# Astraware CodeWords vs Codewords +

The clearest difference is ads: Codewords + at none against Astraware CodeWords's shown. Codewords + also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.6). Astraware CodeWords's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 39 months). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Astraware CodeWords sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Codewords + sells 16 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 4.8 for Codewords +. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 162 and 352 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 87% of Astraware CodeWords's written reviews are positive against 89% of Codewords +'s.

Astraware CodeWords ships an update every 6 weeks, Codewords + every 39 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Astraware CodeWords | Codewords + |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (162 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astraware-codewords/id592704252/reviews) | **[4.8 (352 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codewords-plus/id598055041/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 162 | **352** |
| Positive reviews | 87.4% of reviews | **88.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 39 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 37 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **9.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Astraware Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/392328106) | [Sarah Pierce](https://appshunter.io/developer/406813189) |

## 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


### Codewords +

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codewords-plus/id598055041)

Solve crosswords where letters are replaced by numbers. Decipher the code to reveal the hidden words. Offers five difficulty levels, making it suitable for beginners and experienced players alike. Enjoy a clean, digital experience with unlimited attempts and progress tracking.

**Highlights:** Number-coded crosswords, Five difficulty levels, 1400 puzzles available, Progress tracking, Mental exercise

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

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gentle Pack #1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Gentle Pack #2 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Easy Pack #1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Easy Pack #2 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack #1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack #2 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Hard Pack #1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Hard Pack #2 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Expert Pack #1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Gentle Pack #4 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Gentle Pack #3 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack #4 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack #3 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Hard Pack #4 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Hard Pack #3 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Megapack | $6.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great app, no ads
- 🎯 Well designed and straightforward to use
- 🧠 Challenging and engaging
- 🔍 Helps sharpen the mind
- 💡 Beats paper version

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Not entirely free, have to pay for more puzzles
- 🌐 Uses American spelling, not suitable for UK users
- 🔍 Hard to see/read visuals
- 💰 A little too pricey for the number of puzzles

**Reported bugs**

- Puzzle #29 looks different from actual puzzle
- App is slowing down user's phone, needs update

**Requested features**

- Add a help/clue button
- Option to choose UK English spelling
- Add a timer for more challenge
- Allow users to insert letters manually
- Add more puzzles/levels


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Astraware CodeWords free?

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

### Is Codewords + free?

Codewords + is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Astraware CodeWords or Codewords +?

Codewords + is rated higher. Astraware CodeWords averages 4.7 out of 5 from 162 ratings, while Codewords + averages 4.8 from 352 ratings.

### Do Astraware CodeWords or Codewords + have ads?

Astraware CodeWords shows ads; Codewords + does not.

### Which is updated more often, Astraware CodeWords or Codewords +?

Astraware CodeWords ships an update every 6 weeks, and Codewords + every 39 months. Most recently, Astraware CodeWords was updated on October 3, 2026 and Codewords + on October 5, 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.*