Comparison

Chess Tablebase for Stockfish vs ChessScan

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Chess Tablebase for Stockfish

Manage chess endgame tablebase files for enhanced analysis. Seamlessly import files into a Stockfish chess app to instantly determine win or draw outcomes for specific positions. Includes pre-installed 5-men tablebase files and instructions for importing your own.

Highlights
  • Manage chess endgame tablebase files
  • Import files into SmallFish app
  • Query endgame positions for win/draw
  • Includes pre-installed 5-men tablebases
  • Instructions for importing custom files
  • Enhances Stockfish engine performance
Features
Read full description

Chess Tablebase for Stockfish is a file management app for managing chess endgame tablebases. Seamlessly integrating with the SmallFish iOS chess app for Stockfish, it enables you to import your tablebase files into the SmallFish app, which operates on the latest Stockfish AI. Additionally, you can query specific endgame positions to determine if they result in a win or a draw. This app provides the answers you need. Download this app to import the pre-installed 5-men tablebase files, you may also import your own tablebase files. The app has the instructions that you can follow. --------------------- TABLEBASE BUNDLE --------------------- This app bundles all 5-men chess tablebase piece configurations. You may also want to download 6-men tablebase files . ----------------- REQUIREMENTS ----------------- This app is a 1GB download. You will need the following if you want to run tablebase with Stockfish on your iOS device: - 1GB disk space for this app - The SmallFish chess app - running the Stockfish engine - Another 1GB disk space to process the tablebase files -------------- DESCRIPTION -------------- Chess endgame tablebase is a vast database containing pre-calculated, exhaustive analyses of chess endgame positions. It can instantly determine whether your position is a win, loss, or draw without the need for lengthy analysis. This app is ideal for enhancing your Stockfish engine's analytical performance. The tablebase included with this app can provide an approximate 50 ELO improvement to the Stockfish engine, making it highly recommended for all serious chess players.

About

ChessScan

Instantly digitize handwritten chess scoresheets using AI-powered OCR. Photograph your scoresheet to convert it into PGN notation for analysis and sharing. Review moves on an interactive board with engine analysis.

Highlights
  • AI-powered OCR for scoresheets
  • Convert handwriting to PGN
  • Interactive board review
  • Stockfish engine analysis
  • Multi-page support
  • PGN export and import
Read full description

ChessScan instantly digitizes your handwritten chess scoresheets using AI-powered OCR. Simply photograph your scoresheet after a tournament game and ChessScan converts it into standard PGN notation — ready to review, analyze, and share. How It Works Scan your scoresheet with your iPhone camera AI reads your handwriting and extracts every move Review moves on an interactive chess board Get Stockfish engine analysis for every position Save, export, or share your game Powerful Features • AI-Powered OCR — Accurately reads handwritten moves from all standard scoresheet formats • Multi-Page Support — Scan scoresheets that span multiple pages and combine them into a single game • Interactive Board — Step through your game move by move on a full chess board with piece animations • Stockfish Analysis — See the best move for every position with real-time engine evaluation • Move Validation — Automatic detection of illegal or ambiguous moves with easy correction tools • Game Annotations — Add voice or text commentary to any move for coaching or personal review • PGN Export — Copy or share your game in standard PGN format compatible with Lichess, Chess.com, and all major platforms • Cloud Sync — Your games are saved securely and accessible across devices • Game Sharing — Share games with friends, students, or coaches via link or QR code • PGN Import — Import existing PGN files to review and analyze Subscription Plans • Free — 10 scans per year, 2 saved games • Standard — 100 scans per year, 50 saved games, cloud sync • Premium — Unlimited scans, unlimited storage, all features ChessScan is built for tournament players, chess coaches, and anyone who plays over-the-board chess. Stop losing your game history — digitize every scoresheet and build your personal chess library. Get instant analysis of your tournament game without need to export to Chess.com or Lichess. Share your analysis and annotations with easily with your opponent, coach, or mentor. Privacy: Your games are stored securely using Firebase. We do not sell or share your personal data. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://chessscan.app/privacy.html

Screenshots

Chess Tablebase for Stockfish4 screens
ChessScan4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Chess Tablebase for Stockfish at 83% against ChessScan's 0%. Chess Tablebase for Stockfish also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 4). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ChessScan sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Chess Tablebase for Stockfish asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Chess Tablebase for Stockfish holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess Tablebase for Stockfish has 21 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Chess Tablebase for Stockfish's written reviews are positive against 0% of ChessScan's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess Tablebase for Stockfish ships an update fortnightly, ChessScan every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Chess Tablebase for Stockfish versus ChessScan: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChess Tablebase for StockfishChessScan
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (21 ratings) — better4.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings21 — better3
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS14.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size944 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTed WongEugene Chan

Customer experience

Chess Tablebase for Stockfish

All ratings21 ratings
Positive95.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

ChessScan

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Chess Tablebase for Stockfish

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

ChessScan

Subscriptions4
  • ChessScan Standard$4.991 Month
  • ChessScan Premium$7.991 Month
  • ChessScan Standard (Annual)$39.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • ChessScan Premium (Annual)$59.991 Year

Questions

Is Chess Tablebase for Stockfish free?
Chess Tablebase for Stockfish is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ChessScan free?
ChessScan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Chess Tablebase for Stockfish or ChessScan?
Chess Tablebase for Stockfish is rated higher. Chess Tablebase for Stockfish averages 4.8 out of 5 from 21 ratings, while ChessScan averages 4.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Chess Tablebase for Stockfish or ChessScan have ads?
Neither Chess Tablebase for Stockfish nor ChessScan shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chess Tablebase for Stockfish or ChessScan?
Chess Tablebase for Stockfish ships an update fortnightly, and ChessScan every 8 months. Most recently, Chess Tablebase for Stockfish was updated on November 11, 2026 and ChessScan on November 13, 2026.

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