Comparison

ChessClock vs The Chess Clock App

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

Head to head
About

ChessClock

This app provides a digital and analog chess clock with customizable time controls, including Fischer, Bronstein, and USCF delay modes. It features a classic skeuomorphic design and highlights the active clock for easy tracking during games.

Highlights
  • Dual clock display
  • Fischer, Bronstein, USCF delay modes
  • Analog and digital modes
  • Independent clock settings
  • Active clock highlighting
  • Skeuomorphic design
Features
Read full description

My original iOS Chess Clock from 2008 is back... in all its old-school Skeuomorphic glory!  Two clocks. Tap one to start the other counting down. Tap both to stop both. Tap the little clock icon to set the time, and the info button to change the settings. Chess Clock includes features found in competition chess clocks, including Fischer, Bronstein, and USCF ("Simple") delay modes, which work in both digital and the visually appealing analog mode. Also, since this version was rewritten entirely within the borders of Switzerland, I guess this might be the cheapest Swiss timepiece you can have. Features: • Analog flag movement that swings back and forth as it falls (which took me a silly amount of time to get right, but I like it) • Set each clock independently • Analog and digital modes • Adjustable time delay (Bronstein, Fischer, and USCF modes) • Highlights the currently running clock

About

The Chess Clock App

This app provides a customizable timer for various board games, including chess and shogi. It supports multiple time control modes like Sudden Death, Fischer, Byoyomi, and Handicap, allowing for individual player settings. Ideal for 2-4 player matches.

Highlights
  • Multiple time control modes
  • Fischer Mode support
  • Byoyomi Mode support
  • Sudden Death Mode support
  • Handicap time control
  • Customizable per-player settings
  • Supports 2-4 player games
Features
Read full description

The Chess Clock is a simple yet powerful game timer app, designed not only for two-player matches like shogi and chess, but also for 3–4 player games and various board game scenarios. Supported time control modes: - Sudden Death A classic format where the game ends when a player's time runs out. Each player’s initial time can be customized individually. - Fischer Mode A format where a fixed amount of time (e.g., +10 seconds) is added after each move. Both initial time and increment time can be set per player. - Byoyomi Mode After a player's main time runs out, each move must be played within a fixed number of seconds (e.g., 30 seconds). The byoyomi time and when it starts can be customized for each match. - Handicap Time Control Customize different time settings for each player to create a balanced or challenging match using any of the above formats. The app is perfect for serious chess and shogi matches, as well as for multiplayer board games with 3–4 players. With flexible per-player settings, it adapts to a wide range of game styles and situations. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

ChessClock3 screens
The Chess Clock App3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ChessClock at none against The Chess Clock App's 2. ChessClock also leads on update cadence (every 7 months vs every 36 months). On price, review sentiment, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. The Chess Clock App sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. ChessClock asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ChessClock ships an update every 7 months, The Chess Clock App every 36 months. The most recent releases landed on June 30, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
ChessClock versus The Chess Clock App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChessClockThe Chess Clock App
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.6 (31 ratings) — better
Positive reviews37.5% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings—31 — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 months — betterEvery 36 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.4 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAardustry GmbHVida Apps Incorporated

Customer experience

ChessClock

Written reviews16 reviews
Positive37.5%
Neutral18.8%
Negative43.8%

The Chess Clock App

All ratings31 ratings
Positive90.3%
Neutral3.2%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

ChessClock

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

The Chess Clock App

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Plan - 1 Month1 Month trial$2.991 Month
  • Premium Plan - 1 Year1 Month trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is ChessClock free?
ChessClock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is The Chess Clock App free?
The Chess Clock App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ChessClock or The Chess Clock App have ads?
Both ChessClock and The Chess Clock App show ads.
Which is updated more often, ChessClock or The Chess Clock App?
ChessClock ships an update every 7 months, and The Chess Clock App every 36 months. Most recently, ChessClock was updated on June 30, 2026 and The Chess Clock App on September 11, 2026.

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