Backgammon vs XG Mobile Backgammon
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Backgammon
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.
- 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
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Challenge yourself in the deluxe board & dice game! Both the press and customers agree: Backgammon's got it in spades! __________________________________________ PRESS LOVE: Recommended by MacWorld Magazine as a Top Download for your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. “Backgammon Premium is the crème-de-la-crème ‘gammon’” 9 out of 10 stars from Appaddicts.com! Nominated for “Best Dice Game” in the Best App Ever Awards hosted by bestappever.com! __________________________________________ CUSTOMER LOVE: "Elegant and beautifully laid out. The play is terrific. I play a game every break I get. The fun just doesn't stop!" "This app is awesome!!! No problems and extremely fun." "Backgammon is a great game, simple and intriguing. This app does it justice. The AI is smart and sometimes infuriating. Five Stars!" __________________________________________ Play solo or live online against friends! Great for players who enjoy Gin Rummy, Spades, Cribbage, Blackjack, or Dominos. GREAT GAME VARIATIONS: Backgammon - The classic game you know and love Nackgammon - Changing the token setup requires players to get creative. Old English - A British favorite! No more than 5 checkers to a single point. Acey Deucey - Start in your own goal tray and work your way into your opponent's! WAYS TO PLAY: Single Player- Prove you're the King against Backgammon's Easy, Medium, or Hard difficulties! Online Multiplayer- Match against friends or strangers to prove your mastery! Peer to Peer- Play against your friends on their devices with no network required. __________________________________________ FEATURES: - Single Player Games (with Easy, Medium, Hard) - Match support! Play to 3, 5, 9 or 15 points with Doubling. Matches use the Crawford Rule - Four distinct board designs - Online and Bluetooth multiplayer - Move-Assist, highlights available moves - Unlimited “Undo” in single-player games - Extensive game statistics
XG Mobile Backgammon
Master the classic game of backgammon with the world's strongest backgammon program. Play against skilled computer opponents or friends, and receive real-time analysis to improve your skills. This app offers a comprehensive learning and playing experience for all levels.
- Strongest backgammon AI
- Play against computer opponents
- Tutor mode with mistake analysis
- 2-player mode for live matches
- Backgammon and NackGammon variations
- Save and analyze games
- Competition mode
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Learn how to play the classic game of backgammon like a pro with the strongest backgammon program in the world. The app endorsed by the US Backgammon Federation (USBGF) and featured in PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine is available for FREE in the App Store! XG Mobile lets you play unlimited matches live against friends or hone your skills in tutor mode vs. an array of skilled computer opponents. XG Mobile is the portable version of the acclaimed program "eXtreme Gammon" for PC. You can now have the power and accuracy of eXtreme Gammon in the palm of your hands. XG Mobile is the perfect app for all strengths of players: • Are you a beginner? no worries, XG Mobile will let you know when you make a mistake. That’s a fun and efficient way to improve your skills • Are you an expert player? You can practice against a world class opponent. Trust the pros opinions: - NEIL KAZAROSS (6 time American Backgammon Tour Winner, Backgammon Giant #4): "I can now state that XG is stronger than its competitors on equivalent settings as well as at least several times faster on those settings." - MOCHIZUKI MASAYUKI (2009 World Champion, Backgammon Giant #1): "I like eXtreme Gammon very much. I truly believe this program is the strongest bot in the world." - MICHIHITO KAGEYAMA (Runner up in the 2012 World Championship, Backgammon Giant #2): "[...] this time I took only my iPad at the Backgammon World Championship 2012. I often checked some positions by using XG mobile. It's really fast and easy because iPad starts up in a few seconds, and I can arrange checkers by using touch screen" - CHRIS BRAY (Author, Backgammon Correspondent for The Independent): "My strong recommendation is to invest in XG Mobile. Like the PC version it will quickly become the de facto standard for the game" XG Mobile features: • The strongest backgammon program on iPhone and iPad. • Play against computer opponents ranging in skill from Beginner to World Class. • 2-player mode: play against friends using XG Mobile as a portable board (please note: live play, not online). • Play unlimited sessions or matches. • Choice of Backgammon or NackGammon Variation. • High Quality Graphics (optimized for Retina displays) , choice of multiple boards and checkers. • Share positions on Facebook, twitter etc... • Ask the computer for hint at any time. • Tutor mode analyzes your choice as you play and warns you of any mistake you made, allowing you to reconsider your choice. • Training mode also analyzes your choice as you play and lets you know of any mistake you made. You cannot reconsider your choice • Setup a position, analyze it or even start a session from this position. • Games are Saved and can be copied using iTunes or emailed for later analysis on your Mac or PC. • Extensive profile information tracking your level of play, your results and dice statistics. • Competition mode allows you to play in live tournament conditions (no help, no pip count, etc...). • Integrated help, including backgammon rules. If you’re looking for the best backgammon app on the market, download XG Mobile Backