Words With Friends review

Words With Friends is the most social game on this list, which matters for older adults who want a reason to message family. You place words on a crossword-style board in turns, so a game can stretch across days without any time pressure. Challenge friends and relatives directly, or use Smart Match to find an opponent. When you want to play alone, Solo Challenge sets you against WordMaster characters that get tougher as you climb, and Word Wheel is a limited-time anagram mini-game. Daily, weekend and weekly goals earn keys toward Rewards Pass collectibles. Zynga says the game is free to download with optional in-game purchases, including paid random items, and the US App Store lists an Ad Free Bundle at $9.99. The downsides are ads between moves for free players and a busier interface than a plain word puzzle. We compared documented features and listed prices.

Who it is for

Older adults who want a word game that also keeps them in touch with grandchildren and friends.

Price

Free with optional in-game purchases; an Ad Free Bundle is listed at $9.99 on the US App Store.

Ad Free Bundle $9.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Turn-based word games against friends and family
• Smart Match finds an opponent when friends are busy
• Solo Challenge against WordMaster characters
• Word Wheel anagram mini-game
• Daily, weekend and weekly goals with Rewards Pass collectibles

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Social play keeps family in touch between visits
• Strength: Games move at your own pace, one turn at a time
• Strength: Solo modes when nobody else is playing
• Weakness: Ads between moves on the free version
• Weakness: Optional purchases include paid random items
• Weakness: More menus and events than a simple word game

Key facts

• Price: Free to download with optional in-game purchases
• Modes: Friend games, Smart Match, Solo Challenge, Word Wheel
• Ad-free option: Ad Free Bundle at $9.99 on the US App Store
• App Store age rating: 4+

Where it ranks

Words With Friends is No. 6 in our Best Free Games for Seniors verdict and No. 7 in Best Free Word Games for Seniors and No. 2 in Best Free Word Games.