Comparison

Cryptic Crossword vs Brainchain

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

Head to head
About

Cryptic Crossword

Engage with over 260 professional cryptic crosswords designed for experienced puzzle solvers. Enjoy a full-featured experience with 29 free puzzles, including pinch zooming, mistake highlighting, and resume functionality.

Highlights
  • 260+ professional cryptic crosswords
  • 29 free puzzles
  • Pinch zooming grid
  • Cheats and mistake highlighting
  • Resume functionality
  • Customizable preferences
Features
Read full description

A brand new cryptic crossword every day, plus 260+ professional puzzles to keep you pondering. These are cryptic level crosswords, suitable for seasoned crossword enthusiasts. DAILY PUZZLES A brand new cryptic crossword published every day. Build a streak by playing daily, earn coins, and unlock puzzles at your own pace. Four weeks of daily puzzles are available to catch up on. EXPLAIN THE CLUE Stuck on the wordplay? Tap 'Explain clue' for a clear explanation of how any cryptic clue works, breaking down the wordplay and the definition. A great way to learn the tricks of cryptic solving. SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS Subscribe for unlimited access to every daily puzzle and all archive packs, with no coins needed. Available as monthly, quarterly, or annual plans. 260+ ARCHIVE PUZZLES Thirteen packs of professional cryptic crosswords to keep you thinking. Great for a quick coffee break or a longer session. EARN COINS & STREAKS Open the app each day to earn bonus coins. The longer your streak, the bigger the bonus. Spend coins to unlock daily and archive puzzles, or watch a short ad for extra coins whenever you choose. Features: - a brand new cryptic crossword every day - daily login bonus with streak rewards - earn coins by playing daily, or watch a short ad for extra coins - unlock puzzles with coins, or subscribe for unlimited access - great for iPads and iPhones - pinch zooming grid - 'Explain clue' breaks down the wordplay and definition of any cryptic clue - hints, highlight mistakes and answer checking - backup and restore If you're finding Cryptic a little too challenging, why not try our standard 'Crossword' or 'Crossword US' apps. The Terms of Use (EULA) can be found here: https://www.teazel.com/cryptic_crossword_terms/ios_terms_en.html

About

Brainchain

Train your associative thinking with this fast-paced word game. Create a chain of six words, starting with a given word and associating each subsequent word to the previous one within a time limit. Broaden your thinking and improve your mood and creativity.

Highlights
  • Create 6-word word chains
  • Timed word association
  • Develop broader thinking
  • Improve mood and creativity
  • Review and share chains
  • Single common English words only
Features
Read full description

Brainchain - the original associative thinking training game Our associative mind is a gigantic connected web of knowledge, experiences and memories. When we see or think of one thing it triggers a number of possible linked associations: some narrow, some broad. If we stay too narrow and ruminative, it can lead to more negative or anxious states. If we can be broader, our mood, outlook and creativity tends to improve. Brainchain is a fast-paced and fun game designed to develop greater breadth in our associative thinking through words. How to Play Create your 6 word brainchain Begin with the starter word. Type the first word you associate with it in less than 10 seconds. Repeats 4 more times, with the next typed word being associated to the previous one in the chain. Review, share, compare your unique brainchain. Rules Single words only Must be a common word, not a specific person, country or brand. English words only No abbreviations Tips The goal is to find a clearly associated word, not a randomly disconnected one. Type what comes to mind first, don’t try to overthink. It’s about training ourselves to associate through more interesting routes. Reflect on your brainchain to see how you travelled to the final word and where you could have made it a broader chain.

Screenshots

Cryptic Crossword4 screens
Brainchain4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Cryptic Crossword at 4.8 against Brainchain's 4.0. Cryptic Crossword also leads on ratings volume (1.1K vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). Brainchain's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Cryptic Crossword sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per year and Brainchain sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Cryptic Crossword holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cryptic Crossword has 1.1K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cryptic Crossword ships an update every 3 months, Brainchain every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and June 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Cryptic Crossword versus Brainchain: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCryptic CrosswordBrainchain
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1.1K ratings) — better4.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews89.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.1K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB4 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperTeazelBaxnet Technologies Pte Ltd

Customer experience

Cryptic Crossword

All ratings1,056 ratings
Positive96.9%
Neutral2.4%
Negative0.8%
Written reviews262 reviews
Positive89.7%
Neutral7.3%
Negative3.1%

Brainchain

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Cryptic Crossword

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Backup/restore not working
  • Purchased puzzles disappearing after device change
  • Freezing and crashing issues

Requested features

7 requests
  • Ability to reset/replay puzzles
  • More challenging puzzle packs
  • Explanations/hints for clues
  • Syncing progress across devices
  • Graded difficulty levels
Show 2 more
  • Dark mode option
  • Ability to indicate wrong answers

Brainchain

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

14 purchases

Cryptic Crossword

Subscriptions1
  • Yearly (best value)1 Year trial$12.991 Year
One-time13
  • pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 1)$0.99
  • pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 2)$0.99
  • pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 3)$0.99
Show 10 more
  • pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 4)$0.99
  • pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 5)$0.99
  • pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 6)$0.99
  • pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 8)$0.99
  • pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 9)$0.99
  • pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 10)$0.99
  • pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 7)$0.99
  • pack (Pack 13 with 20 puzzles)$0.99
  • pack (Pack 12 with 20 puzzles)$0.99
  • get all 13 Cryptic packs$3.99
1 purchases

Brainchain

One-time1
  • Unlimited play$2.99

Questions

Is Cryptic Crossword free?
Cryptic Crossword is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Brainchain free?
Brainchain is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Cryptic Crossword or Brainchain?
Cryptic Crossword is rated higher. Cryptic Crossword averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Brainchain averages 4.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Cryptic Crossword or Brainchain have ads?
Neither Cryptic Crossword nor Brainchain shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cryptic Crossword or Brainchain?
Cryptic Crossword ships an update every 3 months, and Brainchain every 4 months. Most recently, Cryptic Crossword was updated on September 23, 2026 and Brainchain on June 10, 2026.

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