Best The New York Times Crossword Alternatives ranked by AI · updated Aug 2026

The New York Times Crossword is a daily crossword service for players seeking professionally edited puzzles across a range of difficulty levels. Its standout capabilities include a large archive, timed solving, streaks, and cross-platform synchronization.

Developer: The New York Times Company Price: From $5/mo 🎯 nytimes.com/crosswords

Top 6 The New York Times Crossword alternatives

1 One Clue Crossword logo

One Clue Crossword

AppyNation

One Clue Crossword is a mobile word puzzle game for casual players who solve crossword entries from a single image clue. It...

Pros

  • Image-based clues are more approachable than traditional crossword definitions
  • Short levels work well for casual mobile play
  • Large collection of themed puzzles

Cons

  • Less challenging and flexible than traditional crossword apps
  • Free play is interrupted by advertising and resource limits
  • Limited competitive and social features
2 Crossword Jam logo

Crossword Jam

PlaySimple Games

Crossword Jam is a mobile word puzzle game where players swipe letter combinations to fill crossword-style boards. It is designed for casual...

Pros

  • Quick swipe-based rounds work well for casual mobile play
  • Progressive boards provide a gentler introduction than traditional crosswords
  • Large level structure offers more content than daily-only word games

Cons

  • Frequent ads can interrupt play more than in paid crossword apps
  • Clues are less substantial than those in CodyCross or traditional crosswords
  • Some later levels rely heavily on obscure or repeated words
3 Crossword Puzzle Free logo

Crossword Puzzle Free

Stand Alone, Inc.

Crossword Puzzle Free is a mobile crossword game for casual players who want a large collection of traditional American-style puzzles. It supports...

Pros

  • Large selection of puzzles for casual daily play
  • Designed for quick mobile sessions
  • Hints help players continue when they are stuck

Cons

  • Less editorially distinctive than newspaper crossword services
  • Advertising can interrupt the solving experience
  • Advanced puzzle and archive features are more limited than subscription services
4 Penny Dell Crosswords logo

Penny Dell Crosswords

Penny Publications

Penny Dell Crosswords offers traditional crossword puzzles from Penny Publications in print and digital formats. It is aimed at casual and experienced...

Pros

  • Offers a broad range of classic crossword difficulty levels
  • More traditional puzzle style than many newspaper-based apps
  • Available through both print publications and digital platforms

Cons

  • Digital availability and pricing vary by platform
  • Less integrated with a large news or games subscription than The New York Times
  • Fewer social and progress-tracking features than leading crossword apps

Varies by print subscription and digital platform

CodyCross is a crossword puzzle game with a unique twist, where players explore themed worlds and solve puzzles.

Pros

  • Themed worlds
  • Unique gameplay

Cons

  • Some levels are too difficult
  • Limited hints

Free with in-app purchases

6

Crossword Puzzle

Redstone Games

Crossword Puzzle is a mobile crossword app offering themed puzzles across multiple difficulty levels. It is designed for players who want a...

Pros

  • Closer to conventional crossword solving than One Clue Crossword
  • Multiple difficulty levels support gradual improvement
  • Offline play is useful during travel

Cons

  • Interface is less distinctive than One Clue Crossword's visual format
  • Free version includes advertising
  • Puzzle quality and variety can vary by pack

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