Comparison

Mastermind vs Pawdoku

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

Head to head
About

Mastermind

Features
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The classic code-breaking game — reimagined. Mastermind: Code Break challenges your logic and deduction. Each game, a secret 4-color code is generated. You have 10 attempts to crack it. After every guess, hint pins guide your thinking — black for the right color in the right spot, white for the right color in the wrong spot. No luck. No timers on screen. Just pure deduction. TWO DIFFICULTY MODES Normal mode allows color repetition — the same color can appear more than once in the secret code, which dramatically increases the challenge. Easy mode guarantees each color appears at most once, perfect for new players or a quick game. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS Every game is recorded. Head to your stats screen to see your win rate, current and best win streak, your fastest solve time, your average number of guesses, and a full guess distribution chart — just like Wordle, but for colors. BUILT FOR DAILY PLAY Each game takes 2–5 minutes. The clean, distraction-free interface keeps you focused on the puzzle. No sign-in required. No internet connection needed. Your stats and settings are saved automatically between sessions. FEATURES AT A GLANCE • 6 colors, 4 positions, 10 guesses • Easy mode (no repeated colors) and Normal mode • Per-guess elapsed time display (can be hidden in Settings) • Win rate, streaks, best time, average guesses, guess distribution • Separate stats for Easy and Normal modes • Settings saved between sessions • 100% offline — no account needed • Accessible dark UI with high-contrast colors Download free and start cracking.

About

Pawdoku

A minimalist logic puzzle game where players place cats on a grid, ensuring each row, column, and region has one cat, and no two cats are adjacent. It offers a calming, deduction-based experience with no timers or pressure, playable offline.

Highlights
  • Single-solution logic puzzles
  • Pure deduction gameplay
  • Hints that teach logical steps
  • Progressive board sizes (4x4 to 10x10)
  • Offline play
  • Distraction-free interface
Features
Currently charting
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Every otter needs their own corner. One board. One solution. No guessing required. Pawdoku is a clean, minimalist Queens-style logic puzzle built around a simple promise: every puzzle has exactly one correct answer, and you can always reach it through pure deduction. Place one otter in each row, each column, and each colored region — and make sure no two otters ever touch, not even diagonally. The moment you place the last otter, you'll know you earned it. No timer. No pressure. Play offline anywhere. WHY YOU'LL LOVE PAWDOKU • A calm, single-solution logic puzzle that rewards reasoning over guessing • Hints that teach, not spoil — they show the next logical step and why it holds • Boards that grow with you, from a cozy 4×4 all the way to a deep 10×10 • Smooth, tactile placement and a satisfying "last otter home" moment every level • Works fully offline with fast loading and a clean, distraction-free interface HOW TO PLAY • Place exactly one otter in every row, every column, and every colored region • Keep otters apart — no two may sit adjacent, not even diagonally • Use deduction, not luck — every puzzle has one guaranteed answer • Tap a hint to highlight the next logical step when the grid feels tight • Fill the board correctly to solve the puzzle and unlock the next size WHY THIS PUZZLE STANDS OUT • Simple rules, deep strategy, and a truly mindful logic escape • One board, one solution — no guessing, no dead ends, no luck • Hints that build understanding, so you learn how you actually solved it • Perfect for short breaks or longer sessions to ease stress and sharpen focus • Clean visuals and gentle pacing that keep every puzzle readable A LOGIC PUZZLE FOR ANY MOMENT Learn the rules in seconds, then master trickier region shapes and configurations across dozens of clever boards. Start small on 4×4, then work up through 5×5, 6×6, all the way to 10×10. The rules never change — the depth just keeps unfolding. If you love Sudoku but want something fresh, or you've tried Queens puzzles and want one that meets you at your level, this is it. Whether you have one minute or one hour, Pawdoku fits your pace. No clock racing against you, no pressure to rush — just you, the otters, and the quiet satisfaction of a perfectly solved board. Find every otter their corner. Download Pawdoku now and turn pure logic into pure calm.

Screenshots

Mastermind4 screens
Pawdoku4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Mastermind at none against Pawdoku's 2. Mastermind also leads on ads (none vs shown). Pawdoku's advantage is chart position (#176 vs unranked) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 11 days). On price, 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. Pawdoku sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Mastermind asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mastermind ships an update every 11 days, Pawdoku every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Mastermind versus Pawdoku: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMastermindPawdoku
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.9 (4.8K ratings) — better
Positive reviews—45.3% of reviews
Number of ratings—4.8K — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Ad-supported
Best chart rank—#176 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.415.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB318 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFabio Dordetto de AbreuAI FIRST FOR EVERYTHING TECHNOLOGY PTE. LTD.

In-app purchases

None

Mastermind

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Pawdoku

One-time2
  • Hint Gift Pack$9.99
  • Locate Gift Pack$9.99

Questions

Is Mastermind free?
Mastermind is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pawdoku free?
Pawdoku is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Mastermind or Pawdoku have ads?
Pawdoku shows ads; Mastermind does not.
Which is updated more often, Mastermind or Pawdoku?
Mastermind ships an update every 11 days, and Pawdoku every 5 days. Most recently, Mastermind was updated on September 11, 2026 and Pawdoku on September 24, 2026.

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