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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Wordington vs Word Search

Wordington 4.6★ · Free + IAP 60
Winner Word Search
Word Search 4.7★ · Free + IAP 70

Word Search is the better choice for a pure word search experience, offering a relaxing and challenging game, while Wordington's core word game is often overshadowed by its home renovation meta-game and excessive ads.

Full reviews: Wordington · Word Search

Wordington combines word puzzles with home renovation, but users frequently complain about excessive ads, slow content updates, and issues with word recognition. Word Search provides a more straightforward word search experience, praised for keeping minds sharp, though it also faces significant criticism for its high volume of ads.

Head to head

Core Gameplay & Features edge: Word SearchR3R9R14R20
Wordington Wordington offers a unique blend of word puzzles and home renovation, which many users initially enjoy R3R20R14. However, the word dictionary is inconsistent, with some words not being recognized or working in some levels but not others R3. The renovation aspect is also criticized for slow content updates, repetitive tasks, and limited design choices R9R24R25R28.
Word Search Word Search provides a traditional word search experience, praised for being relaxing, fun, and good for keeping the mind sharp . Some users appreciate the large print and bright colors . However, some find the words repetitive and the difficulty too easy . The timed puzzles are a drawback for some players . Recent updates removed daily challenges and the haptic feedback for finding words, which disappointed loyal players .
Ads & Monetization tieR1R13R15R16
Wordington Wordington is heavily criticized for an excessive number of ads, often appearing after every round or even every move R1R13R15R16. Many users find the ad frequency unbearable and a reason to delete the game R13R15R16. There are also significant complaints from users who paid to remove ads, only for ads to reappear later, or for the ad-free purchase to be converted into a monthly subscription R34R37R43. The game is also seen as greedy for its microtransactions .
Word Search Word Search also receives overwhelming criticism for its excessive ads, with users reporting ads before and after every puzzle, and sometimes multiple ads in a row . Some ads are described as loud, inappropriate, or causing the game to freeze . Users who paid for the app still experience ads .
Reliability & Technical Issues tieR5R7R29R30
Wordington Wordington users report issues with lost progress R5, the game freezing R30, and the app not loading R29. Some users also complain that the option to delete account data does not work R7. There are also complaints about lag affecting gameplay .
Word Search Word Search users report issues with ads locking up the game, requiring an app restart . There are also complaints about the inability to sync or transfer game progress between devices, as iCloud sync is not appearing R66R80R113.
User Experience & Satisfaction edge: Word SearchR2R8R10R11
Wordington Despite the issues, many Wordington players express love for the game and find it challenging and engaging R2R8R11. However, frustration grows due to the overwhelming ads, lack of new content, and perceived unfair difficulty spikes R10R16R25.
Word Search Word Search is generally enjoyed for its ability to keep users sharp and provide a relaxing experience . However, the constant barrage of ads significantly detracts from the enjoyment, making the game borderline unplayable for many . Some users also dislike the timed aspect of puzzles and the yellow highlighting .
Pick Wordington if

you enjoy a blend of word puzzles and home renovation, are willing to tolerate frequent ads, or are prepared to pay for ad removal despite potential issues with the purchase R3R11R14R20.

Pick Word Search if

you prefer a straightforward word search game that helps keep your mind sharp and you can overlook the very high frequency of ads .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews focused on excessive ads, which is a common complaint for free-to-play games with in-app purchases. Wordington's issues with paid ad removal not working or being converted to subscriptions are particularly concerning.

Frequently asked

Can I play Wordington or Word Search without ads?
While both apps offer in-app purchases to remove ads, Wordington users report that previous ad-free purchases no longer work or have been converted to monthly subscriptions, with ads reappearing even after payment R34R37R43R49. Word Search also has an option to remove ads, but some users who paid for the app still experienced ads .
Do these games offer new content regularly?
Wordington users frequently complain about a lack of new storyline tasks and content updates, with some waiting months or even over a year for new material, feeling that the game focuses on irrelevant mini-games instead R24R25R26R28. Word Search reviews do not extensively discuss new content, but some users note repetitive words and levels .
Can I save my progress in these games?
Wordington users have reported losing progress, with one user losing a year's worth of progress after reinstalling, despite previous data being saved via Game Center R5. Word Search users frequently complain about the inability to sync or transfer game progress between devices, noting that iCloud sync does not appear to work R66R80R113.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R3] Wordington 3/5 · US A word or not a word?: I love word games and home renovation games. This is both. One BIG drawback is sometimes a word counts and in the next game, it won’t. You watch the gold sand blocks melt away as you try real words just to have it tell you it isn’t a word - this time. Another drawback is you never get more than one star no matter how well you do. And Emma needs a star for every little thing!
  2. [R9] Wordington 3/5 · US Too many commercials: I don’t mind some commercials, but I’m not willing to sit through a bunch of commercials only to be rewarded with very simple design choices and rewards. Game design is pretty easy and basic and design choices are pretty plain. Not a very exciting remodel or restoration with these choices. So not much incentive to sit through the commercials. I’ll be deleting this game.
  3. [R14] Wordington 5/5 · US It’s challenging and fun: I’ve benefited from this because my vocabulary has expanded also your building things. It does take a lot of patience
  4. [R20] Wordington 5/5 · US Amazing: I really enjoy playing this game to help renovate homes
  5. [R1] Wordington 1/5 · US Impossible play: Fun game but there's an ad for every round and after every round add add add that's all you get with this game too bad
  6. [R13] Wordington 2/5 · US Too many Ads: I enjoy word games yet this game, unlike many other games, has an ad after every single move. Touch any button and there is an Ad before you can proceed. I understand the value of ads, but this game has an abnormal amount. It’s not motivation to buy ad free, for me, it actually causes me to get rid of your game.
  7. [R15] Wordington 3/5 · US Too many ads: The game is fun but waaaaay too many ads. That’s why I’m deleting it.
  8. [R16] Wordington 2/5 · US Too many ads: I like the game but you have an ad after every single move. Ridiculous to have this many ads. And NO I’m not going to pay to remove ads. You need to remove them. Maybe let someone get a few steps or give more stars per move. I will be deleting this game again.
  9. [R5] Wordington 5/5 · US Super fun but I lost my progress: I played it for like a year and renovated a big part of the house overall. I deleted it and then many years later, I downloaded it again and it saved my progress and data in Game Center. This time, I deleted it again for only a month or two and I completely lost everything. It may be my fault, but I’m just confused how that happened. The game was very fun and chal
  10. [R7] Wordington 2/5 · US Won’t delete data: I have been trying to delete my data from this game for months so I can start fresh, and yet even after it says it will fully delete my account when I open the app a few weeks later it’s still exactly as it was before. What’s the point of having an option to delete your account when it literally doesn’t?
  11. [R29] Wordington 5/5 · US Wordington: Have had the game a few weeks. Today it won’t load... It’s working great now! Thanks for fixing whatever it was!
  12. [R30] Wordington 3/5 · US They need more content and the app often freezes after 4 or 5small puzzles.: I’ve only been playin this game for a few months and have gotten to the end of their content. It comes out in dribs and drabs, every 5 or 6 days. They could have a note that pops up and the action the efforts they are making and inform us whether the app has a future or is the story ready to conclude.And another thing the
  13. [R2] Wordington 5/5 · US Wordington: Great!
  14. [R8] Wordington 5/5 · US Rate: I love playing Wordington,
  15. [R10] Wordington 2/5 · US Love this game: This is my favorite game but why is it that the longer you play and play, and be loyal and be loyal, spend your own money to play, then they reward you by GIVING YOU HARD LEVEL AFTER HARD LEVEL? I’ve been a loyal player and that’s what I get? Thanks but no thanks. I’m not playing anymore. And….. I’ve gone as far in the game as I can go and they won’t give me any more. Keep saying
  16. [R11] Wordington 5/5 · US Love it!: When I got it I thought it would be easy, and I would be finished quickly. But it’s challenging! There are really tough levels and the gameplay is great! Would recommend!! The only downside is the ads, but it’s pretty cheap to get rid of them!
  17. [R34] Wordington 1/5 · US Lies: Bought game and suddenly started getting ads after a year
  18. [R37] Wordington 2/5 · US Take the money don’t give the perks: Paid money for the bank as well as to remove ads. The piggybank is still locked and the Ads have started up again Don’t bother paying for the Piggybank or Ad removal apparently it doesn’t last.
  19. [R43] Wordington 1/5 · US I bought the game and am still getting ads: Why am I getting ads when I paid to remove them? It is so frustrating. It’s bad enough that the game constantly asks me for money for various things, but I paid to remove ads and yet I’m bombarded with ads every time I play.
  20. [R49] Wordington 1/5 · US USED to be my favorite game: This game used to be my favorite game. I played it everyday and recommended to lots of people. I had purchased the no ad version back when it available but they recently changed that to where you have to pay monthly for no ads. It is really expensive to go monthly and it is unbearable to play now with all the ads they have. Sorry to now be deleting this game.
  21. [R24] Wordington 3/5 · US Rate: I love this game it's just frustrating that it takes so long for tasks to be available.
  22. [R25] Wordington 1/5 · US Ridiculous: To the team at Wordington, Do you realize that it has been ELEVEN MONTHS since the last update for tasks? It would be nice if your “updates” were in advancing the storyline and tasks rather than challenges and races. It’s been so long since the last task/storyline update that I forgot what was happening. If you guys aren’t interested in advancing the storyline and are only interested
  23. [R26] Wordington 5/5 · US When?: When do we get new updates to the storyline? I’ve finished the game twice now. The puzzles are great but we need new projects to tackle. How about a cute park and playground for Emma’s new daughter!
  24. [R28] Wordington 1/5 · US I have an Idea: Stop adding useless features and small little challenges and continue the story line. It has been over a year since there were new tasks. If you had more than one developer, there would be more tasks. Since there have been none for a long time, it leads me to believe you lack creativity. There are many other games that do not take this long to improve or develop new material. With
  25. [R66] Word Search 3/5 · US iCloud Not Appearing 2 Sync Data: I can’t sync my previous data from playing word search since there’s no cloud anymore it appears on my new device
  26. [R80] Word Search 4/5 · US wish you could transfer progress: I love this app, but I switched phones and there’s no way to save my progress and my level so I have to download a new game because I don’t want this to happen again
  27. [R113] Word Search 5/5 · US suggestions--progress saving: there's no methods to save any of my current progress of any games of yours😂😂😂,really love those amazing games that you made,but it's better if you cloud just let us register a account of all your games or log in with apple account or something else,the icloud doesn't saved the progress,losing all the data when I reinstall it even on the same device. I really hope tha

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store