# Code Busters vs PlaySimple Cryptogram

The clearest difference is rating: PlaySimple Cryptogram at 4.9 against Code Busters's 4.6. PlaySimple Cryptogram also leads on review sentiment (28% vs 15%). Code Busters's advantage is chart position (#13 vs #58). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Code Busters sells 18 one-off in-app purchases and PlaySimple Cryptogram sells 16 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

PlaySimple Cryptogram holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9.2K and 24K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 15% of Code Busters's written reviews are positive against 28% of PlaySimple Cryptogram's.

Code Busters ships an update every 3 weeks, PlaySimple Cryptogram every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Code Busters | PlaySimple Cryptogram |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (9.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-busters-word-puzzle-game/id6499306754/reviews) | **[4.9 (24K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playsimple-cryptogram/id6741839590/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 9.2K | **24K** |
| Positive reviews | 14.6% of reviews | **28.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#13** | #58 |
| Size | 206 MB | 241 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Smartronic](https://appshunter.io/developer/1743139022) | [PlaySimple Games Pte Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1189416142) |

## What reviewers say

### Code Busters

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-busters-word-puzzle-game/id6499306754)

**Currently charting:** #13 Top Grossing · Word, #39 Top Free · Word, #136 Top Grossing · Puzzle (US App Store)

Engage your mind with a variety of puzzles including cryptograms, anagrams, crosswords, and Sudoku. This game offers over 500 levels and 10,000 quotes for an enriching intellectual adventure.

**Highlights:** Cryptogram puzzles, Anagrams, Crossword puzzles, Sudoku, Over 500 levels, Famous quotes, Code deciphering

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

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 10 Hints Offer | $0.99 | one-time |
| 100 Coins | $1.99 | one-time |
| 5 Magic Wand Mascot Offer | $1.99 | one-time |
| 100 Coins1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| 20 Hints Offer | $1.99 | one-time |
| 50 Hints Offer | $2.99 | one-time |
| Beginners Bundle | $3.99 | one-time |
| No Ads Discounted Offer | $3.99 | one-time |
| 5 Magic Wand | $4.99 | one-time |
| No Ads | $4.99 | one-time |
| No Ads Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| 500 Coins | $6.99 | one-time |
| Crypto Bundle | $7.99 | one-time |
| Crypto Bundle1 | $9.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Coins | $12.99 | one-time |
| Choose One All In One Bundle | $13.99 | one-time |
| Super Bundle | $29.99 | one-time |
| Legendary Bundle | $44.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun to play
- 👍 Joyfully entertaining

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't load
- 🐛 Crashes during tutorial
- 🐛 Force closes after update
- 🐛 Incredibly slow
- 🔍 Text too small

**Reported bugs**

- Freezes before starting
- Unable to play levels
- Daily challenge calendar incorrect

**Requested features**

- Improve gameplay mechanics
- Enlarge keyboard letters


### PlaySimple Cryptogram

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playsimple-cryptogram/id6741839590)

**Currently charting:** #58 Top Free · Word, #73 Top Grossing · Word (US App Store)

Engage in a word logic puzzle game where you decode encrypted messages by substituting letters. With varying difficulty levels and diverse categories, it offers a stimulating challenge for puzzle enthusiasts of all kinds.

**Highlights:** Hundreds of engaging cryptogram puzzles, Puzzles from diverse categories, Intuitive and straightforward gameplay, Hints and letter reveal assistance, Daily new puzzle challenges

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

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 300 Coins | $0.99 | one-time |
| Ladder Deal 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Timed Deal 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Skip'its Pack | $2.49 | one-time |
| 1000 Coins | $2.99 | one-time |
| Hint Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Fail Offer | $3.99 | one-time |
| Basic Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Puzzle Screen Burst Hint 2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $4.99 | one-time |
| Big Hints Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| Remove Forced Ads | $9.99 | one-time |
| Value Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Timed Deal 3 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Big Skip'its Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate Pack | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun game
- 💡 Good for the brain

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and loses progress
- 🔋 Battery draining issue
- 🤯 Frustrating revive mechanic
- 🤏 Small touch targets for ads

**Reported bugs**

- App randomly closes and loses progress
- Overheating issues on some devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to enlarge letters
- Improved ad experience


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Code Busters free?

Code Busters is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is PlaySimple Cryptogram free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Code Busters or PlaySimple Cryptogram?

PlaySimple Cryptogram is rated higher. Code Busters averages 4.6 out of 5 from 9.2K ratings, while PlaySimple Cryptogram averages 4.9 from 24K ratings.

### Do Code Busters or PlaySimple Cryptogram have ads?

Both Code Busters and PlaySimple Cryptogram show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Code Busters or PlaySimple Cryptogram?

Code Busters ships an update every 3 weeks, and PlaySimple Cryptogram every 2 weeks. Most recently, Code Busters was updated on September 25, 2026 and PlaySimple Cryptogram on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Code Busters or PlaySimple Cryptogram?

Code Busters currently peaks at #13 in the App Store charts, and PlaySimple Cryptogram at #58. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*