# 4 Pics 1 Word vs Cryptogram

The clearest difference is ratings volume: 4 Pics 1 Word at 138K against Cryptogram's 774. 4 Pics 1 Word also leads on chart position (#29 vs unranked). Cryptogram's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. 4 Pics 1 Word sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Cryptogram sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Cryptogram holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 4 Pics 1 Word has 138K ratings behind it against 774, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of 4 Pics 1 Word's written reviews are positive against 67% of Cryptogram's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | 4 Pics 1 Word | Cryptogram |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (138K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/4-pics-1-word/id595558452/reviews) | **[4.9 (774 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptogram-word-puzzle-master/id6670599725/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **138K** | 774 |
| Positive reviews | 62.7% of reviews | **66.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#29** | — |
| Size | 201 MB | 178 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [LOTUM GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/459029666) | [Guru Future Holding Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1693569117) |

## What reviewers say

### 4 Pics 1 Word

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/4-pics-1-word/id595558452)

**Currently charting:** #29 Top Grossing · Trivia, #73 Top Free · Trivia, #96 Top Grossing · Word, #145 Top Free · Word (US App Store)

This word puzzle game presents four images that share a common word. Players guess the word to progress through endless levels of brain-teasing fun. It's an addictive and simple game enjoyed by millions worldwide.

**Highlights:** Four pictures, one common word puzzles, Endless fun with new puzzles added, Simple and addictive gameplay, Over 250 million players worldwide, Available in 9 languages, No registration required

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Offer Bundle 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Bag of Coins 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Progressive Offer 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Bag of Coins 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Progressive Offer 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Progressive Offer 3 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Bag of Coins 3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Premium | $5.99 | one-time |
| Bag of Coins 4 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Bag of Coins 5 | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🧠 Challenging and engaging
- 🤔 Helps improve mental acuity
- 👍 Fun for all ages
- 🕰️ Great time-passer

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💢 Excessive ads and interruptions
- 🤯 Puzzles can be too easy or obscure
- 🔁 Repeating puzzles/lack of new content
- 🔒 Issues with progress/data restoration

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes and freezes
- Incorrect word spellings
- Inconsistent timer/scoring issues

**Requested features**

- Difficulty settings or modes
- Ability to restore progress across devices
- More frequent puzzle updates
- Option to disable/reduce ads


### Cryptogram

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptogram-word-puzzle-master/id6670599725)

This game challenges your logic and vocabulary by having you decipher encoded quotes. Use contextual clues and letter patterns to reveal hidden messages and learn English expressions. Enjoy endless puzzles and a mental workout anytime, anywhere.

**Highlights:** Decode hidden messages, Decrypt letter substitution ciphers, Use contextual clues, Reveal encoded phrases, Utilize hints for assistance, Vast library of quotes, Offline gameplay

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock Decades of Hits | $5.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads Permanently | $7.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun and engaging gameplay
- 💡 Variety of word puzzles
- 🚀 Smooth gameplay experience
- 👍 Aesthetically pleasing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Difficulty distinguishing numbers
- 🐛 Ads not removed despite paid option
- 🐛 Ads covering gameplay elements
- 🐛 Small font and text size

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to progress to next level
- Ads preventing access to game modes

**Requested features**

- Option to turn off auto-scroll
- Move ads off the gameplay area


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 4 Pics 1 Word free?

4 Pics 1 Word 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, 4 Pics 1 Word or Cryptogram?

Cryptogram is rated higher. 4 Pics 1 Word averages 4.7 out of 5 from 138K ratings, while Cryptogram averages 4.9 from 774 ratings.

### Do 4 Pics 1 Word or Cryptogram have ads?

Both 4 Pics 1 Word and Cryptogram show ads.

### Which is updated more often, 4 Pics 1 Word or Cryptogram?

4 Pics 1 Word ships an update every 2 weeks, and Cryptogram every 2 weeks. Most recently, 4 Pics 1 Word was updated on November 11, 2026 and Cryptogram on November 8, 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.*