# Connections Word Game vs Decoding Word Puzzle

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Decoding Word Puzzle at none against Connections Word Game's 19. Decoding Word Puzzle also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (daily vs fortnightly). Connections Word Game's advantage is review sentiment (53% vs 27%). On price, ratings volume and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Connections Word Game sells 18 one-off in-app purchases. Decoding Word Puzzle asks for nothing beyond the download.

Decoding Word Puzzle holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19K and 13K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 53% of Connections Word Game's written reviews are positive against 27% of Decoding Word Puzzle's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Connections Word Game ships an update fortnightly, Decoding Word Puzzle daily. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Connections Word Game | Decoding Word Puzzle |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (19K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/connections-word-game/id6479947010/reviews) | **[4.9 (13K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/decoding-word-puzzle/id6747968388/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **19K** | 13K |
| Positive reviews | **53.3% of reviews** | 27.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Daily** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 239 MB | 255 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Wixot](https://appshunter.io/developer/1151932623) | [Peace Word Studio](https://appshunter.io/developer/1787839993) |

## What reviewers say

### Connections Word Game

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/connections-word-game/id6479947010)

This brain training game challenges your logic and vocabulary by connecting four words with a common theme. Solve daily challenges, use hints, and enjoy a relaxing pace to improve your word association skills and expand your knowledge.

**Highlights:** Connect 4 words by theme, Daily challenges, No countdown timers, Hint and booster system, Build logical word chains, Expand vocabulary and knowledge

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

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Coin Pack Mini | $1.99 | one-time |
| Safety Bundle | $3.99 | one-time |
| Bundle | $4.99 | one-time |
| Link Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Safety Offer | $4.99 | one-time |
| Hard Level Offer | $4.99 | one-time |
| Hint Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| Skip Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| Starter Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| No Ads | $6.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack 1 | $7.99 | one-time |
| Bundle | $14.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack 2 | $14.99 | one-time |
| Bundle No Ads | $16.99 | one-time |
| Bundle | $29.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack 3 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack 4 | $49.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack 5 | $79.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Relaxing and stress-free gameplay
- 🧠 Keeps the mind sharp
- 🔍 Challenging word connections

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Spelling and factual errors
- 🔊 Loud and intrusive ads
- 🇬🇧 UK-centric content
- 🔁 Repetitive connections

**Reported bugs**

- Connections with duplicate words
- Update that hides some words

**Requested features**

- Ability to see all available words
- Spellchecker and fact-checker
- More diverse and globally relevant content


### Decoding Word Puzzle

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/decoding-word-puzzle/id6747968388)

Engage your mind with a word puzzle game featuring quotes from famous figures, literature, and movies. Solve creatively designed levels with hints and letter matching, enhanced by beautiful hand-drawn art and an unfolding narrative.

**Highlights:** Quote-based puzzles, Word creation and letter matching, Contextual hints, Hand-drawn artwork, Narrative mode, Daily challenges

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🤩 Relaxing and mentally challenging
- 👍 Fun and enjoyable game

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔥 Overloaded with ads
- 🐛 Buggy and unresponsive touch interface
- 🔋 Poor performance and battery drain

**Reported bugs**

- Forced to restart from beginning after update
- Frequent crashes and freezes

**Requested features**

- More puzzle content
- Option to disable ads


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Connections Word Game free?

Connections Word Game is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Decoding Word Puzzle free?

Decoding Word Puzzle is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Connections Word Game or Decoding Word Puzzle?

Decoding Word Puzzle is rated higher. Connections Word Game averages 4.7 out of 5 from 19K ratings, while Decoding Word Puzzle averages 4.9 from 13K ratings.

### Do Connections Word Game or Decoding Word Puzzle have ads?

Connections Word Game shows ads; Decoding Word Puzzle does not.

### Which is updated more often, Connections Word Game or Decoding Word Puzzle?

Connections Word Game ships an update fortnightly, and Decoding Word Puzzle daily. Most recently, Connections Word Game was updated on October 25, 2026 and Decoding Word Puzzle on October 25, 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.*