ChessClock vs The Chess Clock App
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Dual clock display
- Fischer, Bronstein, USCF delay modes
- Analog and digital modes
- Independent clock settings
- Active clock highlighting
- Skeuomorphic design
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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
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
| Parameter | ChessClock | The Chess Clock App |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.6 (31 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 37.5% of reviews — better | 33.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 31 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months — better | Every 36 months |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Ad-supported — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.4 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 37 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Aardustry GmbH | Vida Apps Incorporated |
Customer experience
ChessClock
The Chess Clock App
In-app purchases
ChessClock
No in-app purchases
The Chess Clock App
- Premium Plan - 1 Month1 Month trial$2.991 Month
- Premium Plan - 1 Year1 Month trial$29.991 Year
Questions
Is ChessClock free?
Is The Chess Clock App free?
Do ChessClock or The Chess Clock App have ads?
Which is updated more often, ChessClock or The Chess Clock App?
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