Comparison

Cryptic Crossword vs WordFive

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

WordFive

Engage in a quick daily word game to build words, earn points, and aim for your highest score. Compete with friends on leaderboards and in leagues to maintain your winning streak. Enjoy a clean, responsive experience that's simple to pick up but challenging to master.

Highlights
  • Daily word challenges
  • Score tracking
  • Global leaderboards
  • League play with friends
  • Win streak tracking
  • Responsive gameplay
Features
Read full description

Word5 is a fast-paced daily word game where you build words, rack up points, and chase your best run. Register your unique nickname. Play the Daily Challenge to set a score, then see how you stack up on the leaderboard. Join a league to compete with friends and keep your win streak alive. Features • Daily Challenge with score tracking • Leaderboards and league play • Streaks for consistent wins • Clean, responsive gameplay—easy to learn, hard to master

Screenshots

Cryptic Crossword4 screens
WordFive4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: WordFive at none against Cryptic Crossword's 15. WordFive also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 90%). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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 15 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. WordFive asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cryptic Crossword ships an update every 3 months, WordFive every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Cryptic Crossword versus WordFive: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCryptic CrosswordWordFive
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1.1K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.1K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB57 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperTeazelKevin Stevenson

Customer experience

Cryptic Crossword

All ratings1,063 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral2.4%
Negative0.8%
Written reviews318 reviews
Positive90.3%
Neutral6.0%
Negative3.8%

WordFive

Written reviews1 reviews
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

WordFive

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

15 purchases

Cryptic Crossword

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$1.991 Month
  • 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
None

WordFive

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cryptic Crossword free?
Cryptic Crossword is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is WordFive free?
WordFive is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Cryptic Crossword or WordFive have ads?
Neither Cryptic Crossword nor WordFive shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cryptic Crossword or WordFive?
Cryptic Crossword ships an update every 3 months, and WordFive every 3 days. Most recently, Cryptic Crossword was updated on October 18, 2026 and WordFive on October 2, 2026.

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