Comparison

Cryptic Crossword vs Panes

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

Panes

Features
Read full description

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

Cryptic Crossword4 screens
Panes4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Cryptic Crossword versus Panes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCryptic CrosswordPanes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1.1K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.1K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 months—
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB9 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperTeazelSebastiano 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
Show 2 more
  • Dark mode option
  • Ability to indicate wrong answers

Panes

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

Panes

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cryptic Crossword free?
Cryptic Crossword is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Panes free?
Panes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Cryptic Crossword or Panes have ads?
Panes shows ads; Cryptic Crossword does not.

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