# Cryptic Crossword vs Inversion

The clearest difference is ads: Cryptic Crossword at none against Inversion's shown. Inversion's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 months). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cryptic Crossword sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Inversion sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Cryptic Crossword ships an update every 3 months, Inversion every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cryptic Crossword | Inversion |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptic-crossword/id661608021/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1.1K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 90.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 10 MB | 183 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Teazel](https://appshunter.io/developer/576525182) | [Isotopic Studios LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1835144995) |

## What reviewers say

### Cryptic Crossword

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptic-crossword/id661608021)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Yearly (best value) | $12.99 | per year |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 1) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 2) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 3) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 4) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 5) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 6) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 8) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 9) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 10) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 7) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack (Pack 13 with 20 puzzles) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack (Pack 12 with 20 puzzles) | $0.99 | one-time |
| get all 13 Cryptic packs | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great mind workout
- 👍 Excellent value for money
- 👍 Fantastic and addictive challenges
- 👍 Not too hard not too easy
- 👍 Excellent intro to cryptic crosswords

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional freezing and crashing issues
- 🐛 Backup/restore not working
- 🐛 Purchased puzzles disappearing after device change
- 🔍 Clues can be too easy or too obscure
- 🔍 Too many anagrams and hidden word clues

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- Ability to reset/replay puzzles
- More challenging puzzle packs
- Explanations/hints for clues
- Syncing progress across devices
- Graded difficulty levels


### Inversion

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inversion-paradox/id6751603254)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cryptic Crossword free?

Cryptic Crossword is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Inversion free?

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

### Do Cryptic Crossword or Inversion have ads?

Inversion shows ads; Cryptic Crossword does not.

### Which is updated more often, Cryptic Crossword or Inversion?

Cryptic Crossword ships an update every 3 months, and Inversion every 3 days. Most recently, Cryptic Crossword was updated on October 18, 2026 and Inversion on October 9, 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.*