# Astraware CodeWords vs Cryptogram

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 (#26 vs unranked). On price, rating, ads 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 Cryptogram sells 19 one-off in-app purchases. 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 4.6 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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Astraware CodeWords | Cryptogram |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (162 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astraware-codewords/id592704252/reviews)** | [4.6 (239K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptogram-word-brain-puzzle/id1644099880/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 162 | **239K** |
| Positive reviews | **87.4% of reviews** | 21.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#26** |
| Size | 37 MB | 350 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Astraware Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/392328106) | [Joyteractive](https://appshunter.io/developer/1709316809) |

## 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


### Cryptogram

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptogram-word-brain-puzzle/id1644099880)

**Currently charting:** #26 Top Free · Word, #56 Top Grossing · Word, #140 Top Free · Puzzle (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (19)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Pack of Hints | $1.99 | one-time |
| Skipit 20 SmallPackSale | $1.99 | one-time |
| Hint Pack: Cryptogram Puzzles | $2.99 | one-time |
| Skipit 3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Piggy Bank | $2.99 | one-time |
| Regular offer | $3.99 | one-time |
| Starter Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| No Ads (7 days) | $3.99 | one-time |
| No Ads (7days) | $3.99 | one-time |
| Ad-Free: Cryptogram Puzzles | $4.99 | one-time |
| No Ads (14 days) | $4.99 | one-time |
| Big Hints Pack: Cryptogram | $5.99 | one-time |
| Skipit 8 | $5.99 | one-time |
| VIP status | $5.99 | one-time |
| No Ads (30 days) | $5.99 | one-time |
| Regular Offer | $7.99 | one-time |
| 5000 Coins | $9.99 | one-time |
| Regular offer | $19.99 | one-time |
| Super Pack | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


## Frequently asked 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.

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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.*