A side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right crossword puzzle maker for your classroom.
| Feature | Gridl | Discovery Education Puzzlemaker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (Pro $15/yr) | Free |
| AI clue generation | Yes | No |
| Live preview | Yes | No |
| Online solving | Yes | No |
| Print / PDF | Yes | Yes |
| Background customization | Yes (patterns + custom upload) | No |
| Puzzle types | Crossword, word search, flash cards, matching, live quiz | 10 types (criss-cross, word search, maze, cryptogram, etc.) |
| Shareable link | Yes | No |
| Access codes | Yes (Pro) | No |
| CSV upload | Yes (Pro) | No |
| Player tracking | Yes (Pro) | No |
Puzzlemaker from Discovery Education is a classroom staple that many teachers have used for years. It offers the widest range of puzzle types of any tool on this list, including formats like mazes, cryptograms, and number blocks that most generators do not support. For teachers who need a quick printable worksheet and do not care about online play, it remains a reliable option. However, the interface has not been updated in a long time, and there is no way to save, share, or solve puzzles online.
Best for: Teachers who need printable worksheets in unusual formats (mazes, cryptograms, number blocks) and do not need online play or sharing.
Gridl is a puzzle maker built for teachers and learners. The crossword builder uses a split-panel layout with live preview, AI-powered clue generation, background customization, and interactive online solving. Beyond crosswords, the same word list can become a word search, flash card deck, matching game, or live quiz.
Discovery Education Puzzlemaker is a solid choice if you need teachers who need printable worksheets in unusual formats (mazes, cryptograms, number blocks) and do not need online play or sharing.
Gridl is the better fit if you want a modern, all-in-one tool with live preview, AI clue generation, multiple puzzle types, and online solving. It is free to start and Pro is $15/year for unlimited access.
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