# Chess vs Bubble Explode Pro

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Chess at none against Bubble Explode Pro's 5. Bubble Explode Pro's advantage is ratings volume (986 vs 77) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Chess costs $0.99 and Bubble Explode Pro $0.99 up front. Bubble Explode Pro sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Chess asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Chess against 4.6 for Bubble Explode Pro. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bubble Explode Pro has 986 ratings behind it against 77, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 85% and 85% positive.

Chess ships an update every 5 months, Bubble Explode Pro every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 26, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chess | Bubble Explode Pro |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | $0.99 |
| Rating | [4.6 (77 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-tchess-lite/id296756437/reviews) | [4.6 (986 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bubble-explode-pro/id380862211/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 77 | **986** |
| Positive reviews | 85.4% of reviews | 85.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 6 MB | 89 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **8.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tom Kerrigan](https://appshunter.io/developer/295445504) | [Spooky House Studios UG (haftungsbeschraenkt)](https://appshunter.io/developer/376098163) |

## What reviewers say

### Chess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-tchess-lite/id296756437)

Enjoy a classic chess experience on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. This app offers a clean interface, beautiful graphics, and intuitive gameplay perfect for casual players. Play against a computer opponent, review game history, and track your progress.

**Highlights:** 1- or 2-player games on one device, Tap-to-move piece selection, Highlights legal moves, Full game history and move list, Built-in chess clock, Get hint feature, Undo moves

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great app
- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 💡 Helpful hints and features
- 🎨 Excellent graphics and visuals
- 🧠 Challenging AI opponent

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
- 🔍 Limited difficulty levels
- 🤖 AI can be predictable at times
- 💤 Lack of online/multiplayer options

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent pawn movement rules
- Stalemate issues and computer refusing to resign
- Connectivity problems with Game Center

**Requested features**

- Ability to set up custom board positions
- More difficulty levels and ELO ratings
- Online/multiplayer functionality
- Notification options for opponent moves
- Chess puzzle/training mode


### Bubble Explode Pro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bubble-explode-pro/id380862211)

Engage in a dynamic bubble-popping adventure with exciting animations and bonuses. Explore multiple game modes, track global scores, and enjoy customizable skins and animation speeds.

**Highlights:** Chain reaction bubble explosions, Multiple game modes, Global online scoreboards, Bonuses for exploding shapes, Undo moves, Customizable skins, Adjustable animation speed

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1000 Pearls | $1.99 | one-time |
| 5000 Pearls | $4.99 | one-time |
| 25 000 Pearls | $9.99 | one-time |
| 1 Million Pearls | $34.99 | one-time |
| 150 000 Pearls | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Relaxing and entertaining
- 🎮 Variety of fun games
- 🧠 Keeps the mind active
- ⏱️ Great time-killer
- 🎨 Appealing visuals

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- 🔇 Sound issues (unable to turn off)
- 🔄 Repetitive gameplay
- 🤯 Highly addictive

**Reported bugs**

- Scoreboard issues and inaccurate scores
- Crashes when using certain game features
- Inability to turn off sound effects
- Glitches with game progression and saved data

**Requested features**

- More challenging gameplay modes
- Improved leaderboard functionality
- Ability to reset progress
- Additional customization options
- Compatibility updates for newer devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chess free?

Chess costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Bubble Explode Pro free?

Bubble Explode Pro costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Chess or Bubble Explode Pro?

Chess and Bubble Explode Pro are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 77 and 986 ratings respectively.

### Do Chess or Bubble Explode Pro have ads?

Neither Chess nor Bubble Explode Pro shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Chess or Bubble Explode Pro?

Chess ships an update every 5 months, and Bubble Explode Pro every 2 months. Most recently, Chess was updated on September 26, 2026 and Bubble Explode Pro on September 26, 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.*