Sherlock ZEN vs Codenames
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sherlock ZEN
Engage your mind with logic puzzles that challenge you to deduce the placement of images on a grid. Solve thousands of unique puzzles across various sizes using graphical clues to uncover hidden arrangements.
- Logic grid puzzles
- Deduce image locations
- Graphical clues
- Multiple grid sizes (4x4, 5x5, 6x6)
- 150,000 unique puzzles
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Sherlock is a computerized version of logic puzzles, where you're presented with a series of clues that help you determine the exact locations of all the images on the playing board. The puzzles are all 4x4, 5x5 or 6x6. Each row of the puzzle contains images of the same type (faces, houses, numbers, fruit, street signs, letters, etc). The game scrambles the locations of the items in each row (without showing you their locations) and then presents to you a set of graphical clues that describe the positional relationships of different images. You use the clues to deduce where things can't be (and where they HAVE to be) until you know where all of the images are located. 50,000 puzzles in each size for a total of 150,000 puzzles! The puzzles in the Free, Pro, Ultra, and Zen versions of the game are all unique, the four versions of the game share NO common puzzles.
Codenames
Engage in a strategic word game of deduction and teamwork. Give one-word clues to help your team guess associated words before the opposing team. Enjoy a blend of casual fun and deep thinking with turn-based multiplayer matches.
- Turn-based multiplayer
- One-word clue system
- Teamwork and deduction
- Multiple game modes
- Spymaster and Operative roles
- Logic and creativity challenges
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Codenames is available in ENGLISH, GERMAN, FRENCH, ARABIC, ITALIAN, PORTUGUESE, SPANISH, and CZECH. Codenames is a clever word game of deduction, teamwork, and strategy, inspired by the popular board game loved worldwide. Give one-word clues, link multiple words, and read your teammates’ minds to win before the other team does. Easy to learn, hard to master Codenames is simple to understand and instantly rewarding. Every match tests your logic, creativity, and intuition — a perfect blend of casual fun and deep thinking. Play at your own pace Turn-based matches let you play whenever you want, as much as you want. Start several games at once and return when it’s your turn — perfect for busy players. Smart fun for sharp minds If you enjoy games that make you think, this is for you. Every clue and guess matters — there’s no autoplay, no idle waiting, just pure wordplay and deduction. Why players love Codenames • Turn-based multiplayer — play with friends or online opponents. • Based on a beloved board game concept: give one-word clues, guess multiple words. • Exclusive twists and new game modes available exclusively in this version. • Choose your role — Spymaster or Operative — and master both perspectives. • One-time purchase unlocks a full experience — no freemium grind, no intrusive ads—just the pure enjoyment for the price of a cup of coffee for the dev team. Join millions of players and test how well you can get into the minds of others. Download Codenames today — the top multiplayer word game for clever thinkers.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Codenames at 4.7 against Sherlock ZEN's 4.1. Codenames also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 13 months) and ratings volume (1.1K vs 48). Sherlock ZEN's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). On review sentiment, ads, in-app purchases 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
Sherlock ZEN costs $5.99 and Codenames $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Codenames holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Codenames has 1.1K ratings behind it against 48, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 74% of Sherlock ZEN's written reviews are positive against 66% of Codenames's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Sherlock ZEN ships an update every 13 months, Codenames fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sherlock ZEN | Codenames |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 | $4.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.1 (48 ratings) | 4.7 (1.1K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 73.5% of reviews — better | 66.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 48 | 1.1K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 13 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #12 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 15 MB | 221 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Everett Kaser Software | CGE Digital s.r.o. |
Customer experience
Sherlock ZEN
Codenames
Bugs and requests
Sherlock ZEN
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Codenames
Reported bugs
2 issues- Initial launch with only Czech language support
- Occasional app crashes and server disconnections
Requested features
5 requests- Add Codenames Duet mode
- Implement AI/bot players for faster games
- Allow custom word packs and themes
- Add a 'speed mode' for faster gameplay
- Improve the jury system to maintain game integrity
In-app purchases
Sherlock ZEN
No in-app purchases
Codenames
No in-app purchases









