Best 10 Puzzle Apps for Android & iPad | 2024 Edition

Are you ready to dive into a world where every tap and swipe leads you to an “Aha!” moment? I’m a big fan of puzzles, and these apps are surely something I look for, especially when I want a distraction.

Yes, putting together a jigsaw puzzle is a calming experience, but who has the space and patience to do it? That’s where these puzzle apps come in. I’ve been testing out a few and wanted to share my thoughts on how they stack up for relaxing and brain-boosting fun.

Our Top Picks: Puzzle Apps for Android & iPad

You can find many puzzle games on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. However, some leave an impression that you continue to play them. I particularly enjoy classic jigsaw puzzles like the one by Easybrain. I also appreciate some brainbenders like Sudoku and Minesweeper.

If you’re looking for some modern titles, I recommend playing all of the Monument Valley games, as they come with a heartwarming narrative to pair with puzzle solving.

Jigsaw Puzzles

Jigsaw Puzzles by Easybrain

Picture this: you’re curled up on the couch after a long day, with your stress gently melting away as you piece together a vibrant sunset puzzle. It is the kind of experience that Easybrain’s Jigsaw Puzzle delivers.

It’s an app that isn’t just about finding the right puzzle piece but a way to relax. Right off the bat, you’re greeted with its stunning visuals, from breathtaking landscapes to playful kittens. There’s an extensive library of high-res images that will cater to your current mood.

If you think the app is all about pretty pictures, then you’re only half right. The visuals are only one part of the puzzle, and the other…piece count. This is fully customizable in Easybrain’s Jigsaw Puzzle app as you can choose between a 24-piece one or a more complex 1,000-piece version which will take you days to complete.

I’ve done a couple of thousand-piece puzzles before, and it really is an experience. The app does give you all that, plus a bit more, by allowing you to rotate pieces. There are also some intuitive features like segregating edge pieces to make your life easier.

A full jigsaw puzzle experience minus the clutter and space? Count me in. It’s an app that’s easy to enjoy but doesn’t hold back.

Jigsaw Puzzle by MobilityWare

MobilityWare’s Jigsaw Puzzle app is like a comfy sweatshirt you reach for on a rainy day. It’s a familiar and relatable game that’s perfect for unwinding. You can expect the classic puzzle experience from bustling cityscapes to peaceful gardens. The calm and familiarity will bring you back to a time when life was much simpler.

Playing the game, you’ll easily lose yourself while piecing things together with its smooth and intuitive controls. Even though it offers a solid foundation for a great puzzle session, it does come with limitations. For one, the number of free puzzles is limited, and the ad pop-ups are frequent.

In my case, since I have an Apple Arcade subscription, my puzzles are unlocked, and I’m able to play the game without any limitations. Even if you get the free version and don’t mind any of these, the game is worth it.

Read: Here are other Apple Arcade games you might enjoy

Whether a casual player or a dedicated puzzle solver, the game should satisfy your jigsaw puzzle itch.

Jigsaw Puzzles Epic

Jigsaw Puzzles Epic throws a unique twist into the classic puzzle game, and let me tell you, it’s a breath of fresh air. Forget the usual library of images that you expect in jigsaw puzzle games. This time around, you can create your personalized puzzles with your photos.

However, it’s a game with some clutter, as the interface can feel overloaded compared to the other jigsaw apps on this list. As a free app, expect to deal with some ads, which can be quite intrusive. It might not be the most zen of experiences as they can disrupt your flow.

Let’s not forget the cool features, though, as the custom puzzle is a game changer. There are also daily puzzles if you want a change of pace and don’t want to select puzzles from the app’s current library.

Even though Jigsaw Puzzles Epic is a mixed bag, the custom puzzle creation feature is undeniably cool. For some, the cluttered interface and ads might be a dealbreaker. If you’re a jigsaw puzzle enthusiast who values personalization and doesn’t mind navigating a bit of clutter, this app is worth a try. 

