Comparison

Words Parlor vs Crosscue

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

Head to head
About

Words Parlor

Read full description

Welcome to Word Parlor, a digital sanctuary for crossword lovers. We believe puzzles shouldn't be stressful. They should be a relaxing ritual—a way to sharpen your mind while soothing your soul. START YOUR COLLECTION Dive into our curated starter collection of themed puzzles. Whether you are dreaming of a road cruise adventure or a timeless bonding session, our handcrafted crosswords take you there, one word at a time. PLAY YOUR WAY • No Rush... Unless You Want It: By default, Word Parlor is a stress-free zone with no ticking clock. Prefer to track your speed? Simply toggle on the Optional Timer to challenge yourself. The choice is yours. • Designed for Comfort: We’ve ditched the tiny text and cluttered screens. Enjoy a clean, "large-print" interface that is easy on the eyes and simple to navigate. PURE & SIMPLE Word Parlor is free to play, supported by unobtrusive ads. Love the experience and want more? We have more challenging collections available for purchase. FEATURES: • Vintage Voyager Theme: A beautiful, retro aesthetic inspired by the good old postcards from a traveling friend. • Classic Gameplay: Engaging clues and grids that make sense. • Accessibility First: Covers the majority of accessibility features. • More Coming Soon: This is just the beginning of our journey. Stay tuned for new destinations and puzzle packs arriving soon! Download today and start your collection By using Words Parlor, you agree to the standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA), which can be found here: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Crosscue

Features
Read full description

Crosscue is a fast, privacy-first crossword solver for people who want the puzzle, not the strings attached. SOLVE YOUR PUZZLES • Import .puz and .ipuz crossword files • Download supported daily mini crosswords in the app • Navigate naturally between across and down clues • Use rebus entries, pencil mode, mistake highlighting, and reveal tools • Keep your progress with automatic saving BUILD A SOLVING HABIT • Browse completed and in-progress puzzles in your archive • Track solve times, completion rates, streaks, and personal records • Share a clean result card without exposing puzzle answers • Use widgets and shortcuts to get back to solving quickly CHALLENGE FRIENDS—OPTIONALLY Create a private, invite-only Challenge Board and compare daily-mini solve times with friends. No account is required: choose a handle, share an invite link, and start solving. Adding an avatar photo is always optional. PRIVATE BY DESIGN • No ads • No analytics • No tracking • No account required • Core solving works offline • Optional iCloud sync keeps your puzzle library on your Apple devices Crosscue includes accessibility support for VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, keyboard navigation, reduced motion, and high-contrast display settings. Your puzzles are yours. Open one and get solving.

Screenshots

Words Parlor4 screens
Crosscue3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Crosscue at none against Words Parlor's 1. Crosscue also leads on ads (none vs shown). Words Parlor's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence and device support 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. Words Parlor sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Crosscue asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Words Parlor ships an update every 6 weeks, Crosscue every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 3 level
Words Parlor versus Crosscue: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWords ParlorCrosscue
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB27 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperPen-Hsiang LiaoANDREW THOMAS HESS

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Words Parlor

One-time1
  • American Road Tour Vol. 1$4.99
None

Crosscue

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Words Parlor free?
Words Parlor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Crosscue free?
Crosscue is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Words Parlor or Crosscue have ads?
Words Parlor shows ads; Crosscue does not.
Which is updated more often, Words Parlor or Crosscue?
Words Parlor ships an update every 6 weeks, and Crosscue every 2 months. Most recently, Words Parlor was updated on October 7, 2026 and Crosscue on October 13, 2026.

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