# Astraware CodeWords vs Crossword

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Astraware CodeWords | Crossword |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (166 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astraware-codewords/id592704252/reviews)** | [4.5 (37 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-arrowword/id1485345280/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **166** | 37 |
| Positive reviews | **87.4% of reviews** | 28.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 37 MB | 264 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Astraware Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/392328106) | [Muhammet Gazi Salik](https://appshunter.io/developer/1485345279) |

## What reviewers say

### Astraware CodeWords

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astraware-codewords/id592704252)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Puzzles Plus | $1.99 | per month |
| Puzzles Plus | $2.99 | per 3 months |
| Puzzles Plus | $7.99 | per year |
| Fun-size Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Family Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Tough Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Vacation Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Ad-Free Daily Puzzles | $4.99 | one-time |
| Deluxe Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Deluxe Pack 2 | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-arrowword/id1485345280)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No Ads | $9.49 | per month |
| 1000 GOLD | $1.99 | one-time |
| 5000 GOLD | $4.99 | one-time |
| 10000 GOLD | $7.99 | one-time |
| 15000 GOLD | $10.99 | one-time |
| 20000 GOLD | $13.99 | one-time |
| 25000 GOLD | $16.99 | one-time |
| 50000 GOLD | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*