# Formalize vs Chess Shield

The clearest difference is price: Chess Shield at Free against Formalize's $1.99. Chess Shield also leads on rating (3.7 vs 2.6) and update cadence (weekly vs every 9 months). Formalize's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (10 vs 3). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Chess Shield is free to download; Formalize costs $1.99 up front. Chess Shield sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Formalize asks for nothing beyond the download.

Chess Shield holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 2.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of Formalize's written reviews are positive against 50% of Chess Shield's.

Formalize ships an update every 9 months, Chess Shield weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Formalize | Chess Shield |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [2.6 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/formalize/id1293129912/reviews) | **[3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-shield/id6772290132/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **10** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Freemium** |
| Size | 51 MB | 53 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ben Hambrecht](https://appshunter.io/developer/1035136614) | [Alejandro Trevino Saldana](https://appshunter.io/developer/6772290134) |

## What reviewers say

### Formalize

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/formalize/id1293129912)

Type mathematical equations and symbols directly on your iPhone or iPad. This keyboard extension offers intuitive one-handed access to over 100 symbols, producing professionally typeset formulas. Easily export your creations as PNG or TeX to use in any app.

**Highlights:** Mathematical keyboard extension, Over 100 symbols, One-handed operation, Professionally typeset formulas, PNG export, TeX export

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Chess Shield

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-shield/id6772290132)

This app helps chess players improve by blocking distracting apps and replacing them with chess puzzles. Solve puzzles to advance your ELO and identify tactical weaknesses. It offers a free tier with basic features and a Pro version for advanced tactics and unlimited app blocking.

**Highlights:** Blocks distracting apps, Replaces app opens with chess puzzles, Puzzles matched to ELO, Tracks ELO in real-time, Tactical insights, Unlimited puzzles (Free), Block multiple apps (Pro)

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Chess Shield Pro | $4.99 | per month |
| Chess Shield Pro | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Formalize free?

Formalize costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Chess Shield free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Formalize or Chess Shield?

Chess Shield is rated higher. Formalize averages 2.6 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Chess Shield averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do Formalize or Chess Shield have ads?

Neither Formalize nor Chess Shield shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Formalize or Chess Shield?

Formalize ships an update every 9 months, and Chess Shield weekly. Most recently, Formalize was updated on September 14, 2026 and Chess Shield on September 20, 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.*