Comparison

GlowGrid 2 vs Chessplode

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

GlowGrid 2

A strategic tile-matching puzzle game with an 80s arcade aesthetic. Place neon tiles, match groups to score, and plan moves carefully to avoid running out of space. Unlock new tiles and power-ups as you progress through infinite gameplay.

Highlights
  • Neon pixel art and synth soundtrack
  • Strategic tile placement
  • Match groups of four or more tiles
  • Score multipliers and combo amplification
  • Unlock new tiles and power-ups
  • Infinite gameplay with no timer
  • Global scoreboard
Features
Read full description

A new strategic tile-matching game with an old school 80s arcade feel. From the award-winning independent studio behind I Love Hue comes an entirely new take on the classic tile-matching game, with neon pixel art and a synth soundtrack. Place neon-coloured tiles on on the board. Match groups of four tiles to clear them, or match larger groups to multiply your score. Consecutive matches amplify your scoring power! As you progress through the levels you'll have to think more and more carefully to avoid running out of space. But you'll also unlock new tiles, power-ups and bonus pieces to help you master the GlowGrid! IMMERSIVE With no timer and featuring beautiful arcade-influenced artwork and an original synth soundtrack, lose yourself in the soft neon glow of the game. STRATEGIC Plan your moves carefully to build up massive scoring combos! INFINITE The game lasts as long as you can keep spaces available on the board. And with an automatic save function, you can drop in and out of game play as you wish! FEATURES: * A retro aesthetic influenced by iconic 80s arcade games * An original synth soundscape inspired by the classic Yamaha DX7 synthesizer * Beautiful pixel art with a rich neon palette * A clever twist on the tile-matching genre which encourages long-term gameplay and strategic thinking * A global scoreboard - compare your top scores to players from all over the world * Infinite gameplay with no timer - the game will last as long as you can!

About

Chessplode

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
Read full description

Chessplode is modern chess for everyone, it makes chess fun even if you're bad ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, one simply move... can change all game. -- THE MODERN RULE -- Chessplode is pretty much like chess with a really BIG twist... - CAPTURE a piece and everything in the same LINE and COLUMN will EXPLODE... - But if a KING is in that LINE or COLUMN it will be a really *boring* chess capture (no explosions) -- THINK DIFF... *DISTINCT* -- This rule is pretty tricky, in regular chess you need to defend your KING, but in Chessplode it can save your pieces. Remember, you can't capture some pieces because you could get check. Sometimes you will checkmate capturing a piece that explodes. And other you will be afraid of having several pieces in the same line or column...(POP!) -- FRIENDS (Who love chess) REVIEW -- They find Chessplode a great challenge and love how they need to change the old way of thinking even if they are winning... a bad move and they will run out of pieces. -- FRIENDS (Who *meh* chess) REVIEW -- Chess + Explosions... you got my attention. Some of these friends were casual chess players and others didn't really feel the attraction for chess. Both find Chessplode a really fun game. When they were playing regular chess they were not good, now they are the kings of the hill. -- FEATURES -- * FREE TO PLAY * Realtime chess battles multiplayer with people around the world. * In multiplayer you can send an emoji (to express your feelings) with every move you submit. Instant fun! * Play Levels created for other players, you can find really madness here, but you can undo your move... everyone can make a mistake. * Create your own custom Level and submit it to everyone can play it. Challenge the world! * Try local multiplayer battles with friends in the same device. Head to head! * Practice playing versus Ziri. * A lot of different color themes, play day and night with your favourite colors. Thank you for playing "Chessplode"! I really hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it ;) Support: Are you having problems? http://twitter.com/juaxma http://twitter.com/chessplode hello@juan.ma Privacy Policy: http://juan.ma/chessplode/privacypolicy/ AppPreview Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music/track/jazzy-frenchy © Juan Manuel Altamirano Argudo / juan.ma

Screenshots

GlowGrid 24 screens
Chessplode4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: GlowGrid 2 at none against Chessplode's shown. GlowGrid 2 also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 12.0). Chessplode's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (573 vs 151). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases 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. GlowGrid 2 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Chessplode sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GlowGrid 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 151 and 573 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of GlowGrid 2's written reviews are positive against 61% of Chessplode's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GlowGrid 2 ships an update every 2 months, Chessplode every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
GlowGrid 2 versus Chessplode: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGlowGrid 2Chessplode
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (151 ratings) — better4.5 (573 ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better61.2% of reviews
Number of ratings151573 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size41 MB86 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZut Games LtdJuan Manuel Altamirano Argudo

Customer experience

GlowGrid 2

All ratings151 ratings
Positive95.4%
Neutral3.3%
Negative1.3%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral25.0%
Negative8.3%

Chessplode

All ratings573 ratings
Positive88.5%
Neutral3.8%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews67 reviews
Positive61.2%
Neutral9.0%
Negative29.9%

Bugs and requests

GlowGrid 2

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Chessplode

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 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

9 requests
  • 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
Show 4 more
  • Add Repetition end-condition
  • Add Resign button
  • Add themed boards
  • Add online levels and multiplayer

In-app purchases

1 purchases

GlowGrid 2

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$2.99
5 purchases

Chessplode

One-time5
  • +100 Undos$0.99
  • Generous Tip$0.99
  • Massive Tip$1.99
Show 2 more
  • INFINITE UNDOS$1.99
  • Amazing Tip$2.99

Questions

Is GlowGrid 2 free?
GlowGrid 2 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, GlowGrid 2 or Chessplode?
GlowGrid 2 is rated higher. GlowGrid 2 averages 4.7 out of 5 from 151 ratings, while Chessplode averages 4.5 from 573 ratings.
Do GlowGrid 2 or Chessplode have ads?
Chessplode shows ads; GlowGrid 2 does not.
Which is updated more often, GlowGrid 2 or Chessplode?
GlowGrid 2 ships an update every 2 months, and Chessplode every 2 weeks. Most recently, GlowGrid 2 was updated on October 15, 2026 and Chessplode on October 20, 2026.

Other comparisons