Cat vs RootWords
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Cat
Engage in a word ladder game inspired by Lewis Carroll's invention. Change one letter at a time to transform a starting word into a target word, guided by delightful images. Offers nearly 2000 images for learning spelling or enjoying puzzles.
- Word ladder gameplay
- Image guides
- Spelling practice
- Puzzle experience
- Nearly 2000 images
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Lewis Carroll invented the word ladder game in 1877. The idea is to take one word, and, changing one letter at a time, arrive at a second word. For example, going from cat to dog like this: cat -> cOt -> coG -> Dog. Cat-Dog takes you on a delightful stroll in word-land with interesting pictures as guides. Play it to learn how to spell, or simply to enjoy the puzzle experience and the close to 2000 images.
RootWords
This word game helps users expand their vocabulary by building words from root components. It offers a fun way to learn word meanings and improve reading skills, beneficial for standardized tests and general language learning.
- Build words from root components
- Learn word meanings
- Improve vocabulary
- Enhance reading skills
- Test preparation aid
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RootWords is a fast word game based on root words. Choose a root, spin as many words as you can and show you know their meaning. Don’t know the word? Tap the parts, they each have meaning and will help you learn the word. The more you play, the fewer times you will need to tap the parts. Good for SSAT, PSAT, SAT, ACT, LSAT, MCAT, IELTS tests and ELL in general. RootWords is good for all learners really. Your score will soar! Improve your vocabulary, your reading skills, your job prospects!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: RootWords at Free against Cat's $0.99. RootWords also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 54 months) and ratings volume (4 vs 1). Cat's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.0). On ads, in-app purchases, 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
RootWords is free to download; Cat costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Cat holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 4 respectively.
Cat ships an update every 54 months, RootWords monthly. The most recent releases landed on July 4, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Cat | RootWords |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 4.0 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 4 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 54 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 25 MB | 35 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | NC2 | Charlotte OConnell |
Customer experience
Cat
RootWords
In-app purchases
Cat
No in-app purchases
RootWords
No in-app purchases
