# Checkmate vs SakuttoSteps

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Checkmate at none against SakuttoSteps's 1. Checkmate also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). SakuttoSteps's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SakuttoSteps sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Checkmate asks for nothing beyond the download.

Checkmate ships an update every 2 months, SakuttoSteps every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Checkmate | SakuttoSteps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Size | 47 MB | 33 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [NIHON SOFTEC K.K.](https://appshunter.io/developer/958392233) | [SHACHIHOKO LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/6811272143) |

## What reviewers say

### Checkmate

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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### SakuttoSteps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sakuttosteps/id6816668678)

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $8.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Checkmate free?

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

### Is SakuttoSteps free?

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

### Do Checkmate or SakuttoSteps have ads?

SakuttoSteps shows ads; Checkmate does not.

### Which is updated more often, Checkmate or SakuttoSteps?

Checkmate ships an update every 2 months, and SakuttoSteps every 10 days. Most recently, Checkmate was updated on October 16, 2026 and SakuttoSteps on October 17, 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.*