Comparison

Puzzlithm vs VariantDoku

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Puzzlithm

Features
Read full description

算数が好きになるためのパズルアプリ「Puzzlithm(パズリズム)」 数字をヒントにマスを塗ったり光を当てたりして解く、頭をフル回転させる論理パズルアプリです! 2種類のパズル「美術館・改」「ぬりかべ・改」を収録しています! 美術館・改:照明をタップで設置し、全てのマスを照らすように配置します。すべてのマスを照らし、数字マスの周囲に正しい数の照明を置くことができればクリアです。 ぬりかべ・改:数字マスを囲むように黒マスを塗って、条件通りにブロックを分割していきます。すべての数字マスが数字通りに独立し、黒マスがひと続きになればクリアです。 ひらめきと論理で一気に道が開ける爽快感がクセになり、算数が好きになりたい小学生や頭のストレッチをしたい方におすすめのパズルです!

About

VariantDoku

This app offers a vast library of over 3,000 logic-based variant Sudoku puzzles, including Killer, Kropki, and zero-givens. It features interactive tutorials, advanced solving tools, and accessibility options like VoiceOver and color-blind support. Enjoy a pure logic experience with no ads or guessing required.

Highlights
  • 3,000+ variant and zero-givens puzzles
  • Logic-checked puzzles with single solutions
  • Daily puzzle with leaderboard
  • Interactive tutorials for all variants
  • Advanced solving tools (notes, colors, hints)
  • Accessibility features (VoiceOver, color-blind support)
  • Dark mode and calm interface
Features
Read full description

No ads. No guessing. Just pure-logic variant sudoku. VariantDoku is built for solvers who want more than one daily grid — a growing library of 3,000+ variant and zero-givens puzzles, every one verified to have a single solution reachable by logic alone. No ads, ever — free or paid. WHY SOLVERS STAY - 3,000+ variant & zero-givens puzzles: killer cages, thermos, kropki dots, XV, arrows, renban, German whispers, palindromes, diagonals, anti-knight, and more - Every puzzle is logic-checked: one unique solution, no guessing required - A new daily puzzle, free for everyone — compare solve times on the daily leaderboard - Home-screen widget keeps today's puzzle one tap away - Audio narration reads the rules and tutorial steps aloud — listen while you study the grid LEARN ANY VARIANT - Step-by-step interactive tutorials for every variant, from your first 4x4 grid to mixed-constraint puzzles - A guided first-launch experience matches puzzles to your level — you're never thrown into the deep end - Already sharp? Skip straight to the expert grids TOOLS THAT RESPECT YOUR SOLVE - Candidate notes, corner marks, colors, and symbols for advanced solving - Error checking and gentle hints — only when you ask - Import puzzle links straight into your Library - Search and filters by difficulty, grid size, and constraint type - Streaks and solve history to track your progress - Dark mode and a calm interface designed for long sessions - Fully optimized for iPad in portrait and landscape, and runs on Mac BUILT TO BE ACCESSIBLE - VoiceOver plays the whole board: move cell by cell and hear the digit, your pencil marks, the clues on that cell and how it connects to its neighbours - Colour-blind support: German Whispers, Renban, Palindrome, Region Sum and Parity lines each have their own dash pattern, so no rule depends on colour alone - Reduce Motion is respected — staged hint reveals and animations settle immediately HINTS THAT COACH, NOT ANSWER - Every hint names the next logical step — Hidden Single, X-Wing, W-Wing, Simple Coloring, Forcing Chain — and highlights the cells it depends on - It reads the pencil marks you already made and builds on them - It never reveals a digit that isn't logically deduced; when the logic only rules candidates out, it shows you that instead of handing you a number THE VARIANTS LIST Classic Sudoku, Killer Sudoku, Kropki, XV, Thermo, German Whispers, Renban, Palindrome, Between Lines, Lockout Lines, Region Sum Lines, Arrow Sudoku, Diagonal (Sudoku X), Anti-Knight, Anti-King — plus multi-constraint puzzles that combine several on one board, and zero-givens puzzles solved entirely from the variant rules. Variant+ removes the hint limit and explains the available logical deductions step by step, and adds unlimited puzzles, unlimited error checking and offline Library play. The app stays 100% ad-free — free or paid. Whether you're learning your first killer cage or chasing your hundredth zero-givens solve, VariantDoku is a calm place to practice and improve. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Puzzlithm1 screens
VariantDoku4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Puzzlithm at none against VariantDoku's 3. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. VariantDoku sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Puzzlithm asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Puzzlithm versus VariantDoku: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPuzzlithmVariantDoku
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.9 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—7 — better
Update frequency—Weekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMiwa KajiharaUladzislau Artsemyeu

In-app purchases

None

Puzzlithm

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

VariantDoku

Subscriptions2
  • Variant+ Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Variant+ Annual7 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Variant+ Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is Puzzlithm free?
Puzzlithm is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is VariantDoku free?
VariantDoku is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Puzzlithm or VariantDoku have ads?
Neither Puzzlithm nor VariantDoku shows ads.

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