Games Like Sudoku (2026): 10 Logic Puzzles to Try Next

Sudoku has a very particular charm. A small grid, a handful of rules and a quiet satisfaction when the last number slots in. If you've done a few hundred and fancy something different, there's a whole family of logic puzzles that scratch the same itch in new ways.

Here are ten games like Sudoku, listed in no particular order and sorted from A to Z. Most come from smaller developers, and every detail below comes from each game's own App Store, Steam or website page. If you want a wider look at what's out there, my guide to free offline Sudoku and crossword apps is a handy companion.

Sudoku style puzzles at a glance

In the free to play column, Yes means the store page or the maker's own site lists the game as free to download or use. Store listings change, so check the page in your own country before you install.

Game	Platforms	Good for	Free to play
Flow Free	iPhone, iPad, Mac	Joining matching colours with pipes to fill a board	Yes
Futoshiki Mastermind	iPhone, iPad, Mac	Number grids guided by greater-than and less-than signs	Yes
Hashi: Bridges	iPhone, iPad	Connecting islands with bridges, no arithmetic needed	Yes
Hitori - Logic Puzzles	iPhone, iPad, Mac	Shading squares so no number repeats in a row	Yes
Kakuro: Number Crossword	iPhone, iPad	Cross-sum grids using digits one to nine	Yes
KenKen Classic	iPhone, iPad	Arithmetic grids from small to large sizes	Yes
Nonograms Katana	iPhone, iPad, Mac	Revealing hidden pictures from number clues	Yes
Picross Touch	PC, Mac, Linux (Steam)	Picture logic puzzles with a level editor	Yes
Simon Tatham's Portable Puzzle Collection	Windows, Mac, Linux, web, Android	A big free set of single-player logic puzzles	Yes
Star Battle Hoshi Puzzles	iPhone, iPad, Mac	Placing stars so none touch, with daily challenges	Yes

Ten logic puzzles to try after Sudoku, A to Z

Flow Free

Best for: Anyone who likes tidy, visual puzzles where every square must be filled and no lines may cross.

Futoshiki Mastermind

Best for: Sudoku fans who want a familiar fill-the-grid puzzle, with inequality clues replacing printed starting digits.

Hashi: Bridges

Best for: Players who want pure logic with no maths, joining numbered islands using the right number of bridges.

Hitori - Logic Puzzles

Best for: Number-puzzle fans who like spotting repeats and shading cells, in a small and calm app.

Kakuro: Number Crossword

Best for: People who enjoy adding up and want a crossword-style number puzzle with clues for each block.

KenKen Classic

Best for: Sudoku fans happy to use a little mental arithmetic, with grids that grow from beginner to tricky.

Nonograms Katana

Best for: Anyone who likes picture puzzles, with a large set of free puzzles to work through at their own pace.

Picross Touch

Best for: Computer players who want free picture puzzles with no adverts, plus tools to make and share their own.

Simon Tatham's Portable Puzzle Collection

Best for: Puzzle fans who want lots of different logic games in one free, open-source collection.

Star Battle Hoshi Puzzles

Best for: Fans of daily puzzles who want a fresh logic challenge with five difficulty levels.

What a game like Sudoku needs to feel right

It works because the rules are short and the answer always comes from logic, never luck. The best alternatives share those traits. Before you download anything, think about which part you enjoy most.

• Filling a grid. If you like the tidy feeling of a completed square, look for puzzles where every cell needs an answer.
• Numbers without sums. If you enjoy digits but not maths, some puzzles use only placement and comparison.
• A little arithmetic. If you like adding and multiplying in your head, pick puzzles that mix sums with logic.
• Pictures. Some puzzles reveal an image when you finish, which gives you something to show for your effort.
• Daily puzzles. If a small daily habit appeals, look for apps that serve up a fresh puzzle each day.

Types of puzzle you'll meet after Sudoku

• Comparison puzzles give you signs between cells, such as greater than or less than, instead of starting digits.
• Cage and sum puzzles ask your numbers to add up or multiply to a clue for each block.
• Shading puzzles have you remove repeats or mark cells according to rules.
• Placement puzzles ask you to put stars or bridges in the right spots so nothing touches or crosses.
• Picture puzzles use number clues along the edges to reveal a hidden image.

If you'd like help deciding which of these will stretch you without frustrating you, my piece on choosing puzzle games that challenge you walks through the signs to look for.

Checklist for choosing a Sudoku replacement app

• Are the rules explained in a short tutorial, so I'm not guessing?
• Does the puzzle always have one logical answer, or might I need to guess?
• Can I get a hint if I'm stuck, without it spoiling the whole puzzle?
• Does it work offline, for journeys and quiet moments?
• What age rating does the store show, if a child might play too?

Sudoku-style habits that keep logic puzzles enjoyable

Puzzles are best when they stay a pleasure. A few habits help.

1. Learn the rules from the tutorial before you try a hard grid.
2. Start with small grids and move up when they feel easy.
3. Use hints sparingly, and try to work out why the hint was right.
4. Take a break if you've stared at the same grid for ten minutes. Fresh eyes spot things.
5. Mix puzzle types through the week so none of them feels like a chore.

If you mostly play on a desktop or laptop, my guide to free offline puzzle games for PC has more to explore.

Sudoku puzzles and children

Logic puzzles are usually quiet and gentle, which makes them popular with children. Most of the App Store pages I read for this list carry a low age rating, but one is rated for teens. Ratings and extra purchases can change, so check each store page and your device's parental controls before a child plays.

Sudoku alternatives: slips that spoil the fun

• Starting with a hard grid and giving up before the logic clicks.
• Using hints so often that the puzzle stops being a puzzle.
• Downloading lookalike apps with a similar name, instead of the maker's own listing.
• Assuming every app works offline, then finding a blank screen on a journey.
• Collecting too many apps and ending up playing none of them.

Do you make mobile or PC games? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Your Sudoku shortlist

Choose two puzzle types that sound interesting, play the first few grids in each, and keep the one you look forward to. A good logic puzzle should leave you feeling clever, not stuck. If one doesn't click after a few tries, move on and come back another day.

Frequently asked questions

What puzzles are similar to Sudoku?

Number and logic puzzles that fill a grid using clues are the closest match, including comparison, sum, shading, bridge and picture puzzles. This page lists ten options in no particular order.

Are there free puzzle games like Sudoku?

Yes. The free to play column in the table shows which listings are free to download or use. Check the store page in your country before you install.

Do I need to be good at maths to play puzzles like Sudoku?

Not always. Some puzzles use only logic and placement, while others add simple arithmetic. Pick the style that matches how you like to think.

Can I play logic puzzles offline?

Many apps work without a connection, but it varies. Check the store page, or try the app in flight mode before a journey.

Are Sudoku style puzzles suitable for children?

Most are quiet and non-violent, but the age rating and any extras differ by app. Check each store page and your device's parental controls first.