Comparison

Chess Genius vs Chessify

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

Head to head
About

Chess Genius

This award-winning chess program offers superb playing strength with hundreds of levels for all skill sets. It features a clear interface, displays game analysis, and allows for saving, loading, and sharing games. Enjoy features like hints, legal move displays, and unlimited take-backs.

Highlights
  • Hundreds of playing levels
  • Displays thinking and analysis
  • Save/load games in PGN format
  • Hint and Tutor features
  • Unlimited take back
  • 2 player and self-play modes
Features
Read full description

ChessGenius, award winning chess program. Superb playing strength. The author's chess programs have won ten World Championships. Packed with features for beginners and experts: * Simple, elegant user interface * Powerful, compact and fast * Hundreds of playing levels including easy, blitz and tournament levels. Network connection not required * Displays thinking. Who is winning, by how much and the moves that ChessGenius is planning. Also Chess clocks, Captured pieces and Opening name. e.g. B12 Caro-Kann * Save/load games in PGN format. Send games by email. Set-up position * Easy import / export of PGN database files with iTunes file sharing * Hint, Show legal moves and Tutor. ChessGenius can warn if a blunder/weak move is played and give the option of take back * Unlimited take back and step forward * Play against ChessGenius. Also 2 player, self play and analysis mode * Optional display of captured pieces and count of positions searched * Game is restored after exit and restart * All functions work in Portrait and Landscape

About

Chessify

This app offers advanced chess analysis tools, including a real-time chessboard scanner, powerful cloud-based engines, and a unique video finder. Analyze games, puzzles, and learn chess theory with comprehensive features for players of all levels.

Highlights
  • Real chessboard scanner
  • Superfast cloud chess engine analysis
  • Video finder for chess positions
  • Offline play against Stockfish
  • Opening Explorer with Lichess database
  • Import/export FEN/PGN
  • Online real-time Blitz
Features
Read full description

Chessify is an all-in-one chess platform built for players who want to improve with professional-level chess tools. Analyze with powerful cloud engines running on servers up to 1024 threads and 1 Billion NPS speed, explore databases of 12 million+ professional games, scan real chessboards and books, prepare openings, and review games from anywhere. Features that once required heavy desktop software are now available in a single mobile app designed for players of all levels. Whether you’re solving puzzles, training openings, or analyzing tournament games, Chessify combines advanced chess tools into one fast and easy-to-use experience. Features: ZIUK — YOUR AI CHESS ASSISTANT Ziuk is your AI chess assistant that helps you analyze games, understand positions, learn from mistakes, and explore openings. Unlike traditional chess engines that show you the best moves and evaluations, Ziuk explains the ideas behind them. Ask questions in your own language and get explanations that help you understand the game. Ziuk combines artificial intelligence, powerful chess engines, and Chessify’s analysis tools in one conversation. Connect your Chess.com or Lichess account to import your games and analyze them with Ziuk. - Powerful Cloud Engine Analysis Analyze with Stockfish 18, Lc0, Berserk, Caissa, Crystal, Patricia, Viridithas, AsmFish, ShashChess, Koivisto, RubiChess, and Sugar AI chess engines on cloud servers with up to 1024 threads, reaching up to 1BN/s speed. - Mega Database Search through 10 million+ professional FIDE-rated games with move statistics, player ratings, and opening trends. - Correspondence Chess Database Study the 2 Million+ official ICCF database games played with deep engine-assisted preparation. - Scan 2D & 3D Chessboards Scan real boards and diagrams from books or screens with high accuracy and instantly analyze the position with Stockfish 18. - Chess PDF Scanner Import chess PDF books and scan positions directly from pages for quick analysis and study. - Play Against Stockfish Challenge one of the world’s strongest chess engines with adjustable strength settings. Play from initial or any given position. - PGN & Move Notation Create analysis files with multiple variations and comments or import your existing files and review them with your phone at any time. - Save Games & Analysis Store your games, analysis, and studies locally or in the cloud and access them anytime. - Import, Export, and Share PGN/FEN Easily import your games or export positions and analysis to share with chess friends or students. Whether you’re a beginner, club player, coach, or grandmaster, Chessify provides powerful analysis and training tools for every stage of your chess journey. Privacy Policy: https://chessify.me/privacy-policy Terms of Use / End User License Agreement (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Chess Genius4 screens
Chessify4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Chessify at Free against Chess Genius's $5.99. Chessify also leads on rating (4.4 vs 3.9) and update cadence (monthly vs every 12 months). Chess Genius's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 19) and review sentiment (79% vs 46%). On 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

Chessify is free to download; Chess Genius costs $5.99 up front. Chessify sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Chess Genius asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Chessify holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chessify has 398 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 79% of Chess Genius's written reviews are positive against 46% of Chessify's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess Genius ships an update every 12 months, Chessify monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Chess Genius versus Chessify: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChess GeniusChessify
Price$5.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (10 ratings)4.4 (398 ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.9% of reviews — better46.2% of reviews
Number of ratings10398 — better
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS6.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB140 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLang Software LimitedChessify Inc.

