up, down, left, right or diagonally to search for given words • Uncover Hidden Words with hints from other swiped words! • Collect 6 Hidden Words and earn bonus coins! FEATURES • SIMPLE & EASY Enjoyable graphics with easy controls • BRAIN TEASER Stimulate and test your brain with bigger challenges as you advance! • SPECIAL REWARDS The more Hidden Words you find, the more bonus coins you get! • VARIOUS CATEGORIES Enjoy different categories like animals, food, sports, movies, etc. • NO PRESSURE Have a relaxing time with simple rules. • NO NEED TO RUSH There is no time limit or penalties. • HINTS AVAILABLE Use hints if you get stuck! • NO WIFI? NO PROBLEM! Enjoy the word search puzzle anytime, anywhere! Need Help? Have Questions? Please contact us at contactus@bitmango.com Visit Us https://www.bitmango.com Like Us on Facebook to Stay Up-to-Date! https://www.facebook.com/BitMangoGames Let's Play! Please Note -Word Search: Hidden Words! is supported on various mobile devices -Word Search: Hidden Words! contains ads like banners, interstitials, videos and house ads. -Word Search: Hidden Words! is free to play; however, you may purchase in-app contents like AD FREE and Coins Privacy Policy • https://www.bitmango.com/privacy-policy/

Screenshots

Astraware CodeWords4 screens
Word Search4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Word Search at every 2 weeks against Astraware CodeWords's every 6 weeks. Word Search also leads on ratings volume (3.4K vs 166). Astraware CodeWords's advantage is review sentiment (87% vs 76%). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Astraware CodeWords sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Word Search sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Astraware CodeWords holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Word Search has 3.4K ratings behind it against 166, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 87% of Astraware CodeWords's written reviews are positive against 76% of Word Search's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Astraware CodeWords ships an update every 6 weeks, Word Search every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Astraware CodeWords versus Word Search: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAstraware CodeWordsWord Search
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (166 ratings) — better4.5 (3.4K ratings)
Positive reviews87.4% of reviews — better76.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1663.4K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB190 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAstraware LimitedBitMango, Inc.

Customer experience

Astraware CodeWords

All ratings162 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral1.9%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews167 reviews
Positive87.4%
Neutral4.2%
Negative8.4%

Word Search

All ratings3,383 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral4.0%
Negative7.0%
Written reviews430 reviews
Positive76.0%
Neutral7.4%
Negative16.5%

User reviews

Astraware CodeWords

From 166 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Enjoyable and mentally stimulating
  • 🚀 Well-designed online puzzle
  • 👍 Challenging but always enjoyable
  • 👍 Great way to stimulate the brain
  • 👍 Excellent puzzles, fun and addictive

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inappropriate words in puzzles
  • 🔋 Increased ads and longer durations
  • 👎 Mandatory commercials ruin the experience
  • 👎 Repetitive long words make it too easy
  • 👎 Glitches and issues with latest update

Word Search

From 3.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fun and addictive
  • 👍 Helps with spelling and vocabulary
  • 👍 Relaxing and challenging
  • 👍 Great for brain exercise
  • 👍 Easy to play

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches
  • 💰 Too many ads
  • 🔋 Ads interrupt other activities
  • 🔒 Paid version doesn't always remove ads
  • 🔍 Lack of variety in word searches

Bugs and requests

Astraware CodeWords

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Hints not adding correctly to time
  • Game no longer loads after recent update
  • Purchased puzzles and packs not available

Requested features

4 requests
  • More free puzzles made available daily
  • Flashing empty space indicator for last letter
  • Theme-based puzzles and more daily challenges
  • Ability to opt-out of competitive leaderboard

Word Search

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Daily puzzle not working correctly
  • Game resets to early levels
  • Freezing and crashing issues
  • Misspelled words in some puzzles

Requested features

5 requests
  • More advanced gameplay and levels
  • Bigger and more complex word searches
  • Ability to find unintentional words for extra points
  • Option to turn off sound effects
  • Ability to progress further without needing to pay

In-app purchases

13 purchases

Astraware CodeWords

Subscriptions3
  • Puzzles Plus7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Puzzles Plus7 Days trial$2.993 Months
  • Puzzles Plus7 Days trial$7.991 Year
One-time10
  • Fun-size Pack$0.99
  • Family Pack$1.99
  • Tough Pack$1.99
Show 7 more
  • Easy Pack$1.99
  • Tough Pack 2$1.99
  • Vacation Pack$3.99
  • Ad-Free Daily Puzzles$4.99
  • Deluxe Pack$4.99
  • Deluxe Pack 2$4.99
  • Calendar Pack 2017$4.99
6 purchases

Word Search

One-time6
  • 240 coins$0.99
  • Remove Ads$1.99
  • 720 coins$2.99
Show 3 more
  • 1320 coins$4.99
  • 2920 coins$9.99
  • 6240coins$19.99

Questions

Is Astraware CodeWords free?
Astraware CodeWords is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Word Search free?
Word Search is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Astraware CodeWords or Word Search?
Astraware CodeWords is rated higher. Astraware CodeWords averages 4.7 out of 5 from 166 ratings, while Word Search averages 4.5 from 3.4K ratings.
Do Astraware CodeWords or Word Search have ads?
Both Astraware CodeWords and Word Search show ads.
Which is updated more often, Astraware CodeWords or Word Search?
Astraware CodeWords ships an update every 6 weeks, and Word Search every 2 weeks. Most recently, Astraware CodeWords was updated on November 1, 2026 and Word Search on October 24, 2026.

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