SparkChess vs eChess
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
eChess
Learn and play chess in a fun, accessible way with interactive tutorials and engaging themes. Connect with friends for matches, complete with built-in video chat and special effects.
- Interactive tutorials for learning chess
- Customizable themes from the shop
- Connect and play with friends
- Built-in video chat with special effects
- Fun and easy learning approach
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Inside the eChess game you will explore some great features like learning how to play with the tutorials, getting new and exciting themes in the shop and easily connect and play with your friends. Have fun playing with the built in video-chat with special effects and more. What are you waiting for? Install the game and let the fun begin! eChess is fully packed with a lot of great chess-themes already – and much more to come. Install the game now and experience this new and fun world of eChess together with your friends and family. Enjoy! Chess can sometimes seem a little intimidating, maybe a bit too serious and hard to learn as well! Now just relax and learn chess in a new, easy and most importantly fun way with eChess tutorials. Learn basic rules and learn how the pieces move and use your new skills to play and have a lot of fun! Install the game now to start learning the beautiful game of chess.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: eChess at 100% against SparkChess's 27%. eChess also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.0) and ads (none vs shown). SparkChess's advantage is ratings volume (44 vs 2). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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
Both are free to download. SparkChess sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and eChess sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
eChess holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SparkChess has 44 ratings behind it against 2, 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 100% of eChess's.
SparkChess ships an update every 4 months, eChess every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SparkChess | eChess |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (44 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 26.9% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 44 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 71 MB | 619 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Media Division SRL | eChess AS |
Customer experience
SparkChess
eChess
In-app purchases
SparkChess
- Monthly subscription$2.991 Month
- Yearly subscription$9.991 Year
- Unlock Fantasy Board$0.99
- Unlock Deon$0.99
- Unlock Guru and Alyx$1.99
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- Unlock 3D Board$1.99
- Unlock Advanced Multiplayer$3.99
- Unlock Advanced Features$3.99
- Remove ads$6.99
eChess
- 200 Coins$4.99
- 500 Coins$9.99
- 1000 Coins$16.99
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- 2000 Coins$29.99









