# Checkmate vs Paint Links

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Checkmate at none against Paint Links's 1. Checkmate also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Paint Links sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per month. Checkmate asks for nothing beyond the download.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Checkmate | Paint Links |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Size | 47 MB | 110 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [NIHON SOFTEC K.K.](https://appshunter.io/developer/958392233) | [INTO, K.K.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1694267301) |

## What reviewers say

### Checkmate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/checkmate/id1370269290)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Paint Links

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paint-links/id6450660802)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $1.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Checkmate free?

Checkmate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Paint Links free?

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

### Do Checkmate or Paint Links have ads?

Neither Checkmate nor Paint Links shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Checkmate or Paint Links?

Checkmate ships an update every 2 months, and Paint Links every 2 months. Most recently, Checkmate was updated on November 2, 2026 and Paint Links on November 3, 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.*