# Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf vs Plain Chess

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf at 27K against Plain Chess's 6. Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid) and chart position (#106 vs unranked). Plain Chess's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks) and review sentiment (100% vs 82%). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Plain Chess sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf against 4.8 for Plain Chess. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf has 27K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 82% of Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf's written reviews are positive against 100% of Plain Chess's.

Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf ships an update every 3 weeks, Plain Chess every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf | Plain Chess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (27K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-chess-with-dr-wolf/id1353041020/reviews)** | [4.8 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plain-chess-play-and-learn/id6770610908/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **27K** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 81.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#106** | — |
| Size | 111 MB | 117 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Chess.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/329218552) | [Cerebra Enterprises, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896757537) |

## What reviewers say

### Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-chess-with-dr-wolf/id1353041020)

**Currently charting:** #106 Top Grossing · Board, #175 Top Free · Strategy (US App Store)

This app provides personalized chess coaching with interactive lessons and audible guidance. It helps beginners and intermediate players understand strategies, correct mistakes, and learn chess vocabulary. Choose from different coach personalities for a tailored learning experience.

**Highlights:** Personalized AI coaching, Audible explanations, 50+ interactive lessons, Mistake correction, Multiple coach personalities, Adaptive difficulty

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dr. Wolf Coaching - Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| Dr. Wolf Coaching - Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| Dr. Wolf Coaching - Individual | $5.99 | per month |
| Dr. Wolf Coaching - Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Dr. Wolf Coaching - Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Dr. Wolf Coaching - Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Dr. Wolf Coaching - Individual | $39.99 | per year |
| Dr. Wolf Coaching - Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Dr. Wolf Coaching - Family | $49.99 | per year |
| 30 Days of Coaching | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Well-thought-out app
- 🚀 Great teaching tool
- 🤖 Friendly and encouraging AI coach
- 💡 Unique interface and gameplay
- 🎓 Helpful lessons and training

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Incorrect move suggestions
- 🤔 Lack of explanations for best moves
- 💰 Subscription-based model
- 🤖 AI can play suboptimally at times
- 🔍 Limited visibility of captured pieces

**Reported bugs**

- Freezing or crashing when switching between apps
- Subscription status not syncing across devices

**Requested features**

- More detailed explanations for suggested moves
- Additional difficulty levels between beginner and expert
- Ability to practice specific openings
- Option to review full game history
- Accessibility features for visually impaired users


### Plain Chess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plain-chess-play-and-learn/id6770610908)

Enjoy offline chess matches on your iPhone without ads or accounts. Play against the computer, a friend, or use the AI Coach for strategic advice. Perfect for learning, practicing, or quick games.

**Highlights:** Offline chess play, Play against computer, Pass-and-play multiplayer, AI Coach explanations, Saved games, No ads or account required

**Features:** Family Sharing, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plain Chess Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Plain Chess Annual | $39.99 | per year |
| Plain Chess Family | $69.99 | per year |
| 25 AI Coach Answers | $2.99 | one-time |
| 10 AI Coach Credits | $2.99 | one-time |
| 75 AI Coach Answers | $7.99 | one-time |
| 30 AI Coach Credits | $7.99 | one-time |
| 250 AI Coach Answers | $19.99 | one-time |
| 100 AI Coach Credits | $19.99 | one-time |
| Plain Chess Lifetime | $99.00 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf free?

Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Plain Chess free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf or Plain Chess?

Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf is rated higher. Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf averages 4.8 out of 5 from 27K ratings, while Plain Chess averages 4.8 from 6 ratings.

### Do Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf or Plain Chess have ads?

Neither Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf nor Plain Chess shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf or Plain Chess?

Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf ships an update every 3 weeks, and Plain Chess every 4 days. Most recently, Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf was updated on November 7, 2026 and Plain Chess on November 5, 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.*