# Backgammon vs Backgammon NJ

The clearest difference is price: Backgammon at Free against Backgammon NJ's $4.99. Backgammon also leads on review sentiment (65% vs 51%) and ratings volume (15K vs 1.5K). Backgammon NJ's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 5 months). On rating, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Backgammon is free to download; Backgammon NJ costs $4.99 up front. Backgammon sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Backgammon NJ sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Backgammon against 4.4 for Backgammon NJ. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backgammon has 15K ratings behind it against 1.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 65% of Backgammon's written reviews are positive against 51% of Backgammon NJ's.

Backgammon ships an update every 5 months, Backgammon NJ every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backgammon | Backgammon NJ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $4.99 |
| Rating | [4.4 (15K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-classic-dice-game/id299466486/reviews) | [4.4 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-nj/id328168559/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **15K** | 1.5K |
| Positive reviews | **65.2% of reviews** | 51.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#40** |
| Size | 123 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.4** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [WildCard Classics Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/284954485) | [Jimmy Hu](https://appshunter.io/developer/328168562) |

## What reviewers say

### Backgammon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-classic-dice-game/id299466486)

Experience the classic board and dice game with multiple variations and play modes. Challenge yourself against AI or friends online, with helpful features like move assist and unlimited undos.

**Highlights:** Multiple game variations (Nackgammon, Old English, Acey Deucey), Single player with adjustable AI difficulty, Online and Bluetooth multiplayer, Match play with Doubling and Crawford Rule, Move-Assist feature, Unlimited Undo in single-player, Extensive game statistics

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Christmas Theme | $0.99 | one-time |
| Acey Deucey | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Refresher
- 👍 Bugs worked out
- 👍 Love this game!
- 👍 Fun
- 👍 Great way to pass time

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Ads in middle of game
- 🔍 Ads doubled in one month
- 🔍 Too many ads interrupt the game
- 🔍 Ads During Play
- 🔍 Ads every three moves

**Reported bugs**

- Pieces no longer hand on the bars on iPads or iPad minis
- Doesn't work anymore with the last update of the iPhone
- Game freezes after ads
- Crashes every time I try to open it
- Pieces become minuscule after ads

**Requested features**

- Allow offline playing
- Turn based option
- Ability to review board before doubling
- Ability to undo moves


### Backgammon NJ

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-nj/id328168559)

**Currently charting:** #40 Top Paid · Board, #126 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Engage in classic backgammon against a sophisticated AI, a friend on the same device, or players worldwide. Improve your skills with tutor mode and hints, and customize your game experience.

**Highlights:** Neural network AI opponent, Online multiplayer (real-time & turn-based), Local 2-player mode, Tutor Mode and Hints, Customizable board and checkers, Match play up to 25 points, Game Center integration

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Analysis Package | $2.99 | one-time |
| Online VIP | $2.99 | one-time |
| Power User | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent gameplay
- 🤖 Challenging AI opponent
- 📊 Detailed game analysis and statistics
- 👍 Smooth and intuitive interface
- 🏆 Helps improve player skills

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🎲 Perceived unfairness in dice rolls
- 🤖 AI opponent seen as cheating or having an unfair advantage
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
- 💰 Expensive for a mobile game

**Reported bugs**

- Forced moves not always the best option
- Inconsistent behavior in auto-bear-off mode
- Online games prone to disconnections and timeouts

**Requested features**

- Manual dice roll option to verify randomness
- Ability to set custom difficulty levels
- Online multiplayer with chat functionality
- Improved tutorial and learning resources


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Backgammon free?

Backgammon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Backgammon NJ free?

Backgammon NJ costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Backgammon or Backgammon NJ?

Backgammon and Backgammon NJ are both rated 4.4 out of 5 on the App Store, from 15K and 1.5K ratings respectively.

### Do Backgammon or Backgammon NJ have ads?

Backgammon shows ads; Backgammon NJ does not.

### Which is updated more often, Backgammon or Backgammon NJ?

Backgammon ships an update every 5 months, and Backgammon NJ every 9 days. Most recently, Backgammon was updated on October 14, 2026 and Backgammon NJ on October 13, 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.*