# Counter Tactics vs Explosive Chess

The clearest difference is price: Counter Tactics at Free against Explosive Chess's $2.99. Counter Tactics also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Explosive Chess's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 weeks). On ads there is nothing between them.

Counter Tactics is free to download; Explosive Chess costs $2.99 up front. Counter Tactics sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Explosive Chess asks for nothing beyond the download.

Counter Tactics ships an update every 3 weeks, Explosive Chess every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Counter Tactics | Explosive Chess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $2.99 |
| Rating | **[5.0 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/counter-tactics/id1110597339/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **17** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 222 MB | 16 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Steven Silvey](https://appshunter.io/developer/1110597338) | [Jason Fawley](https://appshunter.io/developer/6809999416) |

## What reviewers say

### Counter Tactics

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/counter-tactics/id1110597339)

Engage in asynchronous, turn-based PvP battles where strategic planning and clever use of a unique Battle Stack system are key to victory. Collect tokens, customize your playstyle, and climb seasonal ranked ladders. Practice in tutorials or challenge friends worldwide.

**Highlights:** Asynchronous tactical PvP battles, Unique Battle Stack system, Turn-based combat, Seasonal ranked progression, Token collection and combos, Single-player training modes, Challenge friends

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Crystal Pack - 50 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Crystal Pack - 150 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Crystal Pack - 300 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Crystal Pack - 750 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Crystal Pack - 2000 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Crystal Pack - 50000 | $99.99 | one-time |


### Explosive Chess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explosive-chess/id6809999414)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Counter Tactics free?

Counter Tactics is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Explosive Chess free?

Explosive Chess costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Counter Tactics or Explosive Chess have ads?

Neither Counter Tactics nor Explosive Chess shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Counter Tactics or Explosive Chess?

Counter Tactics ships an update every 3 weeks, and Explosive Chess every 2 days. Most recently, Counter Tactics was updated on October 5, 2026 and Explosive Chess on October 9, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*