Cluekin vs Taboo: Guess the Word Party Game: which app should you use?

Which is better, Cluekin or Taboo: Guess the Word Party Game?

Choose the official Taboo app if you want the licensed classic with forbidden words on every card and built-in video chat for playing with people in other places; choose Cluekin if your group plays in the same room, wants to set its own timers, pass limits and scoring, and needs a game that works offline on iPhone or Android. Marmalade Game Studio's app has a local party mode for up to 10 players on one device, a free starter deck and paid extra decks. Store reviewers ask for extra time for younger players, skip penalties and a score history, and its listing does not mention offline play. Cluekin lets 2 to 6 teams take turns describing cards against the timer, with family and party modes and an optional kids card pack. Free Cluekin players may see ads; the one-time Complete Pack removes them.

Cluekin and Taboo: Guess the Word Party Game side by side

	Cluekin	Taboo: Guess the Word Party Game
Platforms	iOS, Android	iOS
Price to download	Free to download	$1.99
Store rating	n/a	4.9 (4,723 ratings, 2026-11-02)
Remote play	Same-room play on one phone	Built-in video chat to play together or apart [source]
Local play	2 to 6 teams pass one phone	Local party mode for up to 10 players on one device [source]
House rules	Adjustable timers, pass limits and scoring	Store reviewers ask for extra time for younger players and skip penalties [source]
Offline	Works offline with no account	Not mentioned on the store page [source]
Ads	Free players may see ads; the one-time Complete Pack removes them	Listing calls it ad-free, though its Contains section lists advertising [source]
Decks and pricing	Base cards plus optional $0.99 packs or a one-time Complete Pack (US App Store, Nov 2026)	Paid app with a free starter deck and paid extra decks [source]
Languages	English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish	See the store page

Choose Cluekin if

You play in the same room and want it to work with no signal
You want to set timers, pass limits and scoring for mixed ages
Some players use Android, or you want to play in another language

Choose Taboo: Guess the Word Party Game if

You want the licensed Taboo cards and rules
You want to play over video with friends or family in other places
You want the official app of a game your group already knows

Questions

Is Cluekin the same as Taboo?

No. Cluekin is a separate describe-the-word team game made by ODEL. The official Taboo app is published by Marmalade Game Studio.

Can we play the Taboo app offline?

Its store listing does not mention offline play. Cluekin works offline and needs no account.

Which is better for kids?

Cluekin has a family mode, an optional Child Cards Pack and adjustable timers and pass limits for younger players. Taboo app reviewers ask for extra time for younger players.