Comparison

Cruza vs Read & Learn Languages

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

Head to head
About

Cruza

Learn Spanish or English through bilingual crosswords. Each puzzle builds vocabulary by providing English clues and requiring Spanish answers, with pronunciation and spaced repetition for memory retention. Offers themed books and gender drills for comprehensive language acquisition.

Highlights
  • Bilingual crossword puzzles
  • English clues, Spanish answers
  • Pronunciation playback
  • Spaced-repetition review
  • Gender drills and matching games
  • Themed puzzle books
Features
Read full description

Cruza — Bilingual Crosswords for Spanish & English Learn a language the way your brain actually enjoys: by solving. Every clue is in English, every answer in Spanish (and it works in reverse), so each square you fill builds real vocabulary. • A free puzzle every day — no account needed • 48 themed books, ~1,190 puzzles, graded A1 (beginner) to B2 • Tap any answer to hear it pronounced • Spaced-repetition review turns solved words into lasting memory • "El o La" gender drills and "Memoria" matching game • No ads. No tracking. No subscription. Unlock the entire library — every book, every level — with a single one-time purchase. Buy once, own forever. Whether you're learning Spanish, learning English, or just love a good crossword, Cruza makes daily practice a habit you'll keep.

About

Read & Learn Languages

Features
Read full description

Learn a language by binge-reading stories you can't put down. Contos is a library of serialized micro-fiction written for language learners — cosy mysteries, romances, crime and everyday sci-fi, in seventeen languages, written exactly at your level. Every chapter takes about five minutes, ends on a cliffhanger, and quietly teaches you the language you're learning. A WHOLE LIBRARY AT YOUR LEVEL • Hundreds of stories across dozens of series — romance, mystery, crime, sci-fi, comedy and family drama • Written for learners at every level, A1 to B2: you'll understand it from chapter one • New stories land in the library every week • Read stories for free. READ LIKE A NATIVE, LEARN LIKE A READER • Tap any word for an instant translation • Tap a phrase to translate the whole thing in context • Save words and phrases as flashcards with spaced repetition built in PLUS: A STORY WRITTEN JUST FOR YOU, EVERY DAY • Contos writes you a fresh personal story daily — your level, your interests, your pace • Around 75% words you already know, with new vocabulary introduced in context • Rate each story and tomorrow's recalibrates WATCH YOURSELF IMPROVE • Vocabulary milestones: 100, 500, 1,000 words and beyond • Streaks and reading-time achievements keep you showing up • Level up from A1 to B2 by reading, not by drilling SEVENTEEN LANGUAGES Spanish, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, English, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish, Japanese, Korean and Mandarin Chinese — with translations in your own language. WHY READING WORKS Languages aren't memorised — they're absorbed. Comprehensible input (reading you mostly understand, with just enough new) is how vocabulary actually sticks. Contos keeps you at that sweet spot chapter after chapter, because you'll always want to know what happens next. CONTOS PREMIUM The first chapters of every series are free. Contos Premium unlocks every chapter of every series, plus your daily personalised story and unlimited flashcards — pay monthly, or save with an annual plan. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase; the subscription renews for the same period (monthly or yearly, depending on your plan) unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel any time in Settings → Subscriptions. Your progress is saved to your account with Sign in with Apple. Terms of Use: https://contosapp.com/terms

Screenshots

Cruza4 screens
Read & Learn Languages4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Cruza at none against Read & Learn Languages's 1. Cruza also leads on ads (none vs shown). Read & Learn Languages's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 6 weeks). 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. Read & Learn Languages sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $7.99 per month. Cruza asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cruza ships an update every 6 weeks, Read & Learn Languages every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Cruza versus Read & Learn Languages: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCruzaRead & Learn Languages
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size58 MB40 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperSherar Genius LLCJake Harris

In-app purchases

None

Cruza

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Read & Learn Languages

Subscriptions1
  • Contos Premium Monthly$7.991 Month

Questions

Is Cruza free?
Cruza is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Read & Learn Languages free?
Read & Learn Languages is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Cruza or Read & Learn Languages have ads?
Read & Learn Languages shows ads; Cruza does not.
Which is updated more often, Cruza or Read & Learn Languages?
Cruza ships an update every 6 weeks, and Read & Learn Languages every 4 days. Most recently, Cruza was updated on October 5, 2026 and Read & Learn Languages on October 1, 2026.

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