Read: Best Large Screen tablets to play Jigsaw Puzzle games on

Logic Puzzles

Sudoku.com by Easybrain

Let’s step away from jigsaw puzzles and into something that will give your brain a good workout. Enter Sudoku.com by Easybrain, the ultimate pocket-sized teaser that’s challenging and satisfying. Its intuitive interface brings the classic Sudoku experience to your mobile device.

Sudoku can seem intimidating with all the numbers and blank boxes. However, the game does cater to all players regardless of skill level, as you can select the difficulty. If you’re still a Sudoku newbie, you can easily dive into the easy puzzles to get your bearings. 

After conquering them, you can crank it up a notch with medium and hard puzzles. There’s even an expert level for those looking for a mind-bending challenge.

The one thing I like about this particular Sudoku app is its flexibility. It grows with you as it constantly offers a fresh challenge to keep your brain sharp. You might think it will throw you under the bus, but hints are readily available to guide you through your Sudoku journey.

Let’s not forget the app’s aesthetics, as it has a clean and intuitive interface, allowing you to focus on the current puzzle. If you’re an enthusiast looking for a must-have app on your iPad or Android tablet, Easybrain’s Sudoku.com is the one to have.

Read: If you like games like Sudoku, here’s our pick for the best Word Games

Minesweeper

Remember the days of clicking on random boxes and hoping not to stumble upon a hidden bomb? I’ve spent countless hours playing Minesweeper on my old Windows PC, and this is a welcome hit of nostalgia.

It’s a classic for a reason, and now it’s available to download on your iPad or Android tablet. If you’ve played Minesweeper before, the mobile version stays true to its roots. You’ll still feel your heart racing whenever you’re choosing to open one tile or another. It’s not just about opening, as flagging the wrong tile will also get you in trouble.

The great thing about Minesweeper is it doesn’t throw you down the deep end. You can take it easy or go into full problem-solving mode with the harder difficulties. Depending on your mood, there’s certainly a challenge for you.

If you say, that the graphics look a bit old and date? Well, you’re right. There are more modern-looking ones, for sure, but this particular version of the game does have that retro appeal.

Since the original Minesweeper was made for PCs that rely on a mouse for their inputs, there are times when this does not translate well into a touchscreen. Although this version from Still57 does make it a lot easier, I still get confused sometimes and tap on a mine instead of flagging it.

If that happens, well, I simply reset the board, select a new game and play again.

Read: If you want that nostalgia hit, here are the best retro games to play on your tablet

Hocus

Hocus by gamebra.in, isn’t your typical puzzle game. Instead of large explosions, it offers a fascinating journey through impossible perspectives inspired by the works of M.C. Escher.

It’s a game that challenges your perceptions and current notions of the world around you. You guide a small block across mind-bending paths and find a way to get it to the other end. All you need to do is tap or swipe it.

While the concept of the game is straightforward, Hocus boasts simple visuals with clean lines and muted colors. The tranquil atmosphere allows you to focus on the puzzle.

Yes, Hocus can look a bit minimalist, but don’t let that fool you, as there’s a surprising depth hiding beneath that simple interface. The puzzles become progressively harder with optical illusions, where you have to use your lateral thinking skills to solve them.

While playing Hocus, I was thinking that it can seem like Monument Valley without the creative charm and narrative. But, it does have strong points of its own, as it can do more challenging puzzles without worrying about the aesthetics.

Read: Best free games to play on your tablet

Escape Room Puzzles

The House of Davinci Trilogy

Nowadays, there’s more to puzzle apps than just putting pieces in the right spot. If you add an immersive narrative and mix it well with your brainteasers, you’ll be greeted with a gem like The House of Davinci.

Even though it’s a trilogy and the premise of each game is similar, the content is as different as you can get. As the player, you’re tasked to explore detailed environments to uncover secrets that will help you solve the game.

