Most big sudoku apps are free with ads during games, and charge for their removal through a purchase or a monthly subscription. SudoKoum stands out: a one-time €3.99 purchase, zero ads even in the free version, and it is the only app in this comparison offering challenges with friends and family via a link.
Who is talking: this comparison is published by the maker of SudoKoum. It is factual nonetheless: every claim can be checked against the App Store and Google Play listings and the official sites of the apps mentioned, and the verification date is stated. Did a price change or a feature appear? Write to us (the address is in the privacy policy) and we will fix it.
The comparison table
| SudoKoum | Sudoku.com (Easybrain) | Sudoku (Brainium) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business model | One-time purchase, €3.99 | Free with ads | Free with ads |
| Ads during games | None, ever | Yes (interstitials) | Yes |
| Price to unlock everything, ad-free | €3.99 once | ≈ $14.99 once or ≈ $4.99/month | ≈ $4.99 once |
| Subscription offered | No, never | Yes | No |
| Friend and family challenges via link | Yes, the heart of the app | No (anonymous global tournaments) | No |
| Platforms | iOS and Android (launching 2026) | iOS, Android, web | iOS, Android |
| Languages | 13 | 18 | 17 |
Prices observed on US App Store listings and official sites on July 3, 2026. They vary by region and can change: user reviews from 2025 report, for instance, that Sudoku.com's ad removal went from about $10 to about $15.
SudoKoum vs Sudoku.com: peace of mind vs the catalog
Sudoku.com is the market leader, with millions of reviews, over 10,000 grids, variants and global tournaments. It is an impressive machine, and the download is free.
The real price is paid in interruptions. Recent reviews describe interstitial ads in the middle of games, sometimes long and hard to close. Removing them costs either a purchase of about $14.99 or a subscription of about $4.99 per month.
The choice is simple: if you want a huge catalog and interruptions do not bother you, Sudoku.com is solid. If you play for the calm and want to measure yourself against the people you love rather than anonymous strangers, SudoKoum costs €3.99 once and has never shown a single ad.
SudoKoum vs Brainium Sudoku: hints vs duels
Brainium Sudoku is known for its teaching hints, which explain the logic behind each move. The game is free with ads, and removing them costs about $4.99 once. No subscription, which already beats the average.
However, there is no social mode: no challenges, no friend or family leaderboard. And 2025 reviews report growing ad pressure in the free version.
The choice is simple: Brainium for a well-made classic solo game with good hints. SudoKoum for the social dimension, the cheat-proof score and the one-time purchase with no degraded tier.
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Methodology: information collected on July 3, 2026 from App Store and Google Play listings, the publishers' official sites and public user reviews from 2025 and 2026. This comparison is published by Kaizen Suru, maker of SudoKoum. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.