Comparison

Cipher Genius vs ZenGrid

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

Head to head
About

Cipher Genius

Crack colorful emoji-style ciphers with a modern, intuitive design. Enjoy hundreds of puzzles, from quick lists to full quotes, with no ads or timers. Play offline and at your own pace.

Highlights
  • Emoji-style cipher tiles
  • Hundreds of puzzles
  • Two puzzle styles (lists and long answers)
  • Three difficulty levels
  • No ads or timers
  • Offline play
  • Portrait and landscape modes
  • Accessibility features
Features
Read full description

Cipher Genius – Decode the Puzzle, Enjoy the Moment Crack colourful emoji-style ciphers in a calm, modern take on the classic cryptogram. Every letter becomes a bright, expressive tile, helping patterns jump out and making solving feel intuitive—even if you’re brand new to cryptograms. From quick list puzzles to full-length quotes, Cipher Genius gives you plenty to enjoy right from day one. Why you’ll love Cipher Genius • Fresh visual design – Emoji-style cipher tiles make letter matching easy and delightful. • Hundreds of puzzles – Start with the free 100+ puzzle Starter Pack, then explore themed packs like Arts & Literature, History & Legends, Food & Drink, Music, and more. • Two puzzle styles – Solve ~10-item lists or single-phrase “long answer” challenges. Quick to learn, deeply satisfying. • Three difficulty levels – From relaxed to brain-bending. • No ads. No timers. No pressure. Just thoughtful, relaxing puzzling at your own pace. • Play offline – Perfect for airplanes, travel, or quiet breaks. • Portrait or landscape – Play how you like on iPhone or iPad. • Built-in accessibility – Full Dynamic Types and color-blind-friendly support Play your way Browse topics you love—Music, Nature & Science, Quotations, Humor & Wit, Young at Heart, and more. Add new puzzle packs anytime to grow your library and keep things fresh. Fair and friendly Cipher Genius includes short, attributed public-domain quotes and educational excerpts presented as puzzles. No copyrighted lyrics, commercial images, or video content. Relax. Decode. Enjoy. Whether you’re a seasoned codebreaker or solving your very first cryptogram, Cipher Genius offers a warm, modern, and satisfyingly colourful puzzling experience.

About

ZenGrid

Features
Read full description

Discover the art of mindful puzzle-solving with ZenGrid – where classic Sudoku meets tranquil design. FIND YOUR FLOW Immerse yourself in a calming puzzle experience with beautiful zen-inspired visuals, soothing ambient sounds, and smooth haptic feedback that makes every move feel satisfying. THREE DIFFICULTY LEVELS - Easy – Perfect for beginners or a relaxing session - Medium – A balanced challenge for daily practice - Hard – Test your skills with fewer hints and more cells to solve ELEGANT FEATURES - Multiple stunning themes to match your mood - Ambient music and sound effects (toggleable) - Auto-save – Track your wins, losses, and progress - Gentle haptic feedback throughout - Clean, distraction-free interface DESIGNED FOR WELLNESS ZenGrid isn't just a game – it's a moment of calm in your day. Whether you have five minutes or an hour, let the puzzles guide you to a state of focused relaxation. No ads. No interruptions. Just you and the puzzle. Download ZenGrid today and find your flow.

Screenshots

Cipher Genius4 screens
ZenGrid4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ZenGrid at none against Cipher Genius's 10. 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. Cipher Genius sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. ZenGrid asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Cipher Genius versus ZenGrid: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCipher GeniusZenGrid
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.1 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB106 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperSmartphone Design LtdKaila Consulting Inc.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Cipher Genius

One-time10
  • Food & Drink$3.99
  • Music$3.99
  • Humor & Wit$3.99
Show 7 more
  • Word Play$3.99
  • Geography & Travel$3.99
  • Quotations$3.99
  • History & Legends$3.99
  • Nature & Science$3.99
  • Young At Heart$3.99
  • Ultimate Collection$24.99
None

ZenGrid

No in-app purchases

Questions

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

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