It’s not your typical match-3 puzzle game, as it throws logical and mechanical brain teasers your way. You’ll decipher messages and use your observational skills to find out which part of the environment you can interact with. For sure, if you can tap on an object, there’s something you can do with it. The question really is, what?

Even though you start the game right away without any tutorials, it does give you some time to adjust. It starts out simple but progressively gets more difficult. It’s a game where you need to extend your patience, as the deeper you go, the longer it takes for you to solve it.

Don’t feel bad when you can’t get it right the first time or get stuck. Who knows, all it needs is a change of perspective.

Read: If you like the first-person view The House of Davinci, you’re going to love these games

The Room Series

There’s another escape room puzzle app that I recommend apart from The House of Davinci: The Room. As the name suggests, it’s all about figuring a way out of the room with intricately designed puzzles. Here every detail is important as that could mean the key to your escape or not.

Since there are several titles in this series, they’ve also explored different settings and scenarios. There’s one game where you’re stuck in an attic and one in an underwater research facility. If you have a fear of being locked inside a room, I’m sure they have a game that will trigger that.

One of the things that I noticed when I was playing The Room is that there’s absolutely no hand-holding. It throws you down the deep end to start solving puzzles from the very first second. It’s your job to get yourself together, find clues, and piece them together.

Yes, frustration is the name of the game here, as there are puzzles where the clues seem to lead you nowhere. But it’s not the time to bang on the door in panic.

The secret to playing The Room is patience. It’s fine to not solve it in 10 minutes or even a few hours. I would even stop playing the game entirely for days and revisit it. With a brand new perspective, you’ll be surprised at what you come up with.

It’s more than just about solving puzzles, but also a journey of self-discovery. Most of all, it gives you a sense of accomplishment when you complete the game.

Read: Best Gaming Tablets for graphics-intensive games like The Room

Narrative Puzzles

Monument Valley Series

From the first moment you open Monument Valley, you’ll instantly be captivated by its stunning visuals. The game boasts vibrant colors and Escher-like impossible structures. Every level feels like an artwork where you can easily get lost in its beauty.

In the game, you must guide the character through impossible staircases and rotating towers to get her from one place to another. You’ll also have to manipulate the environment to open up the path on some levels.

There’s no doubt that the Monument Valley games are designed so well. You can tell that it’s all about the puzzle, but a subtle storyline runs throughout the series.

Monument Valley is a breathtaking game. However, its biggest drawback is its length. It’s simply too short and will leave you wanting more. However, it does not skimp on the quality and the long-lasting emotional imprint it leaves you.

I Love Hue Series

If you’re looking for vibrant and engaging puzzle games that will unleash your inner artist and sharpen your mind, the I Love Hue games are it. It’s a puzzle game that offers something different as it’s based on colors.

To understand how colors can be part of a puzzle game, you need to arrange the tiles to create a harmonious gradient. It’s relaxing, but there are instances when the subtle color differences can get on your nerves.

It does sound simple, but the game has depth where the puzzles gradually get harder. It’s also innovative as it’s one of those games that directly engages your creativity. Now, I’m not a visually creative type of person, but as someone who appreciates good design, this is a game that I can vouch for.

The I Love Hue games are accessible games that offer something for everyone. Its innovative gameplay and creative flair make it one way to unwind and challenge your mind without the usual puzzle game suspects.

Read: Tablets with high-quality displays for Monument Valley and I Love Hue

Benefits of Puzzle Apps

Puzzle apps are more than just games. They’re also brain boosters and creative catalysts, as they can sharpen your problem-solving skills and improve your memory. Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy while playing puzzle apps:

• They stimulate your brain and challenge your cognitive abilities.
• They reduce stress by providing a relaxing and rewarding way to escape life’s pressures.
• They spark your imagination by stimulating your curiosity and imagination.

If you’re looking for a mental workout or an immersive adventure, these apps should provide hours of entertainment. If not, check out the Top 8 Best Free iPad Games.