Comparison

Word Train vs CrypticCrab Crossword

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Word Train

A daily word puzzle game where you connect two letters by forming words on a grid. Challenge yourself with higher scores by incorporating specific letters and compete on global leaderboards.

Highlights
  • Daily word-grid puzzles
  • Connect two letters
  • Form words to create paths
  • Score bonuses for specific letters
  • Global leaderboards
  • Board game style gameplay
Features
Read full description

Twist and turn to link two letters together in this daily word-grid puzzle! Word Train is a board game style puzzle. Create a path between two letters every day using any words you know! Challenge yourself by aiming for a higher score when you use words that contain the day's start and end letters! See other player's scores from around the world and work your way to the top of the leaderboard!

About

CrypticCrab Crossword

Learn to solve cryptic crosswords with interactive lessons and practice. Features daily puzzles, unlimited solving across difficulty levels, and real-time multiplayer duels. Track your progress and access a reference library of indicators and abbreviations.

Highlights
  • Interactive lesson system
  • Daily and archived puzzles
  • Unlimited solving across difficulty tiers
  • Real-time head-to-head multiplayer
  • Searchable reference glossary
  • Progress tracking and stats
Features
Read full description

Ever stared at a cryptic crossword clue and wondered if it was written in another language? You're not alone. CrypticCrab cracks the code on cryptic crosswords, one clue at a time. Most people think cryptic clues are impenetrable. The secret? Every cryptic clue has exactly two paths to the answer. Once you see the pattern, you'll never look at a crossword the same way again. CrypticCrab teaches you to solve real cryptic crossword clues through hands-on practice, not passive reading. Our four-phase lesson system breaks down each concept: TEACH: Watch as clues are dissected before your eyes. Colour-coded breakdowns show exactly how definition and wordplay work together. GUIDED SOLVE: Tap the definition words, identify the wordplay, classify the technique. Immediate feedback on every tap -- green for right, shake for wrong. ASSISTED SOLVE: Try solving with a safety net. Progressive hints when you're stuck (technique type is free; letters cost XP). SOLO SOLVE: You versus the clue. Enter your answer letter by letter, with a detailed breakdown after every attempt that reinforces what you've learned. NEW IN 2.0 -- MORE WAYS TO PLAY: DAILY CLUE: A fresh cryptic every day. Keep your streak alive. PAST CLUES: Missed a day? Replay any previous daily from the calendar archive. UNLIMITED PLAY: An endless library of clues. Pick your level -- Rookie, Standard, Expert or Master -- and solve as many as you like. HEAD-TO-HEAD DUELS: Race a friend or a rival in real time -- same clue, same clock. Climb the rankings in ranked matches, or keep it friendly. REFERENCE LIBRARY: A searchable glossary of indicator words and abbreviations, always a tap away. STATS HUB: Track your streak, XP, leaderboard standing and awards, all in one place. WHAT YOU GET: - Learning modules that build real skill: The Golden Rule (double definitions) and Indicator Words (anagrams, hidden words, reversals and more) - A fresh daily puzzle plus a full archive of past clues - Unlimited Play across four difficulty tiers - Real-time head-to-head multiplayer with Game Center rankings and achievements - XP system with 8 levels from Novice to Grand Master - Streak tracking that rewards consistency (and never punishes a missed day) - Three-star ratings on every lesson -- replay for perfection - A searchable reference glossary and technique summaries that unlock as you learn - Progress that syncs across your devices with iCloud CrypticCrab is a word puzzle game that teaches as you play -- now with a completely redesigned 2.0 experience. Free to start, with no ads. An optional Premium unlock (or one-time Lifetime purchase) adds the full past-clue archive, every learning module, unlimited solving and friend leaderboards. Lessons play offline; the daily clue, the archive and multiplayer need a connection. Whether you're a complete beginner who's never attempted a cryptic clue, or a casual solver looking to understand the method behind the madness, CrypticCrab meets you where you are and builds your skills one clue at a time. The answer to the clue is always there. You just need to learn where to look. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Full terms and conditions: https://crypticcrab.xyz/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://crypticcrab.xyz/privacy/

Screenshots

Word Train4 screens
CrypticCrab Crossword4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Word Train at 100% against CrypticCrab Crossword's 67%. Word Train also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). CrypticCrab Crossword's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 11 days) and ratings volume (9 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Word Train sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and CrypticCrab Crossword sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Word Train holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CrypticCrab Crossword has 9 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Word Train's written reviews are positive against 67% of CrypticCrab Crossword's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Word Train ships an update every 11 days, CrypticCrab Crossword every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Word Train versus CrypticCrab Crossword: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWord TrainCrypticCrab Crossword
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.7 (9 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings19 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size97 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMergeable Pty LtdRodney Telford

Customer experience

Word Train

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

CrypticCrab Crossword

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Word Train

One-time1
  • 100 Ticket Reel$1.99
5 purchases

CrypticCrab Crossword

Subscriptions2
  • CrypticCrab Premium (1 Month)$3.991 Month
  • CrypticCrab Premium (3 Month)$9.993 Months
One-time3
  • Learning Module 2$1.99
  • Learning Module 3$1.99
  • CrypticCrab Premium (lifetime)$69.99

Questions

Is Word Train free?
Word Train is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CrypticCrab Crossword free?
CrypticCrab Crossword is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Word Train or CrypticCrab Crossword?
Word Train is rated higher. Word Train averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while CrypticCrab Crossword averages 4.7 from 9 ratings.
Do Word Train or CrypticCrab Crossword have ads?
Neither Word Train nor CrypticCrab Crossword shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Word Train or CrypticCrab Crossword?
Word Train ships an update every 11 days, and CrypticCrab Crossword every 3 days. Most recently, Word Train was updated on November 3, 2026 and CrypticCrab Crossword on November 5, 2026.

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