Mini Chess 5x5 vs Halfchess
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Mini Chess 5x5
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.
- 5x5 chess board variant
- Play against computer AI
- Multiple AI difficulty levels
- Two-player mode
- Simplified chess rules
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A chess variant on 5×5 board, the simplified version of the classic chess. You can play against the computer (several levels of difficulty) or use the app as a chess board when playing with a partner. Exceptions from the standard chess rules: the pawn double-move and castling are not allowed.
Halfchess
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Halfchess is real chess on a smaller board. Fewer squares to scan means the winning idea is easier to spot, and a puzzle fits in a spare minute. The puzzles are derived from real grandmaster games. We take the sharpest moments and rebuild them on smaller boards, most often 6x6, keeping only the pieces that matter. WHAT'S INSIDE • Checkmate puzzles, from mate in 1 up to mate in 3 • Tactics and endgame positions built around a few key pieces • A daily challenge against the computer, and a streak to keep going • Practice that adjusts to how you're solving • Works offline • Every piece stays in view, with the same rules you already know Solve as many puzzles as you like, and take on one daily challenge each day. It fits a bus ride or the gap between meetings. Free to download and start. https://halfchess.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Halfchess at every 3 weeks against Mini Chess 5x5's every 12 months. Halfchess also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Mini Chess 5x5 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Halfchess sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Mini Chess 5x5 ships an update every 12 months, Halfchess every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Mini Chess 5x5 | Halfchess |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (79 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 43.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 79 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 49 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Golmium | naval saini |
In-app purchases
Mini Chess 5x5
- Mini Chess 5x5 full version$0.99
Halfchess
- Extra Attempts$0.99
- Halfchess Pass — 30 Days$1.99
- Halfchess Pass — 1 Year$4.99
Questions
Is Mini Chess 5x5 free?
Is Halfchess free?
Do Mini Chess 5x5 or Halfchess have ads?
Which is updated more often, Mini Chess 5x5 or Halfchess?
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