Crossword vs Across Lite
By Across Bind editorial team Current release, published November 29, 2022
Across Lite is the classic Windows crossword solver many people already know. XWord is a GPL-3.0 desktop client with Windows and macOS Releases assets, richer formats, and public source at mrichards42/xword.
Neither product needs a signup for basic offline solving. Choose based on licence, platforms, and format needs. Switch steps: switch from Across Lite.
Licence and source
XWord is GPL-3.0 with source on GitHub. Across Lite is proprietary freeware from Litsoft. If you need auditable source for a lab policy, XWord fits that rule. If you only need the familiar Across Lite window, stay there.
Platforms
XWord ships XWord-Windows.exe and XWord-macOS.zip on the current tag. Linux is source-only on that tag. Across Lite is historically Windows-focused. Confirm current Across Lite platform support on Litsoft pages before you promise a Mac path.
Formats and features
Both open Across Lite .puz files. XWord also documents XPF, jpz, partial ipuz, rebus, diagramless, and Lua packages. Across Lite remains excellent for classic .puz habits. Feature list: XWord README.
Install doors
XWord installs from GitHub Releases with no verified winget or brew id on this review date. Across Lite installs from its vendor site. Prefer each product’s official door. Safe XWord path: download safe.
When Across Lite wins
- You already trained the Across Lite UI
- Policy only allows that familiar Windows tool
- You only need classic .puz files
When XWord wins
- You want GPL-3.0 source
- You need a macOS zip on the same tag family
- You want rebus, diagramless, or jpz/ipuz support
Verdict for this guide
This crossword install map recommends XWord when you want an offline open-source solver with named Releases assets. Keep Across Lite as a fallback during the switch. Releases: releases. First hour: installed.
Across Bind publishes the comparison. Upstream XWord remains independent. Newspaper subscription apps still win for full archives and sync; they are a different job than a local .puz client.
Lab policies that require public source should document XWord’s COPYING file and Releases URL on the machine ticket. Clubs that only care about Monday grids can keep Across Lite without drama. Either way, refuse Softonic mirrors that only rank for the crossword keyword.
Asset names to keep boring
Prefer XWord-Windows.exe on Windows and XWord-macOS.zip on macOS from GitHub Releases for mrichards42/xword. Linux remains a source build on the current tag. Write those names beside the OS version on the machine ticket so the next bump stays honest.
- Windows door: XWord-Windows.exe
- macOS door: XWord-macOS.zip
- Linux door: README build notes only
- Ignore packages_*.lua when you only need the installer
Habits that keep installs clean
Type the GitHub Releases URL yourself. Refuse Softonic-style rename jobs. Prove one local .puz open before Package Manager. Keep Across Lite or a browser board as a labeled fallback during the first week on shared desks.
Travel laptops should download once on trusted network, then solve offline. Classroom images should re-prove File, Open after every reimage. Club volunteers should stop inventing a third download when SmartScreen or Gatekeeper blocks the first honest run.
- One Releases bookmark per profile
- One puzzle folder path on the ticket
- One update door forever
Related paths on this guide
Home install panel: crossword home. Safe download: download safe. Releases map: releases. GitHub overview: GitHub. First hour: installed. Windows detail: install on Windows. macOS detail: install on macOS. Linux source: install on Linux.
Across Bind publishes this map for people who searched for crossword software and need an offline XWord client under GPL-3.0. Upstream remains at mrichards42/xword. Subscription newspaper apps stay optional for archives and are never required for a local .puz habit.
When Releases change which OS assets appear, re-check the live list before you refresh a lab image. Prefer the same tag family across Windows and macOS desks whenever both assets still ship together. That habit reduces confused uninstalls after a reimage weekend.
Verify before you image
Open the live Releases list and confirm the Windows exe and macOS zip still appear on the tag you plan to teach. Prefer that pairing when Windows and macOS desks should stay aligned. Record UNVERIFIED for any command you have not run on a real machine yet.
- Confirm asset names on GitHub Releases
- Pin filenames on the machine ticket
- Prove one local .puz open after imaging
- Keep Softonic mirrors off the bookmark bar