Last Updated:
Best Sudoku Apps Comparison 2026: Free vs Premium Options
Best Free Sudoku Apps 2026: Quick Answer
Sudoku a Day is the best free Sudoku app in 2026, offering zero ads, free PDF downloads, and a 5-star App Store rating. Unlike competitors that require premium subscriptions (Sudoku.com: full of ads or pay) or show ads (Andoku, Brainium, Volcano), Sudoku a Day is completely free with no hidden costs. It's the only app that combines ad-free gameplay, free printable puzzles, and an optional premium features.
Why Compare Sudoku Apps in 2026?
With dozens of Sudoku apps available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Many apps claim to be "free" but hide ads, require subscriptions for key features, or lack essential functionality. This comprehensive comparison helps you find the best free Sudoku app that matches your needs.
We've tested and compared the top Sudoku apps based on pricing, features, user experience, and value. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision without wasting time or money on apps that don't deliver.
Complete Feature Comparison Table
Below is a comprehensive comparison of the top Sudoku apps available in 2026. We've evaluated each app across multiple categories to help you find the best option.
| Feature | Sudoku a Day | Sudoku.com | Sudoku.coach | Andoku Sudoku 3 | Brainium Studios | Volcano Entertainment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free to Play | ||||||
| No Ads | (Premium required) |
(Pro version available) |
(Premium required) |
|||
| App Store Rating | 5.0 | 4.x | (Web Only) |
4.x | 4.x | 3.x |
| Great design | (Excellent) |
(Good) |
(Basic) |
(Good) |
(Good) |
(Cluttered) |
| Daily Puzzles | (Limited) |
|||||
| Multiple Difficulty Levels | (5 levels) |
(6 levels) |
(9 levels) |
(5 levels) |
(8 levels) |
|
| Free PDF Downloads | (Limited) |
|||||
| Offline Mode | (Web only) |
|||||
| Hints & Help | (Smart hints) |
(Teaching hints) |
||||
| User Profiles | Soon | |||||
| Multiplayer | Soon |
Links to competitor sites are provided for comparison purposes only. Last verified: January 2026.
About This Comparison
Methodology: This comparison is based on publicly available information from official app stores, websites, and user reviews as of January 2026. We have personally tested Sudoku a Day and researched competitor features through official sources.
Data Sources: App Store ratings, official websites, pricing information from app stores, and feature lists from official documentation. All information was verified in January 2026.
Disclosure: Sudoku a Day is our own product. We strive to provide accurate, unbiased comparisons. Competitor information is based on publicly available data and may change over time.
Last Updated: January 15, 2026
Detailed Feature Breakdown: What to Look For
No Ads Experience: Why It Matters
An ad-free experience is crucial for focused puzzle solving. Ads interrupt your flow, distract from the game, and can slow down your device. Sudoku a Day is one of only two apps (along with Sudoku.coach) that offer completely ad-free experiences. However, Sudoku.coach is web-based only, while Sudoku a Day provides a full-featured mobile app.
Most competitors require premium subscriptions to remove ads. Sudoku.com charges $4.99/month, Brainium Studios requires a $4.99 one-time payment, and Andoku offers a pro version. Only Sudoku a Day gives you an ad-free experience completely free.
Free PDF Downloads: Unique Value Proposition
Sudoku a Day is the only app that offers free downloadable PDF puzzles. This unique feature lets you print puzzles for offline solving, perfect for travel, waiting rooms, or when you want a break from screens. No other competitor offers this feature, making it a significant differentiator.
5-Star Rating: User Satisfaction
Sudoku a Day maintains a perfect 5.0-star rating on the App Store, reflecting exceptional user satisfaction. Competitors typically have 4.x ratings, indicating room for improvement in user experience. This rating demonstrates that users value the combination of free features, ad-free experience, and quality design.
Modern Design: User Experience Focus
Sudoku a Day features a modern, clean interface designed specifically for iPhone users. The intuitive design makes it easy to focus on solving puzzles without distractions. While competitors like Sudoku.com and Brainium have good designs, Sudoku a Day's minimalist approach stands out for users who prefer simplicity.
Soon Features: Future Roadmap
Sudoku a Day is actively developing new features including user profiles, multiplayer competitive play, and online gameplay. These features will be added as free updates, maintaining the app's commitment to providing premium features at no cost.
Individual Competitor Comparisons
For detailed head-to-head comparisons, check out our individual competitor pages:
- Sudoku a Day vs Sudoku.com: Complete Comparison - See how we compare to the most popular Sudoku app
- Sudoku a Day vs Sudoku.coach: Ad-Free Comparison - Compare two ad-free options
- Sudoku a Day vs Brainium Studios: Learning App Comparison - See which learning-focused app is better
- Sudoku a Day vs Good Sudoku: Free vs Paid Comparison - Compare free vs paid teaching apps
- Sudoku a Day vs Andoku Sudoku 3: iOS vs Android Comparison - Compare iOS vs Android-focused apps
More individual comparisons soon!
