# Cryptogram vs Words & Books

The clearest difference is ads: Words & Books at none against Cryptogram's shown. Cryptogram's advantage is review sentiment (67% vs 40%) and rating (4.9 vs 4.7). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cryptogram sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Words & Books sells 18 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Cryptogram holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 763 and 359 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Cryptogram's written reviews are positive against 40% of Words & Books's.

Cryptogram ships an update every 2 weeks, Words & Books every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cryptogram | Words & Books |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (763 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptogram-word-puzzle-master/id6670599725/reviews)** | [4.7 (359 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/words-and-books-code-quest/id6736644953/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **763** | 359 |
| Positive reviews | **66.7% of reviews** | 40.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 178 MB | 303 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Guru Future Holding Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1693569117) | [Matryoshka Games (CY) LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1530009343) |

## What reviewers say

### Cryptogram

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptogram-word-puzzle-master/id6670599725)

This game challenges your logic and vocabulary by having you decipher encoded quotes. Use contextual clues and letter patterns to reveal hidden messages and learn English expressions. Enjoy endless puzzles and a mental workout anytime, anywhere.

**Highlights:** Decode hidden messages, Decrypt letter substitution ciphers, Use contextual clues, Reveal encoded phrases, Utilize hints for assistance, Vast library of quotes, Offline gameplay

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock Decades of Hits | $5.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads Permanently | $7.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun and engaging gameplay
- 💡 Variety of word puzzles
- 🚀 Smooth gameplay experience
- 👍 Aesthetically pleasing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Difficulty distinguishing numbers
- 🐛 Ads not removed despite paid option
- 🐛 Ads covering gameplay elements
- 🐛 Small font and text size

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to progress to next level
- Ads preventing access to game modes

**Requested features**

- Option to turn off auto-scroll
- Move ads off the gameplay area


### Words & Books

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/words-and-books-code-quest/id6736644953)

Engage your mind with a unique blend of word puzzles, cryptograms, and logic challenges. Decode famous quotes, expand your vocabulary, and enjoy an uninterrupted, educational gaming experience suitable for all ages.

**Highlights:** Decode famous quotes, Cryptogram challenges, Logic puzzles, Vocabulary enrichment, Intuitive gameplay, Varied difficulty levels

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NoAds Pack! | $0.99 | one-time |
| Bundle Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Bundle Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| NoAds Pack! | $1.99 | one-time |
| Your Offer! | $1.99 | one-time |
| Your Offer! | $2.99 | one-time |
| Bundle Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| NoAds Pack! | $4.99 | one-time |
| Your Offer! | $4.99 | one-time |
| Your Offer! | $6.99 | one-time |
| NoAds Pack! | $9.99 | one-time |
| Your Offer! | $9.99 | one-time |
| Bundle Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Your Offer! | $14.99 | one-time |
| Your Offer! | $19.99 | one-time |
| Bundle Pack | $19.99 | one-time |
| Bundle Pack | $39.99 | one-time |
| Bundle Pack | $79.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good game
- 👍 Excellent game to keep mind sharp
- 👍 Definitely challenging

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Too many ads
- 🐛 Janky typing interface causes errors
- 🐛 Numbers are hard to see

**Reported bugs**

- Ad-free version still has ads
- No response from support

**Requested features**

- Add French language support
- Auto-populate letter/number combinations


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cryptogram free?

Cryptogram is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Words & Books free?

Words & Books is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Cryptogram or Words & Books?

Cryptogram is rated higher. Cryptogram averages 4.9 out of 5 from 763 ratings, while Words & Books averages 4.7 from 359 ratings.

### Do Cryptogram or Words & Books have ads?

Cryptogram shows ads; Words & Books does not.

### Which is updated more often, Cryptogram or Words & Books?

Cryptogram ships an update every 2 weeks, and Words & Books every 3 weeks. Most recently, Cryptogram was updated on September 25, 2026 and Words & Books on September 23, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*