Comparison

Codewords vs Crossword Unlimited

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

Head to head
About

Codewords

Engage your mind with unique crossword puzzles where letters are replaced by numbers. Solve the code by deducing which number represents which letter to complete the grid. Perfect for a quick mental workout.

Highlights
  • Number-to-letter decoding
  • 900 complete puzzles
  • Zooming grid
  • Cheats and answer checking
  • Landscape mode
Features
Read full description

Codeword puzzles to keep you busy during coffee break. This full version has 1000+ puzzles. Codewords are crossword puzzles with a twist - there are no clues. Instead, each letter A-Z is represented by a random number 1-26, with the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle. All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number. For example, all the 1's may be T's, all the 2's E's and so on. You are given some letters to help start off. All the letters A-Z are present in the early puzzles, with one number for each letter (later puzzles don't necessarily have all 26 letters in the grid). The codewords grid is displayed in full. If you are really stuck then you can reveal a letter. A great way to while away your commute! Features: - zooming grid - cheats and answer checking - landscape mode Also known as Enigma Code, Code Breaker, Cipher crosswords, Code Crackers and Kaidoku. If you're after a bigger challenge, try our Crossword apps - casual, cryptic and US style versions are available.

About

Crossword Unlimited

Enjoy an endless supply of custom-made crossword puzzles. Configure grid size, difficulty, and clue types to match your preferences. Save and reload games, and utilize helpful aids to solve challenging crosswords in multiple languages.

Highlights
  • Unlimited custom crossword generation
  • Configurable grid size and difficulty
  • Three crossword grid types (British, Barred, Arrow)
  • Tailored puzzles based on interests and ability
  • Zoom and pan for easy navigation
  • Save and reload multiple games
  • Multiple language support
Features
Read full description

Play an unlimited number of tailor-made crossword puzzles!! Features: • Each new game is created by the app automatically • Very configurable game generator. You decide the grid size, difficulty and many other things • Many 1000's of clues • You can choose from three different types of crossword grid: British, Barred and Arrow • Generate crosswords tailored to your interests, ability, nationality and device size • You can zoom in & out of the grid, and move around. Play with large grids on small screens! • Ability to save games and reload games. Play many games at once, just like a crossword book! • Many aids to help you complete the crossword • Play crosswords in these languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, Polish, Hungarian, Czech, Russian

Screenshots

Codewords3 screens
Crossword Unlimited4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Codewords at none against Crossword Unlimited's shown. Codewords also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (77% vs 50%). Crossword Unlimited's advantage is ratings volume (3.1K vs 85) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 9 months). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. Codewords sells 11 one-off in-app purchases and Crossword Unlimited sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Codewords holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Crossword Unlimited has 3.1K ratings behind it against 85, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Codewords's written reviews are positive against 50% of Crossword Unlimited's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Codewords ships an update every 9 months, Crossword Unlimited every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Codewords versus Crossword Unlimited: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCodewordsCrossword Unlimited
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (85 ratings) — better4.4 (3.1K ratings)
Positive reviews76.9% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings853.1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB103 MB
Age rating4++9
DeveloperTeazelHavos

Customer experience

Codewords

All ratings83 ratings
Positive96.4%
Neutral3.6%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews39 reviews
Positive76.9%
Neutral10.3%
Negative12.8%

Crossword Unlimited

All ratings3,049 ratings
Positive84.2%
Neutral9.1%
Negative6.8%
Written reviews226 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral13.3%
Negative36.7%

Bugs and requests

Codewords

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Crossword Unlimited

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Keyboard disappearing
  • Restore purchase feature not working
  • Puzzle grid not fitting screen properly
  • Incorrect answers for sports/geography clues

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to skip puzzles
  • More localized clues and answers
  • Improved keyboard/navigation
  • Panic button to exit puzzles

In-app purchases

11 purchases

Codewords

One-time11
  • pack of Codewords (Pack 1)$0.99
  • pack of Codewords (Pack 2)$0.99
  • pack of Codewords (Pack 3)$0.99
Show 8 more
  • pack of Codewords (Pack 4)$0.99
  • pack of Codewords (Pack 5)$0.99
  • pack of Codewords (Pack 6)$0.99
  • pack of Codewords (Pack 7)$0.99
  • pack of Codewords (Pack 9)$0.99
  • pack of Codewords (Pack 10)$0.99
  • pack of Codewords (Pack 11)$0.99
  • full set of Codewords packs$2.99
1 purchases

Crossword Unlimited

Subscriptions1
  • Supporter (no ads)$4.991 Year

Questions

Is Codewords free?
Codewords is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Crossword Unlimited free?
Crossword Unlimited is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Codewords or Crossword Unlimited?
Codewords is rated higher. Codewords averages 4.8 out of 5 from 85 ratings, while Crossword Unlimited averages 4.4 from 3.1K ratings.
Do Codewords or Crossword Unlimited have ads?
Crossword Unlimited shows ads; Codewords does not.
Which is updated more often, Codewords or Crossword Unlimited?
Codewords ships an update every 9 months, and Crossword Unlimited every 3 months. Most recently, Codewords was updated on October 29, 2026 and Crossword Unlimited on October 29, 2026.

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