Cryptic Crossword vs Panes
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 260+ professional cryptic crosswords
- 29 free puzzles
- Pinch zooming grid
- Cheats and mistake highlighting
- Resume functionality
- Customizable preferences
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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
Panes
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Every grid has one simple goal: divide it into panes that fit every clue. Each number tells you how many cells belong in its pane. Shape hints show whether the answer is wide, tall or square. Draw rectangles until every cell is covered — without overlaps and with one clue in each pane. Start with a guided puzzle, then move through increasingly satisfying challenges. Later levels introduce hidden information and blocked cells, rewarding careful logic without turning the board into clutter. FEATURES • Quick, clean logic puzzles • A fresh Daily Challenge • Play streaks and a streak freeze • Helpful hints when you need them • Light and dark appearance • No account required • Core play works offline Panes is easy to learn, calm to play and built for those “just one more grid” moments. Panes is free to play and supported by advertising.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Panes at none against Cryptic Crossword's 15. Cryptic Crossword's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and device support (3 vs 1). On price 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
Both are free to download. Cryptic Crossword sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Panes asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | Cryptic Crossword | Panes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (1.1K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 90.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1.1K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | — |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Teazel | Sebastiano Zane |
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
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- Dark mode option
- Ability to indicate wrong answers
Panes
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Cryptic Crossword
- Monthly$1.991 Month
- Yearly (best value)1 Year trial$12.991 Year
- pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 1)$0.99
- pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 2)$0.99
- pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 3)$0.99
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- 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
Panes
No in-app purchases








