NYT Games wins on depth and brand-name puzzles like Wordle and the Crossword, but WaPo Games punches back with a surprisingly generous free tier and classic game variety. Neither will break the bank.
The NYT Crossword once caused a national panic in 1996 when it predicted the presidential election result — the answer 'BOB DOLE' or 'CLINTON ELECTED' both worked depending on how you read it. Constructors are sneaky.
You want the best daily puzzle ritual with word games and crosswords
NYT Games has the deepest puzzle ecosystem, the most polished app, and the cultural cachet that makes Wordle results shareable at the office.
→ Pick New York Times GamesYou want casual variety — Solitaire, Mahjongg, arcade games — mostly for free
WaPo Games is basically a free gaming hub with 50+ titles; you don't even need a subscription to enjoy most of it.
→ Pick Washington Post GamesYou're already a Washington Post subscriber
Games are bundled in — no reason to pay separately for NYT Games when WaPo's are already included.
→ Pick Washington Post GamesYou're a hardcore crossword solver who wants decades of archives
NYT's crossword archive stretches back to 1993 with legendary constructors — it's the undisputed GOAT for serious solvers.
→ Pick New York Times Games