Comparison

Chessify vs BlackOut ™

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

Head to head
About

Chessify

This app offers advanced chess analysis tools, including a real-time chessboard scanner, powerful cloud-based engines, and a unique video finder. Analyze games, puzzles, and learn chess theory with comprehensive features for players of all levels.

Highlights
  • Real chessboard scanner
  • Superfast cloud chess engine analysis
  • Video finder for chess positions
  • Offline play against Stockfish
  • Opening Explorer with Lichess database
  • Import/export FEN/PGN
  • Online real-time Blitz
Features
Read full description

Chessify is an all-in-one chess platform built for players who want to improve with professional-level chess tools. Analyze with powerful cloud engines running on servers up to 1024 threads and 1 Billion NPS speed, explore databases of 12 million+ professional games, scan real chessboards and books, prepare openings, and review games from anywhere. Features that once required heavy desktop software are now available in a single mobile app designed for players of all levels. Whether you’re solving puzzles, training openings, or analyzing tournament games, Chessify combines advanced chess tools into one fast and easy-to-use experience. Features: ZIUK — YOUR AI CHESS ASSISTANT Ziuk is your AI chess assistant that helps you analyze games, understand positions, learn from mistakes, and explore openings. Unlike traditional chess engines that show you the best moves and evaluations, Ziuk explains the ideas behind them. Ask questions in your own language and get explanations that help you understand the game. Ziuk combines artificial intelligence, powerful chess engines, and Chessify’s analysis tools in one conversation. Connect your Chess.com or Lichess account to import your games and analyze them with Ziuk. - Powerful Cloud Engine Analysis Analyze with Stockfish 18, Lc0, Berserk, Caissa, Crystal, Patricia, Viridithas, AsmFish, ShashChess, Koivisto, RubiChess, and Sugar AI chess engines on cloud servers with up to 1024 threads, reaching up to 1BN/s speed. - Mega Database Search through 10 million+ professional FIDE-rated games with move statistics, player ratings, and opening trends. - Correspondence Chess Database Study the 2 Million+ official ICCF database games played with deep engine-assisted preparation. - Scan 2D & 3D Chessboards Scan real boards and diagrams from books or screens with high accuracy and instantly analyze the position with Stockfish 18. - Chess PDF Scanner Import chess PDF books and scan positions directly from pages for quick analysis and study. - Play Against Stockfish Challenge one of the world’s strongest chess engines with adjustable strength settings. Play from initial or any given position. - PGN & Move Notation Create analysis files with multiple variations and comments or import your existing files and review them with your phone at any time. - Save Games & Analysis Store your games, analysis, and studies locally or in the cloud and access them anytime. - Import, Export, and Share PGN/FEN Easily import your games or export positions and analysis to share with chess friends or students. Whether you’re a beginner, club player, coach, or grandmaster, Chessify provides powerful analysis and training tools for every stage of your chess journey. Privacy Policy: https://chessify.me/privacy-policy Terms of Use / End User License Agreement (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

BlackOut ™

Features
Read full description

BlackOut The goal is simple: turn off all the lights in the fewest moves possible. Every time you press a button, it toggles the selected light and the ones next to it, up, down, left, and right. Clear all the lights, and you’re on to the next challenge! With 30 unique levels, each more challenging than the last, this game will keep puzzle enthusiasts hooked. If you’re a fan of brain-teasing puzzles, this game is a must-have!

Screenshots

Chessify4 screens
BlackOut ™4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BlackOut ™ at none against Chessify's 4. Chessify's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (monthly vs every 12 months). On price 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. Chessify sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. BlackOut ™ asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chessify ships an update monthly, BlackOut ™ every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Chessify versus BlackOut ™: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChessifyBlackOut ™
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (398 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews48.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings398 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 12 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size140 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChessify Inc.Claudio Souza Mattos

Bugs and requests

Chessify

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Black screen in camera view during scanning
  • Scanning omits first or last rank of board
  • App crashes when loading images
  • Buttons not clickable on certain iOS versions
  • Position not recognized from screenshots
Show 7 more
  • App closes immediately after opening
  • Board rotation lock resets to landscape
  • Analysis not visible unless switching apps
  • Scanning fails 3 out of 5 times
  • Subscription billing issues (wrong tier shown)
  • App doesn't load past starting screen
  • Photo library order reversed for board photos

Requested features

12 requests
  • Add move comments and annotations capability
  • Board flip option during gameplay
  • Auto-save functionality to prevent position loss
  • Ability to edit and extend saved games
  • Tactics puzzle mode with move verification
Show 7 more
  • Automatic analysis on position scan
  • Lc0 engine option
  • iPad version support
  • Lichess app integration
  • Move sound toggle persistence
  • Better indication of which side has advantage
  • Depth control for analysis (stop at specific depth)

BlackOut ™

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Chessify

Subscriptions1
  • Amateur Plan — Monthly$9.991 Month
One-time3
  • Starter Pack$5.99
  • Popular Pack$29.49
  • Ultimate Pack$117.99
None

BlackOut ™

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chessify free?
Chessify is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BlackOut ™ free?
BlackOut ™ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Chessify or BlackOut ™ have ads?
BlackOut ™ shows ads; Chessify does not.
Which is updated more often, Chessify or BlackOut ™?
Chessify ships an update monthly, and BlackOut ™ every 12 months. Most recently, Chessify was updated on November 13, 2026 and BlackOut ™ on November 8, 2026.

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