Comparison

Verbal Chess vs Chess Notation Trainer

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

Head to head
About

Verbal Chess

Play chess using only your voice, making it accessible for everyone. Control every aspect of the game, from moves to navigation, without touching the screen. Ideal for multitasking or those with physical limitations.

Highlights
  • Voice-controlled gameplay
  • Hands-free operation
  • Accessible for physical limitations
  • Blindfold chess mode
  • Full app navigation by voice
  • Play against AI or global players
Features
Read full description

Play chess using only your voice! Are your hands busy making dinner? Or are you relaxing in a tub? Exercising on a treadmill? With Verbal Chess, you can play against computer engines or against players around the world using only your voice. There's no need to touch the screen. Have trouble interacting with the piece images on the screen? With Verbal Chess, the entire app is controllable by your voice. Physical limitations aren't a barrier to your playing chess. And for blindfold chess, you can lean back in your recliner, close your eyes and play the entire game. Since Verbal Chess announces your opponent's moves, you never have to look at the screen. Verbal Chess is unique in that every part of the program (except login passwords) can be controlled by your voice - every screen, every option and every move. Even program navigation can be done with only your voice. Once connected, you never have to touch the screen to enjoy every aspect of Verbal Chess. If working with the screen because of a physical handicap is a problem, with Verbal Chess you can have fun playing chess. Or are your hands busy? Maybe something simple like holding a sloppy burger and you would like to play a game while eating, Verbal Chess can do that for you. Verbal Chess comes from the creator of Chessvis. Download it today. Terms of Use URL: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Chess Notation Trainer

Master chess squares and notation with this training app. Improve your ability to identify coordinates, translate moves, and visualize the board, even without one. Ideal for serious players looking to enhance calculation speed and chess understanding.

Highlights
  • Identify squares by coordinate
  • Translate move sequences to notation
  • Determine square color instantly
  • Stay oriented on the board
  • Follow chess tutorials without a board
  • Speed up calculation
  • Practice blind chess
Features
Read full description

Serious about chess? But struggling to identify the squares, remembering sequences and follow chess notations? Well, you just landed on the perfect app! This training app is designed to dramatically uplift your mastery over chess squares. There are 5 training sessions. A small dose of regular practice will make you: 1. Spot a square as soon as you hear or see its coordinate 2. Translate a sequence of moves into their notation at ease 3. Immediately identify the color of a square 4. Stay oriented regardless of you facing white or black 5. Follow along with chess tutorials, books or any discussion without a board 6. Massively speedup your thought process on any calculation 7. Finally, start playing blind chess! Don't be surprised if you see a sudden surge of rating simply increasing your strength on square reading. The free version is already good enough to cause a major spike in your chess career. However, a one time purchase will unlock the full version which includes: - Extended time controls - Untimed practice mode - Milestones and achievements - Board assistance during training - And a complete visualization of your records There will be no ads, neither in the full version nor in the free one. Just a beautiful and satisfyingly addictive way to your square mastery. Caution: If you are rated below 1500, this app is probably not gonna be as useful for you, and tactics training is something you should prioritize.

Screenshots

Verbal Chess4 screens
Chess Notation Trainer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Chess Notation Trainer at 4.4 against Verbal Chess's 3.5. Chess Notation Trainer also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs fortnightly). Verbal Chess's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Verbal Chess sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Chess Notation Trainer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Chess Notation Trainer holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 18 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of Verbal Chess's written reviews are positive against 100% of Chess Notation Trainer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Verbal Chess ships an update fortnightly, Chess Notation Trainer every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Verbal Chess versus Chess Notation Trainer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVerbal ChessChess Notation Trainer
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (13 ratings)4.4 (18 ratings) — better
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1318 — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size90 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperConceptual Software, Inc.Nishat Majid

Customer experience

Verbal Chess

All ratings13 ratings
Positive61.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative38.5%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral14.3%
Negative0.0%

Chess Notation Trainer

All ratings18 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Verbal Chess

Subscriptions2
  • Verbal Chess - Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Verbal Chess - Annual$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Verbal Chess - Perpetual$39.99
1 purchases

Chess Notation Trainer

One-time1
  • Full Version$4.99

Questions

Is Verbal Chess free?
Verbal Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Chess Notation Trainer free?
Chess Notation Trainer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Verbal Chess or Chess Notation Trainer?
Chess Notation Trainer is rated higher. Verbal Chess averages 3.5 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Chess Notation Trainer averages 4.4 from 18 ratings.
Do Verbal Chess or Chess Notation Trainer have ads?
Verbal Chess shows ads; Chess Notation Trainer does not.
Which is updated more often, Verbal Chess or Chess Notation Trainer?
Verbal Chess ships an update fortnightly, and Chess Notation Trainer every 2 days. Most recently, Verbal Chess was updated on October 1, 2026 and Chess Notation Trainer on October 14, 2026.

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