# The Backgammon vs Backgammon Stars

The clearest difference is rating: Backgammon Stars at 4.2 against The Backgammon's 2.3. Backgammon Stars also leads on review sentiment (26% vs 8%) and ratings volume (600 vs 64). The Backgammon's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 11). On price, update cadence, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Backgammon Stars sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. The Backgammon asks for nothing beyond the download.

Backgammon Stars holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backgammon Stars has 600 ratings behind it against 64, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 8% of The Backgammon's written reviews are positive against 26% of Backgammon Stars's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 2, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Backgammon | Backgammon Stars |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.3 (64 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-backgammon/id1436665047/reviews) | **[4.2 (600 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-stars-board-game/id1439149297/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 64 | **600** |
| Positive reviews | 8.1% of reviews | **26.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 324 MB | 235 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [UNBALANCE Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/358617691) | [Dgton Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1466773826) |

## What reviewers say

### The Backgammon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-backgammon/id1436665047)

Engage in classic backgammon matches online against players worldwide or offline against an AI with adjustable difficulty. Enhance your skills with detailed game analysis and practice tools. Enjoy a free, feature-rich experience with customizable rules and visually appealing boards.

**Highlights:** Online multiplayer games, Offline AI opponent, 5 difficulty levels, Rating and ranking system, Match replay and review, Customizable rules, Hint facility

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good for learning the game
- 👍 Pleasant interface and display
- 👍 Efficient matching
- 👍 Good for casual players
- 👍 Can be played for free

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😠 Overwhelmingly negative sentiment due to rigged dice
- 😠 Excessive and intrusive ads
- 😠 Dice rolls are not random
- 😠 AI favors the computer
- 😠 Unfair advantage for higher-rated players

**Reported bugs**

- Ads block the game board
- Ads won't go away, requiring app restart
- Game freezes frequently
- App crashes and closes unexpectedly
- Game rolls back after restart

**Requested features**

- Option to buy a version with no ads
- Improve sound settings (separate BGM and SFX)
- Add a chat option for online play
- Improve controls and piece manipulation
- Option to choose dice button position


### Backgammon Stars

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-stars-board-game/id1439149297)

Experience the classic board game with realistic 3D graphics and intuitive controls. Play against friends or players worldwide in real-time matches, track your progress with detailed statistics, and join leagues for competitive play. Enjoy a modern chat system and animated emojis to enhance your gaming experience.

**Highlights:** Realistic 3D dice and gameplay, Real-time multiplayer matches, Detailed player statistics, Friends list and chat system, Spectator mode, Rewarded quests and bonuses, Leagues and tournaments

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Coin Pack 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Beat The King - King Henry | $0.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Beat The King - King Charles | $1.99 | one-time |
| Beat The King - King George | $2.99 | one-time |
| Beat The King - Queen | $3.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack 3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Custom King 2 | $7.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack 4 | $10.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack 5 | $25.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack 6 | $119.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast gameplay
- 👍 Enjoyable graphics
- 💡 Ability to play with friends

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent glitches and freezes
- 🎲 Dice rolls appear non-random
- 💰 Manipulative monetization tactics
- 🤖 Suspected use of bots/unfair algorithms

**Reported bugs**

- Game freezes during opponent's turn
- Notifications required to play
- Compatibility issues on older devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to block certain players
- More fair and random dice generation
- Improved matchmaking system


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Backgammon free?

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

### Is Backgammon Stars free?

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

### Which has better reviews, The Backgammon or Backgammon Stars?

Backgammon Stars is rated higher. The Backgammon averages 2.3 out of 5 from 64 ratings, while Backgammon Stars averages 4.2 from 600 ratings.

### Do The Backgammon or Backgammon Stars have ads?

Both The Backgammon and Backgammon Stars show ads.

### Which is updated more often, The Backgammon or Backgammon Stars?

The Backgammon ships an update every 2 months, and Backgammon Stars every 2 months. Most recently, The Backgammon was updated on September 2, 2026 and Backgammon Stars on September 26, 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.*