CodyCross review
Themed trivia crosswords that hide a secret word
- Fanatee
- Free + paid plans
- iPhone & iPad, Android
4.7 from 284.6K App Store ratings 100M+ Google Play downloads
Does it deserve #9?
Is CodyCross worth it?
It depends on what you need. CodyCross scores 7.7/10 and ranks #9 in Puzzle & Word Games. It's best for trivia lovers who want crossword clues that teach them something. Skip it if you want a pure vocabulary game or can't stand ads between levels. Price: Free with ads; $0.99 buys 30 ad-free days, and a monthly Club plan is listed from $3.99.
The verdict
CodyCross turns the crossword into a trivia tour. Clues come from general knowledge across themed worlds, every grid hides a secret word, and Today's Crossword and Today's Password give you a reason to come back daily. Levels on the main map work offline once they've loaded. Free play brings an ad after each level, though, and loot-box packs and limited mission energy keep nudging you toward the store.
- Themed crosswords with trivia clues
- A secret word in every puzzle
- Today's Crossword and Today's Password
- Worlds and missions to unlock
- Playable in twelve languages
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Oct 2026Now playable in Swedish, with a special mission inspired by the country
- Oct 2026In the Classroom, a limited-time mission celebrating teachers
- May 2026A new home screen that changes with the seasons
Privacy 5.8/10
App Store label: purchases, identifiers and usage data may be used to track you; contact info, user content and diagnostics are also among the data linked to your identity.
What we like
- Trivia clues teach you something as you solve
- Daily puzzles on top of a long main map
- Main map levels play offline once loaded
What could be better
- An ad after each level unless you pay
- Loot boxes, and limited energy for missions
- Daily puzzles and new worlds need a connection
Trivia lovers who want crossword clues that teach them something
you want a pure vocabulary game or can't stand ads between levels
Questions about CodyCross
Is CodyCross worth it in 2026?
It depends on what you need. CodyCross scores 7.7/10 and ranks #9 in Puzzle & Word Games. It's best for trivia lovers who want crossword clues that teach them something. Skip it if you want a pure vocabulary game or can't stand ads between levels. Price: Free with ads; $0.99 buys 30 ad-free days, and a monthly Club plan is listed from $3.99.
Is CodyCross free?
Yes, it's free with ads. The App Store lists tokens from $1.99, a $0.99 purchase that removes ads for 30 days and a monthly CodyCross Club subscription that removes ads after puzzles and banners.
Can you play CodyCross offline?
Partly. Main map levels work offline once they've loaded, but the first launch, new worlds, Today's Crossword, Today's Password and missions need a connection.
Is CodyCross suitable for kids?
It's rated 13+ on the App Store, which lists frequent contests, loot boxes and infrequent simulated gambling, and Everyone on Google Play.
What are the best alternatives to CodyCross?
The closest alternatives are Wordscapes, NYT Games and Words With Friends. See all of them ranked on our CodyCross alternatives page.
Where does CodyCross rank?
CodyCross ranks #9 of 12 in our Puzzle & Word Games ranking, with an overall score of 7.7 out of 10.