# Crossword Puzzle Maker vs Bench Reference

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Bench Reference at 100% against Crossword Puzzle Maker's 39%. Bench Reference also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.4) and update cadence (weekly vs every 6 months). Crossword Puzzle Maker's advantage is ratings volume (45 vs 2) and device support (3 vs 1). On ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Crossword Puzzle Maker costs $3.99 and Bench Reference $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Bench Reference holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Crossword Puzzle Maker has 45 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 39% of Crossword Puzzle Maker's written reviews are positive against 100% of Bench Reference's.

Crossword Puzzle Maker ships an update every 6 months, Bench Reference weekly. Both last shipped on October 12, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Crossword Puzzle Maker | Bench Reference |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$3.99** | $4.99 |
| Rating | [3.4 (45 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-puzzle-maker/id991624308/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bench-reference/id6757015545/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **45** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 39.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Size | 24 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.1** | 26.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Kwok Leung](https://appshunter.io/developer/922754482) | [Aaron brown](https://appshunter.io/developer/1864220001) |

## What reviewers say

### Crossword Puzzle Maker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-puzzle-maker/id991624308)

Easily create custom crossword puzzles with a title, answers, and clues. Personalize your puzzles with beautiful typefaces, backgrounds, and gradients. Save, edit, and share your creations as PDFs or PNGs.

**Highlights:** Automatic crossword generation, Customizable typeface and background, Save and edit past puzzles, Auto-save latest puzzle, Vector graphics support (PDF), Share as PDF or PNG

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Bench Reference

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bench-reference/id6757015545)

This professional jeweler's reference guide provides comprehensive information on gemstones, metals, and bench techniques. It includes calculators for pricing, measurements, and 3D printing, along with a personal library and learning tools. Essential for jewelers needing quick access to data and procedures without an internet connection.

**Highlights:** Gemstone and material reference, Bench technique guides, Metal properties and working notes, Repair procedures, Measurement and data conversions, Professional calculators, Personal library system

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Crossword Puzzle Maker free?

Crossword Puzzle Maker costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Bench Reference free?

Bench Reference costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Crossword Puzzle Maker or Bench Reference?

Bench Reference is rated higher. Crossword Puzzle Maker averages 3.4 out of 5 from 45 ratings, while Bench Reference averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Crossword Puzzle Maker or Bench Reference have ads?

Neither Crossword Puzzle Maker nor Bench Reference shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Crossword Puzzle Maker or Bench Reference?

Crossword Puzzle Maker ships an update every 6 months, and Bench Reference weekly. Most recently, Crossword Puzzle Maker was updated on October 12, 2026 and Bench Reference on October 12, 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.*