Customer experience

Chess Genius

All ratings10 ratings
Positive70.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews152 reviews
Positive78.9%
Neutral11.2%
Negative9.9%

Chessify

All ratings398 ratings
Positive85.4%
Neutral2.8%
Negative11.8%
Written reviews78 reviews
Positive46.2%
Neutral10.3%
Negative43.6%

User reviews

Chess Genius

From 10 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💪 Strong chess engine
  • 🧠 Good for learning and practice
  • ✨ Classic and well-established program
  • 👍 Simple and effective interface
  • 🚀 Fast performance

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 📉 Outdated graphics
  • 🐌 Slow updates
  • ⚠️ Incompatible with newer iOS versions
  • ❓ Confusing interface/menus

Chessify

From 398 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 📸 Accurate chess board scanning from photos
  • 🚀 Fast and efficient position analysis
  • ☁️ Cloud-based powerful chess engine (Stockfish)
  • 💾 Easy PGN export and saving functionality
  • 📚 Perfect for studying chess books

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes
  • 📸 Inconsistent scanning accuracy
  • ❌ App doesn't work on iOS 18 and older versions
  • 💰 Expensive paywall with limited free features
  • 🔥 Device overheating issues reported

Bugs and requests

Chess Genius

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • App crashes frequently, especially when ending games
  • Cannot access settings
  • App crashes when starting new game or changing settings
  • Not working with iOS 17
  • Not working with iOS 14.3
Show 12 more
  • Not working with iOS 6
  • Menu buttons not working
  • No menus appear after a game
  • Opening names are incorrect
  • Graphical issues (low-res, contrast issues)
  • Pieces are cut off in landscape mode
  • App feels buggy when moving pieces
  • No ELO selection
  • No strong selection
  • Design for iPad is terrible
  • Next best move feature sometimes unavailable
  • Rule flaw: King can castle after being in check

Requested features

24 requests
  • Update for iOS compatibility
  • Refresh and update the app
  • Take advantage of iOS file app features
  • Specify opening repertoire training
  • Don't let playing style be trainer/hint man
Show 19 more
  • Improve graphics and piece sets
  • Add ELO rating selection
  • Add more opening book content
  • Implement gesture controls (swipe for undo/redo)
  • Add audible check/checkmate sounds
  • Add opponent faces to computer levels
  • Support for PGN download via email/internet
  • Improve landscape mode functionality
  • Add more analysis functions
  • Add board coordinates display
  • Add rating estimator
  • Add more time control options
  • Option to disable auto screen off
  • Option to show captured pieces
  • Option to auto-flip board in two-player mode
  • Mac version of desktop program
  • Dark mode option
  • More board colors and piece sets
  • Online play functionality

Chessify

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Black screen in camera view during scanning
  • Scanning omits first or last rank of board
  • App crashes when loading images
  • Buttons not clickable on certain iOS versions
  • Position not recognized from screenshots
Show 7 more
  • App closes immediately after opening
  • Board rotation lock resets to landscape
  • Analysis not visible unless switching apps
  • Scanning fails 3 out of 5 times
  • Subscription billing issues (wrong tier shown)
  • App doesn't load past starting screen
  • Photo library order reversed for board photos

Requested features

12 requests
  • Add move comments and annotations capability
  • Board flip option during gameplay
  • Auto-save functionality to prevent position loss
  • Ability to edit and extend saved games
  • Tactics puzzle mode with move verification
Show 7 more
  • Automatic analysis on position scan
  • Lc0 engine option
  • iPad version support
  • Lichess app integration
  • Move sound toggle persistence
  • Better indication of which side has advantage
  • Depth control for analysis (stop at specific depth)

In-app purchases

None

Chess Genius

No in-app purchases

19 purchases

Chessify

Subscriptions10
  • Bronze 1 Month$0.991 Month
  • Silver 1 month$2.491 Month
  • Gold 1 Month$7.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Bronze 12 months$7.991 Year
  • Amateur$12.991 Month
  • Silver 12 months$14.991 Year
  • Gold 12 months$49.991 Year
  • Master$59.991 Month
  • Amateur Yearly$129.991 Year
  • Master$559.991 Year
One-time9
  • SuperFast analysis - 1000 sec.$0.99
  • SuperFast analysis - 10000sec.$3.99
  • SuperFast analysis - 30000sec.$5.99
Show 6 more
  • Starter Pack$5.99
  • Standard Pack$11.49
  • SuperFast analysis - 100000sec$13.99
  • Popular Pack$29.49
  • SuperFast analysis - unlimited$34.99
  • Ultimate Pack$117.99

Questions

Is Chess Genius free?
Chess Genius costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chessify free?
Chessify is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Chess Genius or Chessify?
Chessify is rated higher. Chess Genius averages 3.9 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Chessify averages 4.4 from 398 ratings.
Do Chess Genius or Chessify have ads?
Neither Chess Genius nor Chessify shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chess Genius or Chessify?
Chess Genius ships an update every 12 months, and Chessify monthly. Most recently, Chess Genius was updated on October 12, 2026 and Chessify on October 11, 2026.

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