Comparison

MChess vs Zenmate

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

Head to head
About

MChess

Features
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MChess is a chess app for players who enjoy familiar rules with new tactical possibilities. Start with standard chess, then try the expanded mode: build a custom army with a fixed point budget and play with hybrid pieces such as the Maharajah, Archbishop, and Chancellor. The app validates custom setups before a match starts, so unusual positions still begin from clear legal rules. Play on one device, practice against the built-in engine, or use local network play when two players want separate devices. LAN hidden setup lets each player prepare privately before both armies are revealed and the match begins.

About

Zenmate

Features
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Zenmate is a calm, beautifully designed chess app built for focused play. Play a quiet game against the AI, start a match with friends through Game Center, or pass-and-play on one device. Zenmate keeps the interface simple and refined so the board stays central and every move has room to breathe. Features: - Play vs AI with multiple difficulty levels - Play with friends using Game Center - Local 2-player pass-and-play - Light and dark mode - Optional board coordinates - Flip board support - Clean timers and move-focused gameplay A quiet game of kings. Designed to slow you down, one move at a time.

Screenshots

MChess4 screens
Zenmate4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Zenmate at none against MChess's 3. MChess's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks) and device support (4 vs 2). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. MChess sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Zenmate asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MChess ships an update fortnightly, Zenmate every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences ยท 2 level
MChess versus Zenmate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMChessZenmate
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyFortnightly โ€” betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo โ€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac โ€” betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 โ€” better17.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size29 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexander VelikotskyTimothy Nice

In-app purchases

3 purchases

MChess

One-time3
  • Coffee$0.99
  • Big Coffee$2.99
  • Supporter$9.99
None

Zenmate

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MChess free?
MChess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Zenmate free?
Zenmate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do MChess or Zenmate have ads?
Neither MChess nor Zenmate shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MChess or Zenmate?
MChess ships an update fortnightly, and Zenmate every 6 weeks. Most recently, MChess was updated on October 3, 2026 and Zenmate on October 1, 2026.

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