Comparison

SparkChess vs Chess Online·

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

Head to head
About

SparkChess

This chess game offers a fun and accessible experience for players of all skill levels. Enjoy various boards, computer opponents, and online multiplayer. Learn with interactive lessons, solve puzzles, and study historical games.

Highlights
  • Practice against computer or friends
  • Multiple board styles (2D, 3D, fantasy)
  • Interactive chess lessons
  • Chess puzzles and historical game study
  • Virtual Chess Coach
  • Multiplayer progress tracking
  • Save and replay games
Features
Read full description

SparkChess is the only chess game that puts fun first. With a choice of boards, computer opponents, puzzles, and online multiplayer, it delivers a first-class experience that is as accessible to experts as it is to beginners, kids and anyone else who wants to discover how entertaining this strategy game really is. The chess game that everyone can enjoy! Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Too many chess apps are impossible for anyone but the experts. The real test of a truly intelligent chess game isn’t how hard it is to beat, but how well it can adapt to players of all skill levels. That’s exactly what makes the award-winning SparkChess stand out. Whether you’re brand new to the chess board, looking to to improve your game, to teach your kids to play, or are ready to take it to the next challenging level, everyone can find the perfect balance in SparkChess. FEATURES * Practice chess against the computer or challenge your friends in multiplayer. * Climb the Puzzle Journey: 50 levels across five rating tiers, from Beginner to Master or race the clock in Puzzle Rush / Survival with over 2000 puzzles to choose from. * A simple user interface that makes it easy to set up and play games. * Choose from different boards: 2D, 3D, fantasy, or even Ninjas vs Vikings. * Play casual, quick or expert games, depending on your level. * Learn chess with over 30 interactive lessons. * Learn and practice common openings and their variations (over 100 in total). * A Virtual Chess Coach explains the consequences of your moves. * The only chess game that appeals to beginners and experts alike. * Track your multiplayer progress with statistics. * Create and join teams. * Save and replay your games. * Import/Export games in PGN format, edit the board, draw arrows for screencasts, and more. * Watch and comment on live multiplayer games. * Child-safe design, with anti-abuse measures built-in. * Large and friendly community of chess lovers from all over the world. Young or old, beginner or advanced, SparkChess gives you the extra edge to become a better chess player while having fun! REVIEWS - “SparkChess provides deep, intelligent gameplay… [Its] multiplayer offerings are just as impressive.” ~ MaximumPC.com, app of the week. - “A great educational tool for aspiring grandmasters.” ~ Gamezebo review - “SparkChess is a beautiful chess game.” ~ Softpedia, 4/5 review - “One of the most immersive online chess experiences.” ~ The Chess Advisor - “SparkChess seems worth it for the free version.” ~ dotTech review - “SparkChess is a very friendly program.” ~ Chessengeria - “very good levels to play, each level presenting a nice challenge.” ~ Richard’s Game Reviews, 4/5 - No. 1 “favorite paid Chrome Web Store app” in The Independent’s January 2011 roundup.

About

Chess Online·

Engage in classic chess matches against friends or a challenging AI. Save your progress and resume games later. Offers multiple AI difficulty levels for varied gameplay.

Highlights
  • Unlimited free games
  • Play against AI
  • Play against friends
  • Multiple AI difficulty levels
  • Save game progress
  • Pass-and-play mode
Features
Read full description

Chess by Solitaire Games Free is the best New chess game on the App Store! Challenge your friends to a classic game of chess or play against the computer. Can you beat all the levels of difficulty? Features of Chess: - Play UNLIMITED free games - Challenge the AI or a friend - AI has multiple levels of difficulty - Save game progress and continue later - Pass-and-play against friends with option to flip board every move

Screenshots

SparkChess4 screens
Chess Online·4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Chess Online· at none against SparkChess's 9. Chess Online· also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). SparkChess's advantage is rating (4.0 vs 3.5) and review sentiment (27% vs 4%). On price and device support 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. SparkChess sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Chess Online· asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SparkChess holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess Online· has 328 ratings behind it against 44, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of SparkChess's written reviews are positive against 4% of Chess Online·'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SparkChess ships an update every 4 months, Chess Online· every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
SparkChess versus Chess Online·: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSparkChessChess Online·
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (44 ratings) — better3.5 (328 ratings)
Positive reviews26.9% of reviews — better3.9% of reviews
Number of ratings44328 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS159.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB141 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMedia Division SRLSolitaire Games Free

Customer experience

SparkChess

All ratings44 ratings
Positive77.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.7%
Written reviews26 reviews
Positive26.9%
Neutral15.4%
Negative57.7%

Chess Online·

All ratings328 ratings
Positive59.1%
Neutral7.3%
Negative33.5%
Written reviews77 reviews
Positive3.9%
Neutral6.5%
Negative89.6%

Bugs and requests

SparkChess

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Chess Online·

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • AI makes illegal moves (castling through check, moving into check)
  • Queens placed on incorrect color squares
  • Castling not recognized as legal move
  • En passant not implemented
  • Pawns cannot capture pieces correctly
Show 7 more
  • Game prevents legal moves without reason
  • Stalemate incorrectly declared when player can win
  • Move gets stuck on last action, cannot proceed
  • App accesses clipboard without user interaction
  • Multiplayer matchmaking fails to find opponents
  • Pawns only promote to queen, no other options
  • Difficulty settings don't scale properly

Requested features

10 requests
  • Place ads only at game start/end, not during gameplay
  • Add premium option to remove advertisements
  • Improve AI to follow all chess rules correctly
  • Better color scheme for board and pieces
  • Add animation to piece movements
Show 5 more
  • Implement en passant rule
  • Enable castling functionality
  • Add chess puzzles feature
  • Improve piece promotion options beyond queen only
  • Add undo/move retraction feature

In-app purchases

9 purchases

SparkChess

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly subscription$2.991 Month
  • Yearly subscription$9.991 Year
One-time7
  • Unlock Fantasy Board$0.99
  • Unlock Deon$0.99
  • Unlock Guru and Alyx$1.99
Show 4 more
  • Unlock 3D Board$1.99
  • Unlock Advanced Multiplayer$3.99
  • Unlock Advanced Features$3.99
  • Remove ads$6.99
None

Chess Online·

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SparkChess free?
SparkChess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Chess Online· free?
Chess Online· is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SparkChess or Chess Online·?
SparkChess is rated higher. SparkChess averages 4.0 out of 5 from 44 ratings, while Chess Online· averages 3.5 from 328 ratings.
Do SparkChess or Chess Online· have ads?
SparkChess shows ads; Chess Online· does not.
Which is updated more often, SparkChess or Chess Online·?
SparkChess ships an update every 4 months, and Chess Online· every 3 weeks. Most recently, SparkChess was updated on October 24, 2026 and Chess Online· on October 20, 2026.

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