Comparison

Calcudoku vs SootheQuest

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

Head to head
About

Calcudoku

This logic puzzle game offers a unique approach to learning how to solve number grids. Instead of simply revealing answers, it provides intelligent, step-by-step guidance on logical strategies and note-taking to help you master the puzzles.

Highlights
  • Intelligent step-by-step explanations
  • Optional auto notes for cages
  • Intuitive note-taking interface
  • Variety of arithmetic operations
  • Grids for all skill levels
  • Offline-first architecture
  • Dark mode support
Features
Read full description

Tired of puzzle games that just give you the answer when you get stuck? Welcome to a smarter way to play Calcudoku. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a logic puzzle beginner, our app doesn’t just show you where numbers go—it teaches you how to find them. --- THE SMART DIFFERENTIATOR --- When you hit a wall, our built-in helper analyzes your exact grid state and explains the logical next step. Instead of ruining the puzzle by solving the cell for you, the engine guides you through advanced grid strategies. You’ll learn how to cross-reference cages, update your notes, and look for cell candidate reductions so you can solve the grid completely on your own. --- KEY GAME FEATURES --- • INTELLIGENT EXPLANATIONS: Step-by-step guidance focused on note-taking, elimination strategies, and candidate pruning. • OPTIONAL AUTO NOTES: Start new games with notes in cells based on cage arithmetic. • SMOOTH NOTES: Rapidly input and edit candidate notes with an intuitive, fluid UI built for mobile screens. • COMPLETE ARITHMETIC VARIETY: Choose grids featuring addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division loops. • GRIDS FOR EVERY SKILL LEVEL: Play everything from quick 4x4 warmups to grueling, massive 9x9 math matrices. • POLISHED INTERFACE: Full native dark mode support, crisp typography, and an offline-first architecture so you can play anywhere without Wi-Fi. Master the grid, elevate your deduction skills, and train your brain with a game that actually makes you a better solver.

About

SootheQuest

A match-3 puzzle game designed for individuals managing chronic illness and pain, offering a pressure-free experience with gentle mechanics. It focuses on rest-friendly gameplay, mindfulness features, and encouraging messages to support wellbeing.

Highlights
  • Rest-friendly streak system
  • Zen Garden no-fail mode
  • Tiny Wins for low-energy days
  • Gentle boost for difficult levels
  • Encouraging quotes and Comfort Journal
  • Guided breathing and soundscapes
  • Comfort & Access features
Features
Read full description

Soothe Quest is a match-3 puzzle game designed from the ground up for people living with chronic illness and chronic pain — and for anyone who wants a game that respects their energy. Created by a rheumatologist who lives with chronic pain himself, Soothe Quest is what a "cozy game" should actually mean: genuinely engaging puzzles, with every pressure mechanic deliberately removed. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT • A rest-friendly streak — it counts the days you show up, forgives rest days, and losing never breaks it. Consistency over heroics. • The Zen Garden — a no-fail sanctuary mode. No moves, no timer, no losing. Just match, breathe, and watch your garden grow. • Tiny Wins — one-minute levels for low-energy days that still count toward your daily gentle goal. • A gentle boost — struggling with a level? The game quietly offers a little extra room, no judgment. • Real encouragement — after each level, a line from The Resilient Path: Modern Strategies for Living with Chronic Pain, written by the game's creator. Save the words that help to your Comfort Journal, and share them as beautiful quote cards. • The Calm Corner — guided box breathing and soothing rain or wave soundscapes, built right in. • Comfort & Access — larger gems, tap-only controls for steady hands, colorblind-friendly shapes, and softer effects for light-sensitive days. • A stretch check-in that gently suggests a break after a while — because a game made for your wellbeing shouldn't pretend time doesn't pass. A REAL GAME, TOO 54 handcrafted levels across six dreamlike worlds, ice and stone puzzles, line blasters, bombs and rainbow gems, chunky satisfying combos, an endless Rift for when you want depth, a prize lantern, and eight cosmetic gem skins. All music and sound is gentle and original. OUR PROMISES Nothing in Soothe Quest punishes you for resting. There are no expiring rewards, no fear-of-missing-out events, and no ads. Your progress stays on your device. Soothe Quest is free to play. An optional Soothe Plus subscription ($3.99/month or $34.99/year after a 7-day free trial) adds comfort perks like unlimited lives. Optional one-time purchases are available. Everything essential is free. Soothe Quest is a wellness and entertainment app, not medical care. From the author of The Resilient Path — learn more at brewsterwickershampublications.com. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Calcudoku4 screens
SootheQuest4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Calcudoku at none against SootheQuest's 2. SootheQuest's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 2 months). On price, rating, ratings volume 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. SootheQuest sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Calcudoku asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Calcudoku against 5.0 for SootheQuest. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Calcudoku ships an update every 2 months, SootheQuest every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Calcudoku versus SootheQuest: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCalcudokuSootheQuest
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Number of ratings22
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size104 MB9 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperLogicSmithWickersham Development Group, LLC

Customer experience

Calcudoku

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

SootheQuest

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Calcudoku

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

SootheQuest

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$34.991 Year

Questions

Is Calcudoku free?
Calcudoku is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SootheQuest free?
SootheQuest is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Calcudoku or SootheQuest?
Calcudoku and SootheQuest are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do Calcudoku or SootheQuest have ads?
Calcudoku shows ads; SootheQuest does not.
Which is updated more often, Calcudoku or SootheQuest?
Calcudoku ships an update every 2 months, and SootheQuest every 8 days. Most recently, Calcudoku was updated on October 19, 2026 and SootheQuest on October 15, 2026.

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