Comparison

Tempest Game Clock vs Chessnut Next

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

Head to head
About

Tempest Game Clock

This companion app transforms your iPhone into a high-definition display for a physical, tournament-style game clock. It pairs with the clock to provide clear analog and digital timing for various board games, including a strict tournament mode.

Highlights
  • iPhone display integration
  • Analog and digital game timing
  • Supports increments and delays
  • Tournament mode
  • Compatible with Chess, Backgammon, Go, Scrabble, etc.
  • Pairs with physical game clock
Read full description

This is a COMPANION APP to the Tempest Game Clock (available at tempestclock.com) A unique, tournament-style, heavy-weighted game clock that uses your own iPhone as its high definition, full color display. This app is intended only for owners of the Tempest Game Clock: a deluxe traditional form factor chess clock (using a patented precision rocker to control play during the game, not the touch screen). It pairs with this app to deliver clear analog and digital game timing with or without increments, delays, sudden death or OT time controls. Perfect for Chess, Backgammon, Go, Scrabble, Othello/Reversi, Checkers/Draughts, and other board games. Tempest features a strict TOURNAMENT MODE - which disables all phone / text functionality during rated games per FIDE and USCF guidelines. To see the clock in action and to order yours, please visit tempestclock.com.

About

Chessnut Next

Enhance your chess experience by connecting a smart board to digitally record moves, play against AI, and analyze games. Offers tactical training, custom position creation, and voice input for hands-free play. Review your games with detailed reports and share your progress.

Highlights
  • Smart board connection
  • Play against chess engines
  • Automatic game recording
  • On-device Stockfish analysis
  • Tactical training and puzzles
  • Board editor and position recognition
  • Voice move input
Features
Read full description

Chessnut Next is the companion app for Chessnut smart chessboards, bringing physical chess and digital tools together in one seamless experience. Connect a compatible Chessnut board to play naturally with real pieces while the app synchronizes positions, records moves, and saves your games automatically. Whether you are playing against a computer, practicing tactics, reviewing a finished game, or playing face-to-face, Chessnut Next helps you get more from every move. Key Features • Smart Board Connection Connect a compatible Chessnut electronic chessboard and synchronize physical positions with the app in real time. • Play Against Chess Engines Challenge computer opponents with different strengths and playing styles using either a physical board or the on-screen board. • Online Chess Support Use a compatible physical board with supported online chess platforms for a more natural playing experience. • Automatic Game Recording Create and save complete PGN records, including moves, players, results, and time information. • Local Stockfish Analysis Review games with on-device Stockfish analysis to explore evaluations, recommended moves, and critical mistakes. • Maia and Personalized Practice Train against human-like chess engines designed to provide realistic play across different skill levels. • Game Review Reports Generate easy-to-understand reports that highlight strong moves, mistakes, turning points, and opportunities to improve. • Puzzles and Tactical Training Improve calculation, pattern recognition, and practical decision-making with chess puzzles and focused exercises. • Board Editor and Position Recognition Create custom positions manually or use supported image-recognition features to extract a chess position from a photo. • Voice Moves In supported game modes, speak origin and destination squares to enter moves hands-free. • Chess Clock and Over-the-Board Play Record face-to-face games and manage player time with compatible Chessnut devices. • Game Library and Sharing Browse saved games, filter records by source, refresh game data, and share games or review results. • Multiple Languages Choose from a range of interface and content languages. From your first move to detailed post-game review, Chessnut Next combines smart-board connectivity, game recording, engine analysis, and training tools in one app.

Screenshots

Tempest Game Clock4 screens
Chessnut Next4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Chessnut Next at every 3 weeks against Tempest Game Clock's every 2 months. Chessnut Next also leads on device support (4 vs 2). Tempest Game Clock's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Tempest Game Clock against 5.0 for Chessnut Next. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 12 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tempest Game Clock ships an update every 2 months, Chessnut Next every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Tempest Game Clock versus Chessnut Next: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTempest Game ClockChessnut Next
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (7 ratings)5.0 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings712 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB338 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTEMPO-GAMES LLCXenx Technology Limited

Customer experience

Tempest Game Clock

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Chessnut Next

All ratings12 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Tempest Game Clock

No in-app purchases

None

Chessnut Next

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tempest Game Clock free?
Tempest Game Clock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chessnut Next free?
Chessnut Next is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Tempest Game Clock or Chessnut Next?
Chessnut Next is rated higher. Tempest Game Clock averages 4.9 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Chessnut Next averages 5.0 from 12 ratings.
Do Tempest Game Clock or Chessnut Next have ads?
Neither Tempest Game Clock nor Chessnut Next shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tempest Game Clock or Chessnut Next?
Tempest Game Clock ships an update every 2 months, and Chessnut Next every 3 weeks. Most recently, Tempest Game Clock was updated on September 25, 2026 and Chessnut Next on September 17, 2026.

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