# Chess Genius vs Chess

The clearest difference is rating: Chess at 4.7 against Chess Genius's 3.9. Chess also leads on ratings volume (251 vs 10) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 12 months). Chess Genius's advantage is chart position (#129 vs unranked) and price ($5.99 vs $7.99). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Chess Genius costs $5.99 and Chess $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Chess holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess has 251 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of Chess Genius's written reviews are positive against 89% of Chess's.

Chess Genius ships an update every 12 months, Chess every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 16, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chess Genius | Chess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$5.99** | $7.99 |
| Rating | [3.9 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-genius/id294631172/reviews) | **[4.7 (251 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-tchess-pro/id295445501/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 10 | **251** |
| Positive reviews | 78.9% of reviews | **88.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#129** | — |
| Size | 2 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **6.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lang Software Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/294631175) | [Tom Kerrigan](https://appshunter.io/developer/295445504) |

## What reviewers say

### Chess Genius

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-genius/id294631172)

**Currently charting:** #129 Top Paid · Board (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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- 📉 Outdated graphics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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Chess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-tchess-pro/id295445501)

This app offers a high-quality chess experience for players of all levels, from beginners to professionals. It features a strong engine, analysis tools, and learning resources to improve your game.

**Highlights:** Simulated human opponents for beginners, Top-tier chess engine for experts, Real-time game analysis, 1 or 2-player game support, Opening Library and PGN Database, Position Editor, Rated games and progress tracking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Enjoyable and challenging
- 🚀 Plays solid openings and variations
- 👍 Thoroughly enjoyable for novice players
- 👍 Great for beginners and seasoned players
- 👍 Rated games help track progress

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes after updates
- 🐛 Inaccurate rating system
- 🐛 Bright screen background can be tiring
- 🐛 Clunky online game menu

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when creating annotations
- Zoomed-in screen issue when returning to the app
- Difficulty settings not accurately reflecting the AI's strength

**Requested features**

- Add chess puzzles
- Provide more board and piece style options
- Implement a resign feature and draw offer
- Add a move evaluation bar
- Improve the online multiplayer experience


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chess Genius free?

Chess Genius costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Chess free?

Chess costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Chess Genius or Chess?

Chess is rated higher. Chess Genius averages 3.9 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Chess averages 4.7 from 251 ratings.

### Do Chess Genius or Chess have ads?

Neither Chess Genius nor Chess shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Chess Genius or Chess?

Chess Genius ships an update every 12 months, and Chess every 4 months. Most recently, Chess Genius was updated on October 16, 2026 and Chess on October 16, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*