# Hex Touch vs Cracking the Cryptic

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Cracking the Cryptic at 72% against Hex Touch's 17%. Cracking the Cryptic also leads on rating (4.4 vs 3.6) and ads (none vs shown). Hex Touch's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Hex Touch asks for nothing beyond the download.

Cracking the Cryptic holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cracking the Cryptic has 208 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of Hex Touch's written reviews are positive against 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's.

Hex Touch ships an update every 9 months, Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 9, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hex Touch | Cracking the Cryptic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.6 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hex-touch/id928860200/reviews) | **[4.4 (208 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **208** |
| Positive reviews | 17.2% of reviews | **72.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 6 MB | 234 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kevin White](https://appshunter.io/developer/317741855) | [Nick Carney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434235673) |

## What reviewers say

### Hex Touch

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hex-touch/id928860200)

A two-player abstract strategy board game where players aim to connect opposite sides of a hexagonal board with their chosen color. The game guarantees a winner, as a chain must form by the time all cells are colored.

**Highlights:** Two-player gameplay, Hexagonal board, Connect opposite sides, Abstract strategy, Guaranteed winner

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Cracking the Cryptic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934)

This app offers a curated collection of handcrafted Sudoku puzzles from world-renowned constructors. Explore classic and unique variants, with new puzzle packs released regularly. A free introductory pack is included with download.

**Highlights:** Handcrafted Sudoku puzzles, Curated by expert constructors, Classic and unique variants, Regularly released puzzle packs, Free introductory puzzle pack

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CTC Worms - James Sinclair | $0.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Marty Sears | $0.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Zetamath | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Blobz | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Michael Lefkowitz | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Phistomefel | $1.99 | one-time |
| GAS Volume #1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| GAS Volume #2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| CTC Approachable Sudoku #1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Domino Sudoku Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Lines Variety Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Classic Volume #2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| CTC Fog Pack #1 | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Best sudoku app
- 👍 Great variety of puzzles
- 👍 Excellent user interface
- 👍 Challenging and fun puzzles
- 👍 Constant updates with new puzzles

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Hints are often incorrect or unhelpful
- 🐛 Bugs and crashes, especially after updates
- 🔋 Battery draining issues
- 🔒 Too many in-app purchases required to access content

**Reported bugs**

- Puzzle progress and purchases disappearing after updates
- Incorrect rules or hints in certain puzzles
- Crashes and freezes, especially on older devices or Macs
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between portrait and landscape modes

**Requested features**

- Add more color options for pencil marking and highlighting
- Implement a way to clear progress or start puzzles from scratch
- Integrate all CTC apps into a single app for better organization
- Add keyboard support, especially on Mac
- Improve the quality and clarity of hints


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hex Touch free?

Hex Touch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Cracking the Cryptic free?

Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Hex Touch or Cracking the Cryptic?

Cracking the Cryptic is rated higher. Hex Touch averages 3.6 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 from 208 ratings.

### Do Hex Touch or Cracking the Cryptic have ads?

Hex Touch shows ads; Cracking the Cryptic does not.

### Which is updated more often, Hex Touch or Cracking the Cryptic?

Hex Touch ships an update every 9 months, and Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. Most recently, Hex Touch was updated on June 9, 2026 and Cracking the Cryptic on September 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*