Words Parlor vs Crosscue
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Words Parlor
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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/
Crosscue
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Words Parlor sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Crosscue asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
| Parameter | Words Parlor | Crosscue |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 31 MB | 27 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Pen-Hsiang Liao | ANDREW THOMAS HESS |
In-app purchases
Words Parlor
- American Road Tour Vol. 1$4.99
Crosscue
No in-app purchases









