Comparison

The Guides vs Cipherhack

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

Head to head
About

The Guides

Embark on a journey of challenging codes, puzzles, and interactive ciphers that test your wit and imagination. Unravel a fragmented story by finding clues and patterns, utilizing integrated decoding tools and a distress support system.

Highlights
  • Hundreds of challenging codes and puzzles
  • Interactive ciphers
  • Fragmented story to unravel
  • Integrated decoding tools (Morse, binary)
  • Screenshot saving for clues
  • Distress support system
Features
Read full description

Featured by Apple in: 15 Most Mind-Bending Puzzlers, 15 Most Mysterious Games, The Best Games You’ve Never Played, Challenge Your Brain, Best New Games * * * * * “Best Mobile Games of 2015” — CNET “Best iOS Games of 2015” — Apple ‘N’ Apps “Best One Handed Mobile Games for Long Commutes” — Appcessories * * * * * Consisting of hundreds of extremely challenging codes, puzzles and interactive ciphers, The Guides is a journey that will challenge your wit, stretch your imagination and test your ingenuity in unique and innovative ways. Simply stated, they’re not easy. Progressing will be difficult, but you have the appropriate tools at your disposal. Everything you need to proceed is — or has been — provided. Look for clues and patterns to build on what you have learned. Remember what you have seen as for no detail is too subtle or insignificant. As you explore deeper, you’ll begin to unravel the enigma of The Guides. Peculiar, isn't it? • • • • • • • "From the word 'Go'... it tells you nothing. And you have to work it out for yourself. And that, my friends, that is cool." James Gilmour for App Spy "The Guides gets under your skin... you’ll find yourself thinking about it outside of the game and coming back for more." Jennifer Allen for 148apps "The Guides is one of the year’s most interesting puzzle games. It’s a beautifully designed toy box filled with an enormous variety of code-breaking ciphers and visual riddles..." Owen Faraday for Pocket Tactics "It's brilliant, uncompromising, satisfying, and one of the best games I have ever played on my phone... quite possibly on any platform." chanandler of App Army for Pocket Gamer • • • • • • • • Four Sections and 100 pages embedded with countless challenges. • Meticulously designed interactive puzzles and ciphers with each being more unique than the last. • Piece together the fragmented story to reveal the source of the messages. • Various game mechanics such as the code interface screen and the title bar to provide added layers of support. • Integrated decoding tools — including morse, binary and many more — to assist you on your journey. • Ability to save screenshots to keep track of invaluable clues and notes. • A distress support system is available if you find yourself stuck, but use sparingly, for your transmissions are limited. Official Site: theguidesapp.com General Inquiries: info@theguidesapp.com Twitter: twitter.com/theguidesapp Facebook: fb.com/theguidesapp Instagram: instagram.com/theguidesapp

About

Cipherhack

Embark on a code-breaking adventure solving intricate puzzles and cracking complex encryption methods. Unravel mysterious messages and challenge your intellect with a variety of classic and modern ciphers. Become a master of ciphers in this addictive and immersive puzzle game.

Highlights
  • Solve intricate puzzles
  • Crack complex encryption methods
  • Master classic and modern ciphers
  • Unravel mysterious messages
  • Captivating gameplay
  • Intriguing storyline
Features
Read full description

Cipherhack is an exhilarating puzzle game that will put your code-breaking skills to the test! Embark on an epic adventure as you delve into the enigmatic world of ciphers and secret codes. Solve intricate puzzles, crack complex encryption methods, and unravel mysterious messages hidden throughout the game. Challenge your intellect with a wide range of ciphers, including classic ciphers like Caesar and Vigenère, as well as modern encryption algorithms. Use your analytical skills and logic to decipher encrypted texts, break secret codes, and unlock hidden chambers to progress further in the game. With its captivating gameplay, stunning visuals, and an intriguing storyline, Cipherhack offers an addictive and immersive experience for puzzle enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone who loves the thrill of cracking codes. Are you ready to embark on this mind-bending adventure and become the ultimate master of ciphers? Download the game now and test your code-breaking prowess! Embark on a cipher-solving adventure that will test the limits of your intellect and intuition. Imagine yourself as a cipher master, diving headfirst into a world where every cryptogram game is a gateway to untold secrets. This is not just any puzzle adventure; it's an encryption puzzle game that will challenge even the most seasoned code-breaker. As you begin, you find yourself facing a series of code-breaking puzzles, each more intricate than the last. With every cipher puzzle you unravel, you inch closer to becoming a true code master. The thrill of the chase is palpable as you transition from a novice secret code solver to an adept decipher mystery aficionado. Your journey is filled with mind-bending puzzles that weave a narrative of intrigue and suspense. Each secret code puzzle is a piece of a larger narrative, waiting for a sharp encryption solver to reveal its hidden message. You are not just playing a brain game; you are unraveling a story written in the language of secrecy and strategy. As you progress, you become more than just a puzzle solver; you transform into a master cipher, capable of understanding the most complex of codes. The code adventure you embarked on becomes a testament to your perseverance and ingenuity. Your ability to navigate through this labyrinth of language and logic is nothing short of remarkable. With every cryptogram solver's success, the sense of accomplishment grows. Each code-breaker challenge is a step towards the ultimate goal: to stand at the pinnacle of puzzle solving, where only the finest minds dare to tread. So, gather your wits and prepare for a secret code adventure like no other. It's time to prove that you have what it takes to crack the code, solve the cipher, and emerge victorious in this thrilling encryption puzzle game. The adventure awaits, and only the most dedicated code-breaker will emerge victorious. Will you rise to the challenge and claim the title of the ultimate cipher puzzle champion? Do you have what it takes to solve cipher after cipher, to break through the layers of complexity that guard their secrets? This is not just any encryption game; it is a code-breaking challenge that will demand your utmost attention and ingenuity. Only the most dedicated will emerge victorious in this cipher-cracking game. Prepare your mind for an experience like no other, where each cipher-solving moment brings you closer to becoming a master of the codes. With every success, the satisfaction of deciphering the undecipherable will fuel your desire for more. Join now and take your place among the elite in this ultimate test of cerebral strength. The cipher-solving journey awaits. Your intellect will be tested with decryption puzzles that twist and turn, beckoning you to unravel their secrets. These ciphers are not for the faint-hearted; they are a cipher challenge designed to push your problem-solving skills to their limits. You will be drawn deeper into the enigmatic realm of the cipher-solving game.

Screenshots

The Guides4 screens
Cipherhack4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: The Guides at 88% against Cipherhack's 0%. The Guides also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). Cipherhack's advantage is price (Free vs $2.99). On update cadence, ads 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

Cipherhack is free to download; The Guides costs $2.99 up front. Cipherhack sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. The Guides asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

The Guides holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: The Guides has 731 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of The Guides's written reviews are positive against 0% of Cipherhack's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Guides ships an update every 4 months, Cipherhack every 3 months. Both last shipped on September 22, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
The Guides versus Cipherhack: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe GuidesCipherhack
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (731 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews87.7% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings731 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better11.0
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer2 Fountains LLCFarid Fakhnavar

Customer experience

The Guides

All ratings731 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral0.5%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews219 reviews
Positive87.7%
Neutral4.1%
Negative8.2%

Cipherhack

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

The Guides

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Puzzle solutions not being accepted correctly
  • App crashes or freezes when switching between puzzles

Requested features

3 requests
  • More frequent updates and new content
  • Improved UI and accessibility options
  • Hint system or gradual difficulty scaling

Cipherhack

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

The Guides

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Cipherhack

One-time1
  • Premium$2.99

Questions

Is The Guides free?
The Guides costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cipherhack free?
Cipherhack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, The Guides or Cipherhack?
The Guides is rated higher. The Guides averages 4.8 out of 5 from 731 ratings, while Cipherhack averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do The Guides or Cipherhack have ads?
Neither The Guides nor Cipherhack shows ads.
Which is updated more often, The Guides or Cipherhack?
The Guides ships an update every 4 months, and Cipherhack every 3 months. Most recently, The Guides was updated on September 22, 2026 and Cipherhack on September 22, 2026.

Other comparisons