# Chessplode vs Mini Chess 5x5

The clearest difference is rating: Chessplode at 4.5 against Mini Chess 5x5's 3.5. Chessplode also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 12 months) and review sentiment (61% vs 43%). Mini Chess 5x5's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Chessplode sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Mini Chess 5x5 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Chessplode holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chessplode has 573 ratings behind it against 79, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 61% of Chessplode's written reviews are positive against 43% of Mini Chess 5x5's.

Chessplode ships an update every 2 weeks, Mini Chess 5x5 every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chessplode | Mini Chess 5x5 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (573 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessplode/id1439047052/reviews)** | [3.5 (79 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mini-chess-5x5/id1457707362/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **573** | 79 |
| Positive reviews | **61.2% of reviews** | 43.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 12 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 86 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Juan Manuel Altamirano Argudo](https://appshunter.io/developer/391953849) | [Golmium](https://appshunter.io/developer/887238485) |

## What reviewers say

### Chessplode

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessplode/id1439047052)

This app offers a unique twist on chess where capturing a piece causes others in the same line and column to explode. It's designed to be fun and accessible, even for those who aren't skilled at traditional chess, offering both single-player and multiplayer modes.

**Highlights:** Exploding pieces on capture, Real-time multiplayer battles, User-created levels, Local multiplayer mode, AI opponent practice, Customizable color themes

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| +100 Undos | $0.99 | one-time |
| Generous Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Massive Tip | $1.99 | one-time |
| INFINITE UNDOS | $1.99 | one-time |
| Amazing Tip | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick gameplay
- 👍 Beautiful and fun game
- 👍 Fantastic and great fun twist on chess
- 👍 Lovely little game
- 👍 Chess with a new challenge

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Won't open or get stuck
- 🐛 Issues with king movement and checkmate detection
- 🐛 Crashes and freezes
- 🐛 AI issues with thinking and repeating moves
- 🐛 Overly difficult, even at easy levels

**Reported bugs**

- Won't open or get stuck on certain screens
- Issues with king movement and checkmate detection
- Crashes and freezes, especially when AI is thinking
- AI issues with thinking and repeating moves

**Requested features**

- Add local multiplayer mode
- Add classic chess mode
- Add more basic puzzles
- Add ability to go back to previous levels
- Add option to remove explosions


### Mini Chess 5x5

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mini-chess-5x5/id1457707362)

Experience a unique chess variant on a 5x5 board. Play against AI with adjustable difficulty or use it as a physical board for two players. Enjoy a streamlined chess experience with simplified rules.

**Highlights:** 5x5 chess board variant, Play against computer AI, Multiple AI difficulty levels, Two-player mode, Simplified chess rules

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mini Chess 5x5 full version | $0.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chessplode free?

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

### Is Mini Chess 5x5 free?

Mini Chess 5x5 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Chessplode or Mini Chess 5x5?

Chessplode is rated higher. Chessplode averages 4.5 out of 5 from 573 ratings, while Mini Chess 5x5 averages 3.5 from 79 ratings.

### Do Chessplode or Mini Chess 5x5 have ads?

Chessplode shows ads; Mini Chess 5x5 does not.

### Which is updated more often, Chessplode or Mini Chess 5x5?

Chessplode ships an update every 2 weeks, and Mini Chess 5x5 every 12 months. Most recently, Chessplode was updated on October 7, 2026 and Mini Chess 5x5 on October 5, 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.*