# Astraware CodeWords vs Crossword Scramble!

The clearest difference is ads: Crossword Scramble! at none against Astraware CodeWords's shown. Crossword Scramble! 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 Crossword Scramble! sells 13 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 Crossword Scramble!. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 166 and 130 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 87% of Astraware CodeWords's written reviews are positive against 79% of Crossword Scramble!'s.

Astraware CodeWords ships an update every 6 weeks, Crossword Scramble! every 39 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Astraware CodeWords | Crossword Scramble! |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (166 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astraware-codewords/id592704252/reviews) | **[4.8 (130 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-scramble/id618860336/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **166** | 130 |
| Positive reviews | **87.4% of reviews** | 79.5% 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 | 50 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


### Crossword Scramble!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-scramble/id618860336)

This word game challenges you to unscramble jumbled clues to solve crossword puzzles. It offers a unique twist on traditional crosswords, providing a fun way to exercise your brain and improve your vocabulary. Conquer multiple levels and test your skills with increasingly complex puzzles.

**Highlights:** Unscramble jumbled crossword clues, Four difficulty levels, 1000 puzzles available for purchase, Track progress in puzzle book, Brain exercise for word game lovers

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

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Easy Pack #1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Easy Pack #2 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Easy Pack #3 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack #1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack #2 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack #3 | $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 |
| Expert Pack #2 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack #4 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Hard Pack #4 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Megapack - all 20 packs in one! | $6.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Addictive and fun gameplay
- 🧠 Excellent for keeping the brain active
- 🧩 Challenging and satisfying puzzles
- 💡 Unique twist on crossword puzzles
- 💰 Reasonable price for puzzle packs

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Limited free puzzles, requires payment to progress
- 🐛 Puzzles can have multiple solutions, leading to frustration
- 🚫 App is now unsupported abandonware (as of Apr 2024)
- 📉 No ability to restore previous purchases
- 🤔 Some words are uncommon or associated with unique fields

**Reported bugs**

- Puzzles have multiple solutions and don't give credit for correct answers
- No ability to restore previous purchases (as of Apr 2024)
- App is unsupported abandonware (as of Apr 2024)

**Requested features**

- Add a forward and back button to jump to next clue/word
- Automatically jump to the next word after completing a word
- Make an easier set of puzzles for aphasia recovery
- Open up more games for free
- Earn free games after completing a certain number of puzzles


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Astraware CodeWords free?

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

### Is Crossword Scramble! free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Astraware CodeWords or Crossword Scramble!?

Crossword Scramble! is rated higher. Astraware CodeWords averages 4.7 out of 5 from 166 ratings, while Crossword Scramble! averages 4.8 from 130 ratings.

### Do Astraware CodeWords or Crossword Scramble! have ads?

Astraware CodeWords shows ads; Crossword Scramble! does not.

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

Astraware CodeWords ships an update every 6 weeks, and Crossword Scramble! every 39 months. Most recently, Astraware CodeWords was updated on October 29, 2026 and Crossword Scramble! on October 26, 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.*