# Cryptogram IQ vs Cipher Genius

The clearest difference is ads: Cipher Genius at none against Cryptogram IQ's shown. Cipher Genius also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 83%). Cryptogram IQ's advantage is ratings volume (217 vs 2) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cryptogram IQ sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Cipher Genius sells 10 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 — 4.6 for Cryptogram IQ against 4.5 for Cipher Genius. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cryptogram IQ has 217 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 83% of Cryptogram IQ's written reviews are positive against 100% of Cipher Genius's.

Cryptogram IQ ships an update every 3 weeks, Cipher Genius every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cryptogram IQ | Cipher Genius |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (217 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptogram-iq-word-master/id6480098884/reviews)** | [4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cipher-genius/id6753089895/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **217** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 83.3% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 65 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 18.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Megarama Games Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/987479598) | [Smartphone Design Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/298734749) |

## What reviewers say

### Cryptogram IQ

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptogram-iq-word-master/id6480098884)

Decode cryptic ciphers and solve word puzzles by connecting letters and numbers. Use logic and clues to decipher hidden quotes and expand your vocabulary. This game offers thousands of challenges to test your word search and logic skills.

**Highlights:** Decode cryptic ciphers, Solve cross-logic puzzles, Connect letters and numbers, Decrypt hidden quotes, Enhance logic skills, Expand vocabulary

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun and enjoyable gameplay
- 🧠 Keeps brain sharp and challenged
- 💡 New and different from other games
- 😌 Relaxing experience
- 🤔 Makes you think outside the box

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😵 Endless and overwhelming ads
- 💰 High cost to remove ads
- 🔄 Repetitive with few games

**Reported bugs**

- App faulty, won't open after reaching a certain level


### Cipher Genius

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cipher-genius/id6753089895)

Crack colorful emoji-style ciphers with a modern, intuitive design. Enjoy hundreds of puzzles, from quick lists to full quotes, with no ads or timers. Play offline and at your own pace.

**Highlights:** Emoji-style cipher tiles, Hundreds of puzzles, Two puzzle styles (lists and long answers), Three difficulty levels, No ads or timers, Offline play, Portrait and landscape modes, Accessibility features

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Food & Drink | $3.99 | one-time |
| Music | $3.99 | one-time |
| Humor & Wit | $3.99 | one-time |
| Word Play | $3.99 | one-time |
| Geography & Travel | $3.99 | one-time |
| Quotations | $3.99 | one-time |
| History & Legends | $3.99 | one-time |
| Nature & Science | $3.99 | one-time |
| Young At Heart | $3.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate Collection | $24.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cryptogram IQ free?

Cryptogram IQ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Cipher Genius free?

Cipher Genius is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Cryptogram IQ or Cipher Genius?

Cryptogram IQ is rated higher. Cryptogram IQ averages 4.6 out of 5 from 217 ratings, while Cipher Genius averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.

### Do Cryptogram IQ or Cipher Genius have ads?

Cryptogram IQ shows ads; Cipher Genius does not.

### Which is updated more often, Cryptogram IQ or Cipher Genius?

Cryptogram IQ ships an update every 3 weeks, and Cipher Genius every 3 months. Most recently, Cryptogram IQ was updated on October 22, 2026 and Cipher Genius on October 24, 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.*