Crossword Puzzle Redstone is a high-utility mobile application providing thousands of professionally constructed puzzles for free, without a subscription. It targets crossword enthusiasts by offering content from industry leaders and independent constructors, positioning itself as a high-quality alternative to legacy newspaper apps. Its primary differentiator is the combination of professional-grade content, offline accessibility, and advanced solving assistance like 'Smart Look Up'.
Product velocity
Maintenance
Daily rank 🇺🇸
#134
▲3Games · free
Sentiment
4.8
111k reviews
Nemesis
NYT Games: Wordle & Crossword
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
For Casual to enthusiast crossword solvers who value professional construction quality and a free, offline-capable solving experience.
What does it look like?
Key features
Access to puzzles from industry-leading and independent constructors published in major newspapers.
Provides word suggestions for difficult clues to assist solvers.
Full puzzle solving capabilities without an active internet connection.
Includes multi-word entry hints, smart step navigation, and cell locking.
How much does it cost?
The app uses a zero-friction model to compete directly with the NYT's subscription-gated archive, relying on high content volume to drive retention.
Velocity
Maintenance developmentperformanceShow more...
The app has provided no release notes for its most recent version, and the lack of historical data prevents the identification of a development cadence. Without evidence of new features or significant changes, the app appears to be in maintenance mode. Development momentum cannot be assessed as active or steady due to the absence of documented feature releases.
Who built it?
REDSTONE GAMES LTDA
2 apps tracked · Games
Palavras Cruzadas - PortuguêsUser Sentiment
What do users think recently?
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
Not enough recent reviews to extract reliable themes yet.
Read the full review analysisCompetition
Competitive landscape for Crossword Puzzle Redstone
How's the Games market?
The rivals identified
By The New York Times Company
The definitive market leader for high-quality editorial crosswords, operating at a similar scale with a highly active release cadence.
- Ecosystem play: Bundles the crossword with viral hits like Wordle, Connections, and Spelling Bee to drive daily retention.
- Subscription-first model: Unlike Redstone's free approach, NYT gates its archive and premium puzzles behind a recurring paywall.
- Editorial prestige: Features puzzles from world-renowned constructors, positioning it as the 'professional' standard vs. Redstone's indie-friendly library.
CodyCross: Crossword PuzzlesContender
Crosswords With FriendsContender
Daily Themed Crossword PuzzlesContender
Crossword ExplorerContenderUnlock the head-to-head verdict: where this rival wins, and where it loses.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Crossword Puzzle Redstone
Where is it heading?
- v1.7.4 updated April 2026 — active maintenance and UI improvements indicate ongoing investment.
- 4.77 rating with 111k+ reviews — demonstrates high user satisfaction and significant market scale.
- Recent updates focused on content expansion and bug fixes, with no major new feature categories added.
The SWOT
- High-quality content from pro constructors (NYT/WSJ level)
- Strong market validation (4.77 rating, 111k+ reviews)
- Advanced solving assistance (Smart Look Up)
- Full offline functionality
- Implement daily streak mechanics to increase retention
- Add social leaderboards to compete with Zynga
- Market the 'Indie Constructor' focus as a unique brand identity
Next best moves
Implement a 'Daily Streak' mechanic
+ 2 more prioritized movesFeature gaps
Daily Streak/Habit Loops (available in NYT Games) +3
Bottom line
Redstone's 'Free/No Subscription' model is its strongest weapon against NYT's paywall, but it risks losing users to more 'sticky' ecosystems. To win, Redstone must bridge the gap between utility and habit-forming social/streak mechanics without sacrificing its clean, accessible UI.
Unlock 3 critical frictions, 3 market threats, 2 more prioritized moves and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Crossword Puzzle Redstone good for beginners?
How does Redstone Crossword compare to the NYT Games app?
Can I play Redstone Crossword puzzles without an internet connection?
What is a good alternative for social crossword play?
Report last updated