Best apps like ChessFirst

8+ similar apps compared and reviewed

5.0 avg rating
7 free apps
Updated October 2026

ChessFirst is great, but it's not the only option. Explore 8+ similar apps for iPhone and iPad, each reviewed and rated by real users. Find free alternatives, premium upgrades, and hidden gems.

Top Alternatives to ChessFirst

ЧИТАНИЯ. Учит читать по-русски#2

ЧИТАНИЯ. Учит читать по-русски by UZELKI LLC

обучающий квест для детей
Strong Contender
📚 Education
4.9😊(253 ratings)
$34.99
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This app offers an engaging quest to teach children Russian reading skills. It progresses from recognizing letters to reading phrases, incorporating interactive games and a captivating story to maintain interest and reinforce learning.

What We Love

  • 🎓 Highly effective at teaching children to read Russian
  • 🎨 Beautiful, well-designed graphics and illustrations
  • 🎮 Engaging gamified learning experience with compelling narrative
  • 🧩 Comprehensive curriculum covering letters, syllables, and words
  • 🎵 Pleasant, calming music and voice acting
  • 👶 Intuitive interface that children can navigate independently
  • 📚 Based on proven Zaitsev methodology for reading instruction
  • ⭐ Supports bilingual and heritage language learners effectively
  • 🎯 Progressive difficulty that adapts to child's learning pace
  • 💪 Builds confidence and removes reading anxiety in children
  • 🌟 Multiple game types prevent boredom and maintain engagement
  • ✍️ Teaches letter writing in multiple formats (print and cursive)

Room to Improve

  • 💰 High price point ($20-35) limits accessibility
  • 🐢 Very long progression through letter stage before advancing
  • 😴 Repetitive exercises become tedious for advanced learners
  • 🎭 Evil Wizard character frightens some young children
  • 🔄 No cloud synchronization across devices
  • ⏳ Long wait times between unlocking new content/levels
  • 🎯 Lacks flexibility for children who already know letters
  • 🌍 Some vocabulary and cultural references unfamiliar to non-Russian children
  • 🐛 Occasional freezing and crashing issues
  • 📖 Abrupt jump in difficulty from word building to riddles/proverbs
  • 🎮 Limited content variety after completing main progression
  • ⚙️ No parental controls to skip unnecessary early stages