# Cryptic Mind vs The Completionist

The clearest difference is price: Cryptic Mind at Free against The Completionist's $1.99. Cryptic Mind also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). The Completionist's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Cryptic Mind is free to download; The Completionist costs $1.99 up front. The Completionist sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Cryptic Mind asks for nothing beyond the download.

Cryptic Mind ships an update every 2 months, The Completionist every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cryptic Mind | The Completionist |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $1.99 |
| Rating | — | **[4.7 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-completionist-1980-1989/id6759388583/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **6** |
| Positive reviews | — | 69.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | — | Paid |
| Size | 19 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [ADAVII (PVT) LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1711708818) | [Frosty Pop](https://appshunter.io/developer/930758677) |

## What reviewers say

### Cryptic Mind

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptic-mind/id6737751545)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### The Completionist

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-completionist-1980-1989/id6759388583)

Manage a 1980s pop culture magazine, hiring staff and commissioning stories. Navigate deadlines and finances with a retro aesthetic and a Kanban workflow. Your choices impact the magazine's success and unlock new narrative quests.

**Highlights:** Run a 1980s pop culture magazine, Hire writers, editors, and researchers, Kanban workflow for story management, Retro pixel art and sound design, Thousands of 1980s headlines, Prestige system for permanent upgrades, Narrative quests and story progression

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monday Motivation | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cryptic Mind free?

Cryptic Mind is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is The Completionist free?

The Completionist costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Do Cryptic Mind or The Completionist have ads?

Neither Cryptic Mind nor The Completionist shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cryptic Mind or The Completionist?

Cryptic Mind ships an update every 2 months, and The Completionist every 3 days. Most recently, Cryptic Mind was updated on November 8, 2026 and The Completionist on November 9, 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.*