Comparison

SparkChess vs Ani Chess 3D

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

Ani Chess 3D

Experience chess with a unique twist! This game features 3D humanoid characters battling it out on the board, offering multiple game modes and AI difficulties. Play against friends or test your skills online.

Highlights
  • 8 unique 3D humanoid chess sets
  • Single player with 3 AI difficulty levels
  • Two player local mode
  • Online play via lichess.org API
  • Casual, rated, and inbox games online
Features
Read full description

Ani Chess is 3D humanoid chess game, cool animation in action, multi game mode. Ani Chess features: - Currently has 8 amazing 3D humanoid chess set: Barbarian, Dwarf, Undead, Orcs, Spartan, Elf, Viking and Kingdom. - Single play with 3 difficult AI levels - Two players Mode - Play online: using lichess.org API to play casual/rated/inbox games.

Screenshots

SparkChess4 screens
Ani Chess 3D4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Ani Chess 3D at none against SparkChess's 9. Ani Chess 3D also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15). SparkChess's advantage is review sentiment (27% vs 0%) and rating (4.0 vs 3.7). 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. Ani Chess 3D asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SparkChess holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SparkChess has 44 ratings behind it against 3, 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 0% of Ani Chess 3D's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SparkChess ships an update every 4 months, Ani Chess 3D every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
SparkChess versus Ani Chess 3D: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSparkChessAni Chess 3D
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (44 ratings) — better3.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews26.9% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings44 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 13 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS1512.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB189 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperMedia Division SRLTIEN TA

Customer experience

SparkChess

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

Ani Chess 3D

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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

Ani Chess 3D

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SparkChess free?
SparkChess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ani Chess 3D free?
Ani Chess 3D is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SparkChess or Ani Chess 3D?
SparkChess is rated higher. SparkChess averages 4.0 out of 5 from 44 ratings, while Ani Chess 3D averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.
Do SparkChess or Ani Chess 3D have ads?
SparkChess shows ads; Ani Chess 3D does not.
Which is updated more often, SparkChess or Ani Chess 3D?
SparkChess ships an update every 4 months, and Ani Chess 3D every 13 months. Most recently, SparkChess was updated on October 22, 2026 and Ani Chess 3D on October 13, 2026.

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