Comparison

Cryptic Crossword vs Cross Boss

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

Cross Boss

This app transforms traditional crosswords into a competitive two-player word game. It adds tactical elements to the familiar crossword format, allowing you to challenge friends or random opponents. Enjoy a vast library of puzzles and engage with opponents through chat.

Highlights
  • Two-player competitive word game
  • Tactical game elements
  • Challenge friends or random opponents
  • Play over the net or locally
  • In-game chat
  • Over 200 high-quality crosswords
Features
Read full description

Cross Boss – transforms regular crosswords into an exciting word game! The game is based on the crosswords we all know and love. However, we’ve spiced them up with a whole new set of tactical game ingredients, which make Cross Boss a competitive social game for two. Trying it out is a no-brainer for all word gamers and crossword solvers! With Cross Boss in your iPhone you can: * Challenge friends or try your luck against random opponents. * Play over the net or use the same mobile for both players. * Encourage or trash talk your opponent in the chat. * Enjoy over 200 high quality crosswords, created by the best specifically for Cross Boss. * Delight in the spectacular savings of downloading and playing for free. * Liberally share the fun with your friends via Facebook or email. Now show the world who is the boss! Download and challenge someone already today!

Screenshots

Cryptic Crossword4 screens
Cross Boss4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Cryptic Crossword at 4.8 against Cross Boss's 4.2. Cryptic Crossword also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (1.1K vs 59). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 Cross Boss sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Cryptic Crossword holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cryptic Crossword has 1.1K ratings behind it against 59, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of Cryptic Crossword's written reviews are positive against 75% of Cross Boss's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Cryptic Crossword versus Cross Boss: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCryptic CrosswordCross Boss
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1.1K ratings) — better4.2 (59 ratings)
Positive reviews90.6% of reviews — better75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1.1K — better59
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.6
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB71 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperTeazelKEP Games

Customer experience

Cryptic Crossword

All ratings1,071 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral2.3%
Negative0.8%
Written reviews331 reviews
Positive90.6%
Neutral5.7%
Negative3.6%

Cross Boss

All ratings59 ratings
Positive83.1%
Neutral3.4%
Negative13.6%
Written reviews68 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral8.8%
Negative16.2%

User reviews

Cryptic Crossword

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great mind workout
  • 👍 Excellent value for money
  • 👍 Fantastic and addictive challenges
  • 👍 Not too hard not too easy
  • 👍 Excellent intro to cryptic crosswords

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional freezing and crashing issues
  • 🐛 Backup/restore not working
  • 🐛 Purchased puzzles disappearing after device change
  • 🔍 Clues can be too easy or too obscure
  • 🔍 Too many anagrams and hidden word clues

Cross Boss

From 59 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Fun competitive crosswords
  • 💡 Great game concept
  • 👍 Easy to learn UI
  • 😊 Addictive and fun
  • 👍 Good for brain exercise

Room to improve

  • 😠 Too many ads
  • 😠 Ads are intrusive
  • 😠 Ads are game breaking
  • 😠 Subscription for ad-free
  • 😠 Greedy IAP model

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

Cross Boss

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Notifications stopped working
  • App crashes constantly
  • No keyboard to type word after unlocking clue
  • App not working with iOS 9

Requested features

5 requests
  • Option to force forfeit or extend game time
  • More puzzles by 'Mark'
  • Single player mode with normal crossword
  • Option to start game with all clues revealed
  • Pro version for ad removal

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
2 purchases

Cross Boss

One-time2
  • Statistics$1.99
  • No ads for six months$2.99

Questions

Is Cryptic Crossword free?
Cryptic Crossword is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cross Boss free?
Cross Boss is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Cryptic Crossword or Cross Boss?
Cryptic Crossword is rated higher. Cryptic Crossword averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Cross Boss averages 4.2 from 59 ratings.
Do Cryptic Crossword or Cross Boss have ads?
Cross Boss shows ads; Cryptic Crossword does not.
Which is updated more often, Cryptic Crossword or Cross Boss?
Cryptic Crossword ships an update every 3 months, and Cross Boss every 3 months. Most recently, Cryptic Crossword was updated on November 1, 2026 and Cross Boss on November 1, 2026.

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