Comparison

Cryptic Crossword vs Cryptical

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

Cryptical

Features
Read full description

Want a fiendish cryptic crossword? Purchase crosswords by professional setters and use the simple, expertly designed interface to solve. Subscribe to get three crosswords free a month plus much more. Need a simpler entry to cryptics? The Cryptical Community has recent single daily clues for free. Look out for the pro submissions! Fancy yourself as a crossword setter? User the Creator to construct your own clues and crosswords. Subscribe and you can share your own creations with the Cryptical Community. You might even feature on the daily clue! Stuck on a really tough clue? Get incremental hints to get you moving again. Use the anagram helper to make hidden words stand out. If you still don't understand the wordplay after all the hints get a clear explanation of how the clue works and level up your solving. Want to collaborate on a crossword? Invite another crossword fan to join in and solve in real-time together. Use the Brainstorm in-app messaging to discuss wordplay and get in-grid notifications badges on clues. Want to get help on your daily cryptic before the answers are released? Easily capture and upload printed newspaper or magazine crosswords, with or without answers, to use the app's solving tools and generated hints. Need a break from the cryptic clues? Get an easy or challenging themed non-cryptic crossword to test your general knowledge! Download the app and get solving! Privacy Policy: www.crypticalcrosswords.com/privacy Terms of Use: www.crypticalcrosswords.com/terms

Screenshots

Cryptic Crossword4 screens
Cryptical4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Cryptical at weekly against Cryptic Crossword's every 3 months. Cryptic Crossword's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Cryptical sells 19 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cryptic Crossword ships an update every 3 months, Cryptical weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Cryptic Crossword versus Cryptical: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCryptic CrosswordCryptical
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1.1K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.1K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB11 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperTeazelBenjamin Law Smith

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

Cryptical

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Cryptic Crossword

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Yearly (best value)1 Year trial$12.991 Year
One-time8
  • 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 5 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 10)$0.99
  • get all 13 Cryptic packs$3.99
19 purchases

Cryptical

One-time19
  • Puzzle by Dalibor2 variantsFree
  • Puzzle by ExitFree
  • Await Further Instructions by HenriFree
Show 16 more
  • Puzzle by InvictaFree
  • Puzzle by MajorFree
  • Puzzle by metagloriaFree
  • Bad Postman by NoBadWeatherFree
  • Puzzle by OuroborosFree
  • Puzzle by tpgFree
  • No. 1C by Linden$0.29
  • No. 2 by Vytautus$0.29
  • No. 3 by Vytautus$0.29
  • No. 4 by Vytautus$0.29
  • Dogs by Linden$0.29
  • Mammals by Linden$0.29
  • Insects by Linden$0.29
  • No. 6 by Doc$0.49
  • Hint and explanation token top up$0.49
  • Animal-themed (x5) by Linden$0.99

Questions

Is Cryptic Crossword free?
Cryptic Crossword is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cryptical free?
Cryptical is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Cryptic Crossword or Cryptical have ads?
Neither Cryptic Crossword nor Cryptical shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cryptic Crossword or Cryptical?
Cryptic Crossword ships an update every 3 months, and Cryptical weekly. Most recently, Cryptic Crossword was updated on November 1, 2026 and Cryptical on October 29, 2026.

Other comparisons