# Pythagorea vs Cracking the Cryptic

The clearest difference is rating: Pythagorea at 4.8 against Cracking the Cryptic's 4.4. Pythagorea also leads on review sentiment (94% vs 72%) and ratings volume (1K vs 208). Cracking the Cryptic's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pythagorea sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Pythagorea holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1K and 208 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 94% of Pythagorea's written reviews are positive against 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's.

Pythagorea ships an update every 2 months, Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 14, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pythagorea | Cracking the Cryptic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pythagorea/id994864779/reviews)** | [4.4 (208 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1K** | 208 |
| Positive reviews | **94.4% of reviews** | 72.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 91 MB | 234 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [HORIS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/646324304) | [Nick Carney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434235673) |

## What reviewers say

### Pythagorea

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pythagorea/id994864779)

Explore geometry through engaging puzzles on a squared grid. Solve over 350 tasks across 28 subjects, with over 70 terms defined in an accessible glossary. This app offers a friendly interface to train your mind and imagination.

**Highlights:** Over 350 geometric tasks, 28 subjects to explore, 70+ geometric terms glossary, Intuitive construction tools, Focus on natural laws, regularity, and symmetry, Friendly interface

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Thanks to developers | $0.99 | one-time |
| Many thanks to developers | $4.99 | one-time |
| Many, many thanks to developers | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Engaging and fun puzzle game
- 💡 Challenging yet educational geometry puzzles
- 🚀 No ads or in-app purchases
- 🧠 Helps improve geometry and spatial skills
- 👍 Enjoyable for all ages

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Some puzzles may have unclear or incorrect instructions
- 💡 Lack of progress tracking or ability to skip puzzles
- 💡 No in-app solutions or hints when stuck
- 💡 Limited zoom functionality makes some puzzles difficult

**Reported bugs**

- Certain puzzles (e.g. 10.29) may have bugs in solution checking
- Compatibility issues on some older devices

**Requested features**

- Add progress tracking and ability to resume games
- Provide solutions or hints for puzzles
- Improve puzzle instructions and clarity
- Implement zoom functionality for better visibility


### 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 Pythagorea free?

Pythagorea is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Cracking the Cryptic free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Pythagorea or Cracking the Cryptic?

Pythagorea is rated higher. Pythagorea averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 from 208 ratings.

### Do Pythagorea or Cracking the Cryptic have ads?

Neither Pythagorea nor Cracking the Cryptic shows ads.

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

Pythagorea ships an update every 2 months, and Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. Most recently, Pythagorea was updated on October 14, 2026 and Cracking the Cryptic on October 14, 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.*