# Strings vs Tideword

Strings and Tideword are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Both are free to download. Strings sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Tideword sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Strings ships an update every 3 weeks, Tideword every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Strings | Tideword |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/strings-word-search/id6736436570/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 79.2% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 11 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 70 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Frostbyte Entertainment LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1772009662) | [Michael Alemayehu](https://appshunter.io/developer/6802934359) |

## What reviewers say

### Strings

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/strings-word-search/id6736436570)

This word search game offers a unique twist by challenging players to create interconnected word strands by tracing paths through a letter grid. It combines vocabulary and spatial reasoning for an engaging puzzle experience with various themes.

**Highlights:** Word search and connect-the-dots gameplay, Challenging vocabulary and spatial puzzles, Intuitive interface, Multiple topics and themes, Mind exercise and word weaving

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Engaging and fun gameplay
- 🚀 Smooth playing experience
- 💡 Challenging topics
- 🔒 Unobtrusive ads
- 👍 Relaxing and brain-stimulating

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Ads covering letters making them unclickable
- 🐛 Laggy tap response
- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🐛 Grid/puzzle too big for some screens

**Reported bugs**

- Tap action issues (too sensitive or unresponsive)
- Incompatibility with older devices
- Grid/puzzle size issues on smaller screens

**Requested features**

- List of all available games
- Ability to restart all puzzles
- Dark mode option


### Tideword

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tideword/id6804438895)

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

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tideword Plus Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Tideword Plus Annual | $29.99 | per year |
| Handful of Pearls | $1.99 | one-time |
| Starter Bundle | $2.99 | one-time |
| Pouch of Pearls | $3.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $3.99 | one-time |
| Power Bundle | $5.99 | one-time |
| Chest of Pearls | $8.99 | one-time |
| Sunken Treasure | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Strings free?

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

### Is Tideword free?

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

### Do Strings or Tideword have ads?

Both Strings and Tideword show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Strings or Tideword?

Strings ships an update every 3 weeks, and Tideword every 11 days. Most recently, Strings was updated on November 4, 2026 and Tideword on October 31, 2026.

---

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