Comparison

Synonymy Lite vs Synonym Swap

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

Head to head
About

Synonymy Lite

This educational word game challenges you to find a path between random words by navigating through their synonyms. It features narration by Richard Dawkins and a unique word network visualization. The lite version offers an ad-free experience with some restrictions.

Highlights
  • Synonym pathfinding gameplay
  • Narration by Richard Dawkins
  • Word network visualization
  • Ad-free experience
  • Charitable donations
Features
Read full description

Synonymy is a non-profit, educational word game narrated by Richard Dawkins that challenges players to find a path between random words through their network of synonyms. By taking the synonym of a word, and then a synonym of that synonym, and so on, you can ultimately arrive at any other word in the English language. Version 3.0 has been rebuilt behind the scenes to make the game easier and more fun without sacrificing the spirit of the game. The lite version now has no external ads, just a pop-up prompt to buy the full version. Website: www.synonymy-game.com ————————————————— Try the game Stephen Fry and Steven Pinker are tweeting about! A lite version of the game with ads and restrictions on multiplayer and difficulty settings. The Full Game supports unrestricted multiplayer, and weekly challenges in which users can compete globally on set start and end words. Every time a path is uncovered by a user, it is tweeted from @synonymywords and posted to our Facebook page. Synonymy is the first game by filmmaker Christopher Cinq-Mars Jarvis and is narrated by world-renowned author and biologist, Richard Dawkins. All profits go to various charitable, education-based foundations. ** Works best using iPhone 5/iPad 2 or later and iOS8 or later. Requires iOS7 or later. The game seems to work on older devices but performance might suffer. Please address any concerns to www.synonymy-game.com/#contact A visualization of the game's network can be seen here -- http://www.gigapan.com/gigapans/159329 -- In order to compute relative distance, all synonyms were mapped using 3d graphing software, as if each word were a planet that had a gravitational pull proportional to its number of relationships to other nodes. Above is a 2D representation of that model, a 40,000 x 40,000 image.

About

Synonym Swap

A word game where players find rhyming synonyms for given hints to solve puzzles. Offers numerous levels, a daily challenge, and achievements to keep players engaged. Play at your own pace with no time limits.

Highlights
  • Rhyming synonym puzzles
  • Numerous levels
  • No time limit
  • Unlockable achievements
  • Daily puzzles
  • Progress saving
Features
Read full description

Welcome to Synonym Swap, the ultimate word game that will challenge your vocabulary and sharpen your linguistic skills! Join Swapper the sloth on a fun-filled journey where you'll tackle puzzles by finding rhyming synonyms for given hints. Perfect for word enthusiasts of all ages, Synonym Swap offers endless hours of puzzles and entertainment. Instructions: Synonym Swap is a word game where we give you two words, and you must figure out the rhyming synonyms of both hints to uncover the answer. Gameplay: This game is designed to help you expand your vocabulary and enhance your knowledge. Features: Levels: Dive into numerous levels that keep you engaged and continuously learning. Each level presents new challenges and new words to master. No Time Limit: Enjoy the game at your own pace. There's no rush, so take your time to think and find the right words. Achievements: Stay motivated with a range of achievements to unlock as you progress through the game. Every correct answer brings you closer to the next milestone. Log In: Save your progress and share your achievements with friends by logging in. You can also play anonymously if you prefer. Daily Puzzle: Test your skills with a new puzzle every day! Solve the daily challenge for a chance to win a free life and keep the fun going. Join the fun! Create an account to start collecting achievements, or jump right into the action and play anonymously. With Synonym Swap, every word you discover and every puzzle you solve brings you one step closer to becoming a word master. Download Synonym Swap today and embark on an exciting word adventure with Swapper the sloth!

Screenshots

Synonymy Lite4 screens
Synonym Swap4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Synonymy Lite at 5.0 against Synonym Swap's 4.0. Synonymy Lite also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). Synonym Swap's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 5 months) and review sentiment (60% vs 50%). On price, 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. Synonym Swap sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Synonymy Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Synonymy Lite holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 8 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Synonymy Lite's written reviews are positive against 60% of Synonym Swap's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Synonymy Lite ships an update every 5 months, Synonym Swap every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Synonymy Lite versus Synonym Swap: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSynonymy LiteSynonym Swap
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (7 ratings) — better4.0 (8 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews60.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings78 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS6.0 — better13.4
Further details — not scored
Size105 MB63 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCinq-Mars MediaAvery Kovatch

Customer experience

Synonymy Lite

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral6.3%
Negative43.8%

Synonym Swap

All ratings8 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

In-app purchases

None

Synonymy Lite

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Synonym Swap

One-time2
  • 3 Lives$0.99
  • 21 Lives$4.99

Questions

Is Synonymy Lite free?
Synonymy Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Synonym Swap free?
Synonym Swap is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Synonymy Lite or Synonym Swap?
Synonymy Lite is rated higher. Synonymy Lite averages 5.0 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Synonym Swap averages 4.0 from 8 ratings.
Do Synonymy Lite or Synonym Swap have ads?
Synonym Swap shows ads; Synonymy Lite does not.
Which is updated more often, Synonymy Lite or Synonym Swap?
Synonymy Lite ships an update every 5 months, and Synonym Swap every 6 weeks. Most recently, Synonymy Lite was updated on November 5, 2026 and Synonym Swap on October 30, 2026.

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