The Best Crossword Apps in 2026 — Ranked and Reviewed

The crossword app market has matured into a diverse landscape of daily puzzle providers, archive collections, and specialty constructors. Here is how the major options compare in 2026.

New York Times Crossword

The gold standard of American crossword puzzles. The NYT Crossword app provides daily puzzles Monday through Sunday, the Spelling Bee, Connections, and Strands. A subscription costs roughly $40 per year and provides access to thousands of archived puzzles. The constructor community is the most prestigious in the industry, ensuring consistent quality and varied themes.

Crossword by Redstone Games

A free crossword app with daily American-style puzzles that do not require a subscription. Difficulty varies, and the archive is accessible without payment. Suitable for players who want regular crossword practice without committing to a paid subscription while developing their skills.

Washington Post Crossword

The Washington Post offers free daily crosswords accessible through its website and app. Quality is high, with experienced constructors producing puzzles in the American crossword tradition. The archive is more limited than NYT, but the current puzzles are excellent.

Cryptic Crossword Apps

For British-style cryptic crossword players, The Guardian and The Independent both offer digital access to their daily cryptics. The Guardian crossword app is particularly well-designed and allows saving progress mid-solve. British cryptics are significantly harder than American crosswords for players unfamiliar with the conventions.