# Crossword Challenge vs Yarn Loop

The clearest difference is ads: Yarn Loop at none against Crossword Challenge's shown. Yarn Loop also leads on review sentiment (49% vs 34%) and chart position (#18 vs #109). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Crossword Challenge sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Yarn Loop sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Crossword Challenge against 4.8 for Yarn Loop. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19K and 62K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 34% of Crossword Challenge's written reviews are positive against 49% of Yarn Loop's.

Crossword Challenge ships an update weekly, Yarn Loop every 5 days. Both last shipped on November 8, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Crossword Challenge | Yarn Loop |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (19K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-challenge/id6741474981/reviews) | **[4.8 (62K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yarn-loop-knit-puzzle/id6755183085/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 19K | **62K** |
| Positive reviews | 34.4% of reviews | **49.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #109 | **#18** |
| Size | 273 MB | 278 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nocturnal Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/1686574977) | [Combo Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/1641699177) |

## What reviewers say

### Crossword Challenge

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-challenge/id6741474981)

**Currently charting:** #109 Top Free · Word, #179 Top Grossing · Word (US App Store)

Engage in daily mental workouts with this picture-based crossword game. Solve unique visual clues, compete in weekly tournaments, and collect city badges through mini-levels. Enjoy a relaxing, timer-free experience with modern design and dark mode support.

**Highlights:** Brain-training crossword puzzles, Unique picture clues, Daily mini levels with city badges, Weekly global tournaments, Modern design with Dark Mode, Play at your own pace (no timers), Auto-save progress

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Revive | $1.99 | one-time |
| Limited Puzzle Pass 30 Days | $2.99 | one-time |
| Standart Puzzle Pass 7 Days | $3.99 | one-time |
| 5 Hints | $7.99 | one-time |
| 5 Revives | $7.99 | one-time |
| Standart Puzzle Pass 30 Days | $11.99 | one-time |
| 10 Hints | $14.99 | one-time |
| Pro Puzzle Pass 30 Days | $14.99 | one-time |
| 10 Revives | $14.99 | one-time |
| 25 Hints | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun game
- ⏱️ Good time waster

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Incorrect clues
- 🇺🇸 Vocabulary not suitable for US players
- 📺 Too many ads

**Reported bugs**

- Letters not staying in the correct squares

**Requested features**

- Option to remove ads permanently
- Fix for game getting stuck on the same puzzle


### Yarn Loop

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yarn-loop-knit-puzzle/id6755183085)

**Currently charting:** #18 Top Grossing · Casual, #21 Top Grossing · Puzzle, #36 Top Free · Casual, #37 Top Free · Puzzle, #39 Top Grossing · Games, #71 Top Free · Games, #102 Top Grossing (US App Store)

A relaxing puzzle game where you guide colorful yarn bobbins to collect stitches of their matching color. Manage bobbin capacity and use them in the correct order to complete intricate knitted patterns. Enjoy hundreds of levels with a cozy, visually charming aesthetic.

**Highlights:** One-tap gameplay, Color-based stitch collection, Bobbin capacity management, Rack reuse function, Hundreds of levels, Cozy yarn aesthetic

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Yarn Flow 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Yarn Flow 3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Yarn Flow 4 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Yarn Flow 5 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Yarn Flow 8 | $7.99 | one-time |
| Yarn Flow 10 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Yarn Flow 12 | $11.99 | one-time |
| Yarn Flow 15 | $14.99 | one-time |
| Yarn Flow 20 | $19.99 | one-time |
| Yarn Loop 25 | $24.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Crossword Challenge free?

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

### Is Yarn Loop free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Crossword Challenge or Yarn Loop?

Yarn Loop is rated higher. Crossword Challenge averages 4.7 out of 5 from 19K ratings, while Yarn Loop averages 4.8 from 62K ratings.

### Do Crossword Challenge or Yarn Loop have ads?

Crossword Challenge shows ads; Yarn Loop does not.

### Which is updated more often, Crossword Challenge or Yarn Loop?

Crossword Challenge ships an update weekly, and Yarn Loop every 5 days. Most recently, Crossword Challenge was updated on November 8, 2026 and Yarn Loop on November 8, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Crossword Challenge or Yarn Loop?

Crossword Challenge currently peaks at #109 in the App Store charts, and Yarn Loop at #18. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*