Comparison

Astraware CodeWords vs Crossword

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

Crossword

Engage your mind with a fresh take on word puzzles. This game offers a vast collection of English arrowword puzzles designed to expand vocabulary and provide hours of entertainment. Enjoy flexible difficulty levels and offline play.

Highlights
  • 1000+ English puzzles
  • Beginner to expert difficulty
  • Offline gameplay
  • Progress saving
  • User-friendly interface
Features
Read full description

Are you searching for the ultimate word puzzle game but can't find one that satisfies your craving? "Arrow Crossword" brings a fresh approach to word hunt and brain games! Dive into the most captivating and entertaining English crossword game here! With our "Arrow Crossword" game, expand your vocabulary, refresh your mind, and enjoy hours of fun. - Key Features - * Unique Word Treasure: Dive into 1000 meticulously crafted English puzzles and brainstorm. * Flexible Difficulty Levels: Puzzles suitable for beginners to experts, ideal for all brain game enthusiasts. * Offline Gameplay: Solve puzzles even without an internet connection. * Save Feature: Track your progress and pick up where you left off. * User-friendly: Stunning graphics and a user-friendly interface for the best puzzle experience. Why wait to challenge the boundaries of fun and learning? The top choice for word and brain game lovers. Download now and savor the thrill of brain exercise! * Privacy Policy: http://crossyword.planckgames.com/privacy-policy * Terms and Conditions: http://crossyword.planckgames.com/terms-conditions

Screenshots

Astraware CodeWords4 screens
Crossword4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Astraware CodeWords at 87% against Crossword's 28%. Astraware CodeWords also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (166 vs 37). On price, update cadence, 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 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Crossword sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $9.49 per month. 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. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 166 and 37 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 87% of Astraware CodeWords's written reviews are positive against 28% of Crossword's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Astraware CodeWords ships an update every 6 weeks, Crossword every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Astraware CodeWords versus Crossword: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAstraware CodeWordsCrossword
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (166 ratings) — better4.5 (37 ratings)
Positive reviews87.4% of reviews — better28.3% of reviews
Number of ratings166 — better37
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
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 MB264 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAstraware LimitedMuhammet Gazi Salik

Customer experience

Astraware CodeWords

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

Crossword

All ratings37 ratings
Positive83.8%
Neutral5.4%
Negative10.8%
Written reviews127 reviews
Positive28.3%
Neutral18.9%
Negative52.8%

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

Crossword

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 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-time7
  • Fun-size Pack$0.99
  • Family Pack$1.99
  • Tough Pack$1.99
Show 4 more
  • Vacation Pack$3.99
  • Ad-Free Daily Puzzles$4.99
  • Deluxe Pack$4.99
  • Deluxe Pack 2$4.99
8 purchases

Crossword

Subscriptions1
  • No Ads$9.491 Month
One-time7
  • 1000 GOLD$1.99
  • 5000 GOLD$4.99
  • 10000 GOLD$7.99
Show 4 more
  • 15000 GOLD$10.99
  • 20000 GOLD$13.99
  • 25000 GOLD$16.99
  • 50000 GOLD$19.99

Questions

Is Astraware CodeWords free?
Astraware CodeWords is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Crossword free?
Crossword is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Astraware CodeWords or Crossword?
Astraware CodeWords is rated higher. Astraware CodeWords averages 4.7 out of 5 from 166 ratings, while Crossword averages 4.5 from 37 ratings.
Do Astraware CodeWords or Crossword have ads?
Both Astraware CodeWords and Crossword show ads.
Which is updated more often, Astraware CodeWords or Crossword?
Astraware CodeWords ships an update every 6 weeks, and Crossword every 2 months. Most recently, Astraware CodeWords was updated on November 1, 2026 and Crossword on November 7, 2026.

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