12 Of The Best Word Game Apps That Word Nerds Will Love
If you’re a sucker for words (and of course you are), there’s a whole host of absolutely fun games to play on your phone. Beyond kid’s games, there are so many challenging word game apps out there that are meant for adults to play (and play again). Take part in the daily New York Times crossword, build an army of dancing bears, or stomp your friends with your vocabulary skills with the best of the best word game apps available in 2020.
1. Wordscapes
Type of game: A crossword style game, combined with word search
Devices: iOS | Android | Windows
Price: Free, with in-app purchases
Why you’ll love it: This game is easy at first, but quickly gets harder over time. It also only takes a few minutes to play each round, so it’s great for some quick brain stretching during the day to improve your vocabulary. And, the soothing backgrounds are pretty to look at and the game’s interface is easy to use.
2. Alphabear
Type of game: A wholly original word/strategy game, with elements of word search
Price: Free, with in-app purchases
Why you’ll love it: With cute dancing bears, lots of vocabulary building, and a few gamified elements that are missing in other word game apps (like power-ups and boss fights), Alphabear is an absolute blast to play. You not only try to make words, you also help your bears get bigger for more points. (See also, the sequel Alphabear 2.)
3. TypeShift
Type of game: Anagrams meets word search meets crosswords
Price: Free, with in-app purchases
Why you’ll love it: This one goes beyond the normal “find word repeat” type of word game apps by introducing multiple columns of letters you have shift around in order to spell out words in the center row. Beautiful to play, and quickly challenging.
4. Four Letters
Type of game: Timed word search game
Price: Free, with in-app purchases
Why you’ll love it: Like all word game apps, Four Letters starts out simple but quickly progresses to harder and harder puzzles to solve. With only four letters, you have to make a word as quickly as possible. Smooth and easy to play in small pockets of downtime to improve your vocabulary.
5. Blackbar
Type of game: Guess the word game, with an underlying story
Price: $1.99 Android, $2.99 iOS
Why you’ll love it: If you’re looking for something a bit more immersive than typical word game apps, check out Blackbar. By playing, you’ll read through a story told in a dystopian future where censorship is blotting out key words (that you have to then guess). It can be a difficult game to master, but always entertaining.
6. Words with Friends (2)
Type of game: Basically Scrabble
Price: Free, with in-app purchases
Why you’ll love it: This is the highly-popular word game that you’ve probably already played. However, it’s still one of the best word game apps for straight fun and multi-player functionality. The redesign, Friends 2, allows you to play fictional characters in solo challenge events and includes new lightning rounds.
7. New York Times Crossword
Type of game: Crossword puzzle
Devices: iOS | Android | Windows
Price: Free to demo for a week, then $6.99/month or $39.99/year subscription options
Why you’ll love it: It’s THE classic crossword and now you can take it with you wherever you go. You’ll be able to play the daily New York Times newspaper puzzle or get access to mini puzzles, puzzle packs, or access to the 20+ years of past puzzles.
8. Word Cookies
Type of game: Word search style game
Devices: iOS | Android | Windows
Price: Free, with in-app purchases
Why you’ll love it: It’s basically a modified word search game, but like WordScapes, the fun is in the little extras. With a nice and clean interface, it’s simple to play. And, you’re making cookies so win-win!
9. Wheel of Fortune
Type of game: Guess the word game
Devices: iOS | Android | Windows
Price: Free, with in-app purchases
Why you’ll love it: If you love the TV show, this game gives you the ability to take your own turn at the wheel and guess the show’s puzzles. Play with friends and family, compete for prizes, and play lightning-quick rounds for a fast brain workout.
10. Letterpress
Type of game: Scrabble style game
Price: Free, with in-app purchases
Why you’ll love it: The game boasts a minimal, easy-to-use interface where you can play against friends to capture the board, or challenge a bot to play. Beyond figuring out words, it’s a strategy game that’s always challenging.
11. Word Search Pro
Type of game: Word search
Price: Free, with in-app purchases
Why you’ll love it: If you’re looking for a simple, fun, and beautiful app to play word search games with, this is the one for you. It has a bright colorful look, daily challenges, unlimited puzzles, and three difficulty levels that make it always fun to play. With elegant animations and night mode settings, it was definitely made with mobile users in mind. And, likely because of this, it’s the #1 rated word game app in the iOS store.
12. Word Connect
Type of game: A crossword style game, combined with word search
Devices: iOS | Android | Windows
Price: Free, with in-app purchases
Why you’ll love it: This one has the classic look and feel of old school games, with loads of playability. With over 3,000 levels and no time limits, it’s a relaxing way to improve your vocabulary a little bit every day.
What do you think are the best word game apps out there? Want even more bookish app suggestions? Check out:
