# Square Off Chess vs Chessplode

The clearest difference is ads: Square Off Chess at none against Chessplode's shown. Square Off Chess also leads on ratings volume (3K vs 574). Chessplode's advantage is review sentiment (61% vs 35%). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Square Off Chess sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and Chessplode sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Square Off Chess against 4.5 for Chessplode. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Square Off Chess has 3K ratings behind it against 574, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 35% of Square Off Chess's written reviews are positive against 61% of Chessplode's.

Square Off Chess ships an update every 3 weeks, Chessplode every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Square Off Chess | Chessplode |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/square-off-chess-play-and-learn/id1267805783/reviews) | **[4.5 (574 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessplode/id1439047052/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **3K** | 574 |
| Positive reviews | 35.2% of reviews | **61.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 703 MB | 86 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [InfiVention, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1267805782) | [Juan Manuel Altamirano Argudo](https://appshunter.io/developer/391953849) |

## What reviewers say

### Square Off Chess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/square-off-chess-play-and-learn/id1267805783)

This app offers a comprehensive chess experience for players of all levels. Learn, analyze, and master the game with challenging AI, unlimited game analysis, and online competition. Track your progress and share your gameplay with the world.

**Highlights:** Challenge AI up to ELO 3200+, Adaptive AI that adjusts to your moves, Unlimited game import and analysis, Track performance progress with game history, Live broadcasting of gameplay, Compete online against global players, Thousands of chess puzzles

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 100 Diamonds | $0.99 | one-time |
| 200 Diamonds | $1.99 | one-time |
| 500 Diamonds | $4.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Diamonds | $8.99 | one-time |
| 5000 Diamonds | $29.99 | one-time |
| 10000 Diamonds | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great game
- 👍 Awesome board
- 🚀 Mesmerizing piece movement
- 👍 Well-made product
- 🚀 Impressive engineering

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy app
- 🐛 Freezing issues
- 🐛 Connectivity problems
- 🐛 Unreliable board recognition
- 🔋 Battery drain

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently
- Board loses connection during games
- Piece movements not registered properly
- Firmware update issues
- Incorrect game state tracking

**Requested features**

- Landscape mode for iPad
- Ability to stream games to the board
- More timer options
- Parental controls
- Game history and analysis features


### Chessplode

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessplode/id1439047052)

This app offers a unique twist on chess where capturing a piece causes others in the same line and column to explode. It's designed to be fun and accessible, even for those who aren't skilled at traditional chess, offering both single-player and multiplayer modes.

**Highlights:** Exploding pieces on capture, Real-time multiplayer battles, User-created levels, Local multiplayer mode, AI opponent practice, Customizable color themes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| +100 Undos | $0.99 | one-time |
| Generous Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Massive Tip | $1.99 | one-time |
| INFINITE UNDOS | $1.99 | one-time |
| Amazing Tip | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick gameplay
- 👍 Beautiful and fun game
- 👍 Fantastic and great fun twist on chess
- 👍 Lovely little game
- 👍 Chess with a new challenge

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Won't open or get stuck
- 🐛 Issues with king movement and checkmate detection
- 🐛 Crashes and freezes
- 🐛 AI issues with thinking and repeating moves
- 🐛 Overly difficult, even at easy levels

**Reported bugs**

- Won't open or get stuck on certain screens
- Issues with king movement and checkmate detection
- Crashes and freezes, especially when AI is thinking
- AI issues with thinking and repeating moves

**Requested features**

- Add local multiplayer mode
- Add classic chess mode
- Add more basic puzzles
- Add ability to go back to previous levels
- Add option to remove explosions


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Square Off Chess free?

Square Off Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Chessplode free?

Chessplode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Square Off Chess or Chessplode?

Chessplode is rated higher. Square Off Chess averages 4.4 out of 5 from 3K ratings, while Chessplode averages 4.5 from 574 ratings.

### Do Square Off Chess or Chessplode have ads?

Chessplode shows ads; Square Off Chess does not.

### Which is updated more often, Square Off Chess or Chessplode?

Square Off Chess ships an update every 3 weeks, and Chessplode every 2 weeks. Most recently, Square Off Chess was updated on November 3, 2026 and Chessplode on November 4, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*