Comparison

Tempire vs Spy Chess

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

Head to head
About

Tempire

Experience a unique blend of chess and real-time strategy. Compete against friends or AI in fast-paced matches. This game offers an ad-free, free-to-play experience.

Highlights
  • Chess variation
  • Real-time action
  • Online multiplayer
  • AI opponent
  • Ad-free gameplay
  • Free to play
Features
Read full description

Tempire is a variation on chess that brings tense real-time action to the classic turn-based board game. Play online with friends or against challenging AI, all for free and without ads. Tempire was made by Greg March and Matthew Jee, with music by Jacob Rhein.

About

Spy Chess

Features
Read full description

Spy Chess takes the game you know and adds a layer of hidden betrayal: before the match begins, secretly select 3 of your opponent's pieces (never their king) to recruit as your spies. Your opponent has no idea which pieces are compromised. Each spy can be revealed exactly once, the moment you do, it flips to your color and you control it for the rest of the game. Reveal too early and you tip your hand; wait too long and the opportunity might slip away. Every match becomes a psychological battle layered on top of the classic one. Play your way - Challenge the AI across three difficulty levels - Play online against real opponents, or invite a friend directly - Chat with friends and track your history with saved, reviewable games Master the classic rules, then master the art of the double agent. Go Pro to remove ads and unlock unlimited online multiplayer.

Screenshots

Tempire3 screens
Spy Chess4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tempire at none against Spy Chess's 2. Spy Chess's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 23 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Spy Chess sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Tempire asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tempire ships an update every 23 months, Spy Chess every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Tempire versus Spy Chess: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTempireSpy Chess
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 23 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB162 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatthew JeeMarcus Nash

In-app purchases

None

Tempire

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Spy Chess

Subscriptions2
  • Spy Chess Pro Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Spy Chess Pro Annual$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Tempire free?
Tempire is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Spy Chess free?
Spy Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Tempire or Spy Chess have ads?
Neither Tempire nor Spy Chess shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tempire or Spy Chess?
Tempire ships an update every 23 months, and Spy Chess every 6 weeks. Most recently, Tempire was updated on November 3, 2026 and Spy Chess on October 30, 2026.

Other comparisons