SparkChess vs Serene Chess
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.
Serene Chess
Engage in deep chess play with a powerful engine and thousands of tactics puzzles. Analyze your games with detailed reviews and practice specific chess concepts. Enjoy a calm, offline experience with no ads or data collection.
- Tunable chess engine opponent
- Thousands of tactics puzzles
- Detailed game review and analysis
- Offline play with no account required
- Practice specific chess tactics
- Calm and distraction-free interface
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Serene Chess is a calm space for deep play: a strong engine, four thousand tactics puzzles, and a review that shows you where the game actually turned. Everything works offline, with no account, no ads, and no data collected. PLAY • A tunable opponent, from a gentle club player to full strength • Three playing styles: Defender, Balanced, Aggressor • Hints, takebacks, draw offers, resignation, and PGN sharing • Your opening named as you play it, from the standard ECO tables PUZZLES • 4,000 tactics puzzles bundled in the app and playable anywhere • Four difficulty bands, from Gentle to Severe • Choose the idea you want to practise: forks, pins, skewers, deflection, back-rank mates, endgames • A new puzzle every day, with streaks and honest progress REVIEW • The engine walks back through your finished game, move by move • Accuracy for both sides, and the moments that decided the result • See what the engine would have played instead • Tap any moment to jump straight to that position on the board QUIET BY DESIGN Soft wood tones, an evaluation bar you can switch off, gentle haptics, and a dark mode that stays dark. Nothing flashes, nothing nags, nothing is sold to you. Stockfish runs entirely on your device. No account, no network, no analytics: your games never leave your phone.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Serene Chess at 5.0 against SparkChess's 4.0. Serene Chess also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 9) and ads (none vs shown). SparkChess's advantage is ratings volume (44 vs 1). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. Serene Chess asks for nothing beyond the download.
Serene Chess 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 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
| Parameter | SparkChess | Serene Chess |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (44 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 26.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 44 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | — |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 71 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Media Division SRL | William Alston |
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
Serene Chess
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SparkChess free?
Is Serene Chess free?
Which has better reviews, SparkChess or Serene Chess?
Do SparkChess or Serene Chess have ads?
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