Looking for a Free Alternative to NYT Connections?

If you're searching for a free NYT Connections alternative or a different take on categorization puzzles, Ponder Club offers Common Three—a free daily Venn diagram puzzle with no paywall or subscription, perfect for puzzle enthusiasts who love word categorization games.

Updated August 9, 2026 · by Calli & Eden, Flying Comet Games

Play today's Common Three puzzle · Browse Common Three puzzles

Why Common Three is a great NYT Connections alternative

• Free forever: no paywall, no subscription.
• New puzzle daily at midnight Pacific Time.
• Unique format: 7 words placed into a 3-circle Venn diagram — overlaps are the puzzle (Connections groups 16 words into 4 flat categories).
• Forgiving: 5 mistakes allowed vs Connections' 4.
• Shareable results and a free archive.

FAQ

Is Common Three really free?

Yes. Every daily puzzle and the full archive are free, with no subscription. There's one optional one-time purchase that removes ads forever — that's the entire business model.

How is Common Three different from NYT Connections?

Connections asks you to group 16 words into 4 flat categories. Common Three gives you 7 words and a 3-circle Venn diagram — the overlaps are the puzzle — with 5 mistakes allowed.

When does a new Common Three puzzle come out?

Every day at midnight Pacific Time.

Who makes Common Three?

Calli and Eden, a two-person indie team at Flying Comet Games.

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