| Core Identity |
| Developer | PeopleFun CG, LLC | Easybrain Ltd | Brainium Studios LLC | Oakever Games | Easybrain Ltd | Fanatee | MobilityWare |
| Category | Games | Games | Games | Puzzle | Games | Games | Games |
| Platform | iOS, Android | iOS | Android, iOS | Android | iOS, Android | Android, iOS | iOS, Android |
| Store Metrics |
| Rating | 4.8 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Ratings Count | 651,692 | 1,816,450 | 160,786 | 2,942,659 | 190,336 | 283,379 | 33,840 |
| Price | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Release Date | May 7, 2010 | Mar 30, 2017 | Feb 11, 2011 | Jul 27, 2018 | Mar 8, 2019 | Mar 8, 2017 | May 20, 2020 |
| Last Updated | Apr 30, 2026 | Mar 24, 2026 | Mar 25, 2026 | Apr 16, 2026 | Feb 23, 2026 | May 5, 2026 | Mar 11, 2026 |
| Sentiment & Reviews |
| Sentiment | negative | negative | - | mixed | negative | mixed | mixed |
| Score | 35/100 | 22/100 | - | 57/100 | 35/100 | 35/100 | 55/100 |
| Praises | - Long-term engagement with the core puzzle mechanics keeps veteran players returning for years
| | - | - Mental Stimulation & Brain Training
| - Core Gameplay Enjoyment
- Relaxing Experience
| - Educational crossword mechanics provide a relaxing and mentally stimulating daily habit for long-term players
| - Engaging Gameplay
- Visual Design
|
| Complaints | - Aggressive mid-game video advertisements interrupt the flow and concentration required for complex puzzle solving
| - Excessive Ad Frequency
- Malicious Ad Content
| - | - Intrusive & Deceptive Advertising
- Battery Drain & Overheating
| - Excessive Advertising
- UI/UX Limitations
| - Aggressive ad frequency and intrusive ad behavior disrupt the core gameplay loop post-update
| - Aggressive/Broken Ads
- Lack of Ad-Free Option
|
| Requests | - Paid ad-free experience or alternative monetization models to restore the original game quality
| - | - | - | - | - Permanent ad-free purchase option requested to replace the current high-cost monthly subscription model
| - |
| Strategic Intel |
| Strengths | - 36,000-puzzle library functions as a content-volume barrier
- Game Center integration drives social network effects
- Decade-long user history sustains organic install velocity
| - Massive scale (1.8M+ ratings) providing high ASO authority
- Strong live-ops via Seasonal Events and Daily Challenges
- Clean, preferred UI for core Sudoku gameplay
| - | - Massive scale (2.9M+ ratings) providing high social proof
- Unique 16x16 grid differentiator
- Strong offline functionality
| - Massive user base (1M+ ratings) providing high social proof
- Advanced live-ops engine with Tournaments and Seasonal Events
- Clean, minimalist design that appeals to casual users
| - Narrative-driven world progression sustains long-term retention
- 11-language library functions as a B2B distribution barrier
- Trivia-based crossword mechanics provide a high-frequency daily habit
| - Unique color-coded logic system
- Strong developer reputation (MobilityWare)
- Effective progressive onboarding for beginners
|
| Weaknesses | - Mid-game ad frequency drives high churn
- Forced internet connectivity prevents offline play
- Performance regressions post-update
| - Aggressive mid-game ad interruptions
- High $18 ad-removal price point
- Lack of Dark Mode for night-time play
| - | - Battery optimization issues causing device overheating
- Deceptive ad UX (fake close buttons) driving high-frequency complaints
- Lower update velocity compared to top-tier peers
| - Aggressive ad strategy interrupting active gameplay
- Lack of zoom/scroll functionality for large grids
- Alienating reward structure changes (keys/books system)
| - Aggressive ad frequency disrupts the core gameplay loop
- Technical instability post-update causes loading failures
- No permanent ad-free purchase option for loyal users
| - Intrusive and technically flawed ad implementation
- Lack of a one-time purchase ad-removal tier
- Declining sentiment trend due to monetization friction
|
| Pricing | free | freemium | free | freemium | freemium | freemium | freemium |
| Momentum | Active | Maintenance | Intense | Maintenance | - | Active | - |
| Update Cadence | 4 versions, 1 majors/6mo, ~15d avg | 2 versions, ~29d avg | 5 versions | 2 versions, ~14d avg | - | 5 versions, 5 majors/6mo, ~16d avg | - |
