# Cryptic Writings vs Cipher Grid

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Cryptic Writings at none against Cipher Grid's 2. Cryptic Writings also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.1). Cipher Grid's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cipher Grid sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.90 per month. Cryptic Writings asks for nothing beyond the download.

Cryptic Writings ships an update every 5 months, Cipher Grid every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cryptic Writings | Cipher Grid |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Size | 61 MB | 41 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lavish Software Solutions SRL](https://appshunter.io/developer/1795329843) | [Francois Van Malleghem](https://appshunter.io/developer/1892359058) |

## What reviewers say

### Cryptic Writings

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptic-writings-cryptograms/id6741738248)

**In-app purchases:** none


### Cipher Grid

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cipher-grid/id6761995739)

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cipher Grid Pro | $0.90 | per month |
| Cipher Grid Pro | $9.00 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cryptic Writings free?

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

### Is Cipher Grid free?

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

### Do Cryptic Writings or Cipher Grid have ads?

Neither Cryptic Writings nor Cipher Grid shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cryptic Writings or Cipher Grid?

Cryptic Writings ships an update every 5 months, and Cipher Grid every 3 weeks. Most recently, Cryptic Writings was updated on October 1, 2026 and Cipher Grid on October 15, 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.*