Comparison

Cryptic Crossword vs XTRACTO

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

XTRACTO

Features
Read full description

Beat the 2-minute timer and discover a new Master Word every day! Easy to learn, hard to put down. Got a spare 2-minutes?, XTRACTO is the perfect daily word game. How to Play • Form words using the available letters. • Words must be at least 3 letters +. • Each letter tile can only be used once per word. • Score as many points as possible before time runs out. Compete on the Average, Daily, Weekly & All Time High Leaderboards, improve your personal bests, and see how you stack up against other players. Made in New Zealand

Screenshots

Cryptic Crossword4 screens
XTRACTO4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: XTRACTO at none against Cryptic Crossword's 15. XTRACTO also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 months). 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. XTRACTO asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cryptic Crossword ships an update every 3 months, XTRACTO every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Cryptic Crossword versus XTRACTO: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCryptic CrosswordXTRACTO
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1.1K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.1K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB15 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperTeazelGuy Rencher

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

XTRACTO

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

XTRACTO

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cryptic Crossword free?
Cryptic Crossword is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is XTRACTO free?
XTRACTO is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Cryptic Crossword or XTRACTO have ads?
Neither Cryptic Crossword nor XTRACTO shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cryptic Crossword or XTRACTO?
Cryptic Crossword ships an update every 3 months, and XTRACTO every 4 days. Most recently, Cryptic Crossword was updated on October 21, 2026 and XTRACTO on October 14, 2026.

Other comparisons