# Code Busters vs Detective Files

Code Busters and Detective Files both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 27% of Detective Files's written reviews are positive against 14% of Code Busters's. Code Busters's advantage is chart position (#18 vs unranked). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Code Busters sells 18 one-off in-app purchases and Detective Files sells 8 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 — 4.5 for Code Busters against 4.6 for Detective Files. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9.7K and 5.8K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 14% of Code Busters's written reviews are positive against 27% of Detective Files's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Code Busters | Detective Files |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (9.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-busters-word-puzzle-game/id6499306754/reviews) | **[4.6 (5.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/detective-files-mystery-cases/id6757855839/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **9.7K** | 5.8K |
| Positive reviews | 14.2% of reviews | **27.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#18** | — |
| Size | 212 MB | 507 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Smartronic](https://appshunter.io/developer/1743139022) | [SayGames LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1551847165) |

## What reviewers say

### Code Busters

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

**Currently charting:** #18 Top Grossing · Word, #44 Top Free · Word, #180 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


### Detective Files

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/detective-files-mystery-cases/id6757855839)

Engage your logic and deduction skills in this picture-based puzzle game. Analyze clues from images and text to solve seating arrangement mysteries. Levels increase in difficulty, offering a challenging yet relaxing brain workout for players of all ages.

**Highlights:** Logic puzzle solving, Picture and text clues, Increasing difficulty levels, Brain training, Relaxing gameplay, Booster items

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Handful of Gems | $0.99 | one-time |
| Welcome Pack! | $1.99 | one-time |
| Bunch of Gems | $5.99 | one-time |
| No Ads | $7.99 | one-time |
| Pile of Gems | $14.99 | one-time |
| Bag of Gems | $29.99 | one-time |
| Barrel of Gems | $49.99 | one-time |
| Crate of Gems | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Code Busters free?

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

### Is Detective Files free?

Detective Files is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Code Busters or Detective Files?

Detective Files is rated higher. Code Busters averages 4.5 out of 5 from 9.7K ratings, while Detective Files averages 4.6 from 5.8K ratings.

### Do Code Busters or Detective Files have ads?

Both Code Busters and Detective Files show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Code Busters or Detective Files?

Code Busters ships an update every 3 weeks, and Detective Files every 3 weeks. Most recently, Code Busters was updated on October 31, 2026 and Detective Files on October 31, 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.*