Comparison

Shogi for beginners vs Shogi ™

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

Head to head
About

Shogi for beginners

Learn and play Japanese chess with a simplified board option for beginners. Offers both casual play and authentic Shogi experiences.

Highlights
  • Beginner-friendly small board
  • Authentic Shogi gameplay
  • Casual play option
  • Learn Japanese chess
Features
Read full description

Shogi is a Japanese game, like chess. Even beginners can enjoy casually with a small board for beginners. You can also enjoy authentic Shogi.

About

Shogi ™

Experience the strategic depth of Shogi, Japan's version of Chess. This app offers a rich gameplay experience with customizable boards, multiple difficulty levels, and the unique mechanic of redeploying captured pieces. Perfect for both beginners and seasoned players.

Highlights
  • Deploy captured pieces
  • 5 difficulty levels
  • Customizable board editor
  • Timer-driven gameplay
  • Save and load games
  • Tailored sound effects
Features
Read full description

Dive into the Ultimate Shogi Experience! Unearth the magic of Shogi (将棋, shōgi) – Japan's treasure of strategic gameplay, revered as their version of Chess. Engage in thrilling battles on a board where every move tells a story. 'Shōgi', translating to the general's (shō 将) board game (gi 棋), is a testament to its captivating legacy. Witness the unique charm of Shogi: the strategic genius of deploying captured pieces back onto the board, a twist that has captivated enthusiasts since its ancient inception. Endorsed by legendary player Yoshiharu Habu, Shogi isn't just Japan's favorite pastime – it's a masterpiece of art. A symphony that harmonizes seamlessly with the traditional echoes of haiku, tanka, noh, ikebana, and the soulful Japanese tea ceremony. Its illustrious stature is carved by the age-old iemoto system, bolstered by historical shogunate backing. Features that Elevate Your Shogi Adventure: ◆ Crafted Undo: Strategize with freedom! ◆ Game Save/Load: Your game, on your time. ◆ Skill Spectrum: Embark on journeys from beginner to maestro with 5 tailored difficulty levels. ◆ Beat the Clock: Thrill in timer-driven confrontations. ◆ Your Board, Your Rules: Customize with a robust board editor. ◆ Aural Pleasure: Dive deep with tailored sound effects. ◆ Diverse Gameplay: Westernized pieces, multiple piece sets, and board designs to choose from. Join the ranks of Shogi connoisseurs. Immerse in an unparalleled blend of strategy, art, and tradition. Your board awaits.

Screenshots

Shogi for beginners4 screens
Shogi ™4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Shogi ™ at 4.6 against Shogi for beginners's 3.5. Shogi ™ also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (79 vs 19). Shogi for beginners's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 13.0). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and device support 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. Shogi ™ sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Shogi for beginners asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Shogi ™ holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 79 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 35% of Shogi for beginners's written reviews are positive against 41% of Shogi ™'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shogi for beginners ships an update every 10 months, Shogi ™ every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Shogi for beginners versus Shogi ™: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShogi for beginnersShogi ™
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (19 ratings)4.6 (79 ratings) — better
Positive reviews35.3% of reviews41.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1979 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 5 months — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB72 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHAREPPOVM Mobile Team

Customer experience

Shogi for beginners

All ratings19 ratings
Positive63.2%
Neutral5.3%
Negative31.6%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive35.3%
Neutral5.9%
Negative58.8%

Shogi ™

All ratings79 ratings
Positive91.1%
Neutral2.5%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive41.2%
Neutral35.3%
Negative23.5%

In-app purchases

None

Shogi for beginners

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Shogi ™

One-time1
  • Premium$3.99

Questions

Is Shogi for beginners free?
Shogi for beginners is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Shogi ™ free?
Shogi ™ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Shogi for beginners or Shogi ™?
Shogi ™ is rated higher. Shogi for beginners averages 3.5 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Shogi ™ averages 4.6 from 79 ratings.
Do Shogi for beginners or Shogi ™ have ads?
Shogi for beginners shows ads; Shogi ™ does not.
Which is updated more often, Shogi for beginners or Shogi ™?
Shogi for beginners ships an update every 10 months, and Shogi ™ every 5 months. Most recently, Shogi for beginners was updated on September 17, 2026 and Shogi ™ on September 25, 2026.

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