# Chessplode vs Chess Crusade

The clearest difference is ads: Chess Crusade at none against Chessplode's shown. Chessplode's advantage is review sentiment (61% vs 50%) and ratings volume (545 vs 88). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Chessplode sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Chess Crusade sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Chessplode against 4.4 for Chess Crusade. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chessplode has 545 ratings behind it against 88, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 61% of Chessplode's written reviews are positive against 50% of Chess Crusade's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 2, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chessplode | Chess Crusade |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (545 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessplode/id1439047052/reviews)** | [4.4 (88 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-crusade/id6446124494/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **545** | 88 |
| Positive reviews | **61.2% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 86 MB | 80 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Juan Manuel Altamirano Argudo](https://appshunter.io/developer/391953849) | [Toast - Apps and Software LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/393055476) |

## 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

**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


### Chess Crusade

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-crusade/id6446124494)

This game blends traditional chess with deck-building mechanics, introducing powerful fairy pieces and strategic upgrades. Build your battle deck, refine your strategy, and conquer colorful worlds in both casual and ranked matches.

**Highlights:** Fairy chess pieces, Deck-building mechanics, Strategic piece upgrades, Ranked PvP and PvE modes, Customizable worlds and avatars, Spectate and learn from top players

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gem Pack 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Multi-Game Pass | $0.99 | one-time |
| Username Change | $2.99 | one-time |
| Gem Pack 2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Gem Pack 3 | $14.99 | one-time |
| Gem Pack 4 | $49.99 | one-time |
| Gem Pack 5 | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chessplode free?

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

### Is Chess Crusade free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Chessplode or Chess Crusade?

Chessplode is rated higher. Chessplode averages 4.5 out of 5 from 545 ratings, while Chess Crusade averages 4.4 from 88 ratings.

### Do Chessplode or Chess Crusade have ads?

Chessplode shows ads; Chess Crusade does not.

### Which is updated more often, Chessplode or Chess Crusade?

Chessplode ships an update every 2 weeks, and Chess Crusade every 2 weeks. Most recently, Chessplode was updated on September 2, 2026 and Chess Crusade on September 22, 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.*