# Astraware CodeWords vs Spiral Crossword

The clearest difference is ads: Spiral Crossword at none against Astraware CodeWords's shown. Spiral Crossword also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 6 weeks) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). Astraware CodeWords's advantage is ratings volume (166 vs 21). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Astraware CodeWords sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Spiral Crossword sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Astraware CodeWords against 4.8 for Spiral Crossword. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Astraware CodeWords has 166 ratings behind it against 21, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 87% of Astraware CodeWords's written reviews are positive against 80% of Spiral Crossword's.

Astraware CodeWords ships an update every 6 weeks, Spiral Crossword every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Astraware CodeWords | Spiral Crossword |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (166 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astraware-codewords/id592704252/reviews) | **[4.8 (21 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spiral-crossword/id1604392768/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **166** | 21 |
| Positive reviews | **87.4% of reviews** | 80.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 37 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Astraware Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/392328106) | [Teazel](https://appshunter.io/developer/576525182) |

## 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 (13)**

| 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 |
| Easy Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Tough Pack 2 | $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 |
| Calendar Pack 2017 | $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


### Spiral Crossword

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spiral-crossword/id1604392768)

Experience a unique twist on word puzzles with two interconnected spirals. Every letter offers two clues, allowing you to solve puzzles clockwise or counterclockwise. With 120 hand-crafted challenges across three difficulty levels, it's a fun way to engage your mind.

**Highlights:** Dual spiral word grids, Clockwise and counterclockwise play, Two clues per letter, 120 hand-crafted puzzles, Easy, Medium, and Hard difficulties, Brain-challenging gameplay

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove adverts & coins | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Astraware CodeWords free?

Astraware CodeWords is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Spiral Crossword free?

Spiral Crossword is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Astraware CodeWords or Spiral Crossword?

Spiral Crossword is rated higher. Astraware CodeWords averages 4.7 out of 5 from 166 ratings, while Spiral Crossword averages 4.8 from 21 ratings.

### Do Astraware CodeWords or Spiral Crossword have ads?

Astraware CodeWords shows ads; Spiral Crossword does not.

### Which is updated more often, Astraware CodeWords or Spiral Crossword?

Astraware CodeWords ships an update every 6 weeks, and Spiral Crossword every 6 days. Most recently, Astraware CodeWords was updated on October 23, 2026 and Spiral Crossword on October 24, 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.*