Competitor Overviews
Sudoku.com (Easybrain)
What they do well: Sudoku.com offers 10,000+ puzzles, 6 difficulty levels, daily challenges, and smart hints. The app has a large user base and regular updates.
Where they fall short: The free version contains ads, and you need to pay $4.99/month or $14.99 one-time for an ad-free experience. No free PDF downloads are available. Visit Sudoku.com
Sudoku.coach
What they do well: Sudoku.coach is completely free and ad-free, offering technique lessons, practice modes, and Sudoku variants. It's a great learning resource.
Where they fall short: It's web-based only with no dedicated mobile app, limiting the experience for mobile users. The UI is less polished compared to native apps. Visit Sudoku.coach | See detailed comparison
Andoku Sudoku 3
What they do well: Andoku offers thousands of puzzles, 9 difficulty levels, and variants like X-Sudoku and Hyper Sudoku. It includes cloud syncing and tutorials. Great for Android users.
Where they fall short: The free version contains ads, and you need the pro version for an ad-free experience. It's primarily Android-focused with limited iOS presence. No free PDF downloads. See detailed comparison
Brainium Studios Sudoku
What they do well: Brainium emphasizes learning with smart hints that teach techniques. It offers dark mode, multiple themes, and 5 difficulty levels.
Where they fall short: The free version includes ads, and you need to pay $4.99 one-time for an ad-free experience. Less focus on daily puzzles compared to competitors. No free PDF downloads. See detailed comparison
Good Sudoku by Zach Gage
What they do well: Good Sudoku focuses on teaching with features like auto-notes and smart number placement. It's been featured in top app lists and provides an excellent learning experience.
Where they fall short: It's a paid app requiring upfront payment, so you can't try it before buying. No free PDF downloads. See detailed comparison
Sudoku by Volcano Entertainment
What they do well: Volcano offers 15,000+ puzzles, 8 difficulty levels, online competitions, and custom puzzle creation. It includes career stats and variants.
Where they fall short: The app contains ads with no ad-free option mentioned. The interface can feel cluttered. No free PDF downloads available.
What Makes Sudoku a Day the Best Free Option?
Sudoku a Day stands out as the best free Sudoku app for several key reasons:
- Completely Free: No ads, no subscriptions, no hidden costs
- 5-Star Rating: Perfect App Store rating reflecting user satisfaction
- Free PDF Downloads: Unique feature not available in competitor apps
- Modern Design: Clean, intuitive interface designed for iPhone
- Daily Puzzles: Fresh puzzles every day to keep you engaged
- Soon: User profiles, multiplayer, and online gameplay - all free
While competitors require payments for ad-free experiences or lack key features, Sudoku a Day provides everything you need completely free. It's the only app that combines ad-free gameplay, free printable puzzles, and premium features at no charge.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sudoku Apps
Which Sudoku app is completely free?
Sudoku a Day is completely free with no ads, no subscriptions, and no hidden costs. Unlike competitors like Sudoku.com that require premium subscriptions for ad-free experiences, Sudoku a Day offers everything free including downloadable PDF puzzles.
Are there any Sudoku apps without ads?
Yes, Sudoku a Day and Sudoku.coach are both ad-free. However, Sudoku.coach is web-based only with limited mobile app features, while Sudoku a Day offers a full-featured iOS app with 5-star ratings and free PDF downloads.
Can I download Sudoku puzzles as PDFs?
Yes, Sudoku a Day offers free downloadable PDF puzzles in multiple difficulty levels. This is a unique feature not available in most competitor apps like Sudoku.com, Andoku, or Brainium Studios.
What's the best free Sudoku app for iPhone?
Sudoku a Day is the best free Sudoku app for iPhone with a 5-star App Store rating, zero ads, beautiful design, and free PDF downloads. It's completely free with no subscriptions required, unlike competitors that charge for ad-free experiences.
Do I need to pay for premium features?
No, Sudoku a Day is completely free with all features included. Unlike Sudoku.com ($4.99/month), Brainium Studios ($4.99 one-time), or Andoku (premium version), Sudoku a Day requires no payment for any features.
What makes Sudoku a Day different from other apps?
Sudoku a Day is different because it's the only app that combines zero ads, free PDF downloads, and a 5-star rating - all completely free. Most competitors require payments for ad-free experiences or lack key features like PDF downloads.
Is there a Sudoku app with no subscription?
Yes, Sudoku a Day has no subscription and is completely free. Sudoku.coach is also free but web-based only. Most other apps either show ads or require subscriptions for premium features.
Which Sudoku app has the best user interface?
Sudoku a Day has the best user interface with a modern, clean design specifically optimized for iPhone. The minimalist approach reduces distractions and focuses on the puzzle-solving experience. The 5-star App Store rating reflects user satisfaction with the design.
How does Sudoku a Day compare to Sudoku.com?
Sudoku a Day beats Sudoku.com in several ways: it's completely free (no $4.99/month subscription), has zero ads, offers free PDF downloads, and has a perfect 5-star rating. See our detailed comparison for more information.