Comparison

Astraware CodeWords vs Cryptogram

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

Cryptogram

Engage your mind with a logic game that challenges you to decode secret messages and solve word puzzles. Uncover famous quotes and tackle increasingly difficult challenges in a fun, brain-exercising experience.

Highlights
  • Decode secret messages
  • Solve word puzzles
  • Uncover famous quotes
  • Logic challenges
  • Increasing difficulty
  • Variety of puzzle types
Features
Read full description

Cryptogram: Number & Word Puzzles — Decode, Deduce, Conquer! Are you ready to challenge your mind and have fun at the same time? Welcome to Cryptogram, the perfect game for anyone who enjoys mental exercises and brainteasers. Get ready for an exciting journey into the world of codes, ciphers, and intricate puzzles! Cryptogram isn’t just a game; it’s a fun way to exercise your brain. Whether you love logic puzzles, word games, or cryptic crosswords, this app has a wide variety of challenges that will push your thinking skills. In Cryptogram, you’ll play as a codebreaker, working to decode secret messages hidden in sequences of symbols and letters. As you move through the game, you’ll unlock new puzzles and levels that get harder and more exciting. You’ll uncover famous quotes, solve word scrambles, and tackle a range of puzzles that will keep you coming back for more. Here’s what to expect from this unique game: Interesting Puzzles: Each puzzle is designed to be fun and engaging, whether you’re deciphering historical quotes or cracking modern-day cryptograms. Endless Variety: With puzzles ranging from word scrambles to logic challenges, you’ll always find something new to try. Each puzzle type tests different thinking skills, offering a full brain workout. Enjoyable Gameplay: The game is designed to make brain exercises fun and rewarding, keeping you hooked on each new puzzle. Increasing Difficulty: As you play, the puzzles get tougher, providing a continuous challenge that keeps you on your toes. Simple, Clean Design: The app has an easy-to-use interface that helps you focus on solving puzzles without any distractions. Cryptogram is more than just about solving puzzles; it’s about the excitement of discovering something new and the satisfaction of figuring out what seemed impossible. Each puzzle you solve is a small victory, and each level you conquer brings a new sense of achievement and pride. Whether you’re a seasoned puzzle enthusiast or just looking for a fun way to challenge your brain, Cryptogram offers something for everyone. The game is perfect for anyone who loves to engage their mind and sharpen their logical skills. So, if you’re ready to embark on a journey filled with mystery, intrigue, and mind-bending puzzles, download Cryptogram today. Get ready to decode, deduce, and conquer in this thrilling and mentally stimulating adventure!

Screenshots

Astraware CodeWords4 screens
Cryptogram4 screens

Verdict

The call

Astraware CodeWords and Cryptogram both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 87% of Astraware CodeWords's written reviews are positive against 22% of Cryptogram's. Cryptogram's advantage is ratings volume (239K vs 162) and chart position (#25 vs unranked). 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 Cryptogram sells 19 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Astraware CodeWords against 4.6 for Cryptogram. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cryptogram has 239K ratings behind it against 162, 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 22% of Cryptogram's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Astraware CodeWords ships an update every 6 weeks, Cryptogram every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 29, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Astraware CodeWords versus Cryptogram: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAstraware CodeWordsCryptogram
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (162 ratings) — better4.6 (239K ratings)
Positive reviews87.4% of reviews — better21.5% of reviews
Number of ratings162239K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#25 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB350 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperAstraware LimitedJoyteractive

Customer experience

Astraware CodeWords

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

Cryptogram

All ratings239,453 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral6.8%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews2,438 reviews
Positive21.5%
Neutral20.0%
Negative58.5%

User reviews

Astraware CodeWords

From 162 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

Cryptogram

From 239K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fun and challenging puzzles
  • 🧠 Engaging brain exercise
  • 📚 Variety of categories and themes

Room to improve

  • 💢 Excessive and intrusive ads
  • 🔍 Small/hard-to-read numbers
  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches
  • 🔋 Battery draining issues

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

Cryptogram

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Puzzles getting stuck or resetting progress
  • Clue/hint feature not working properly
  • Compatibility issues on some devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Option to remove ads for a fee
  • Dark mode for easier reading
  • Ability to replay past puzzles
  • Improved accuracy of quotes and attributions

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
19 purchases

Cryptogram

One-time19
  • Small Pack of Hints$1.99
  • Skipit 20 SmallPackSale$1.99
  • Hint Pack: Cryptogram Puzzles$2.99
Show 16 more
  • Skipit 3$2.99
  • Piggy Bank$2.99
  • Regular offer$3.99
  • Starter Pack$3.99
  • No Ads (7 days)$3.99
  • No Ads (7days)$3.99
  • Ad-Free: Cryptogram Puzzles$4.99
  • No Ads (14 days)$4.99
  • Big Hints Pack: Cryptogram$5.99
  • Skipit 8$5.99
  • VIP status$5.99
  • No Ads (30 days)$5.99
  • Regular Offer$7.99
  • 5000 Coins$9.99
  • Regular offer$19.99
  • Super Pack$49.99

Questions

Is Astraware CodeWords free?
Astraware CodeWords is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cryptogram free?
Cryptogram is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Astraware CodeWords or Cryptogram?
Astraware CodeWords is rated higher. Astraware CodeWords averages 4.7 out of 5 from 162 ratings, while Cryptogram averages 4.6 from 239K ratings.
Do Astraware CodeWords or Cryptogram have ads?
Both Astraware CodeWords and Cryptogram show ads.
Which is updated more often, Astraware CodeWords or Cryptogram?
Astraware CodeWords ships an update every 6 weeks, and Cryptogram every 3 weeks. Most recently, Astraware CodeWords was updated on September 29, 2026 and Cryptogram on September 29, 2026.

Other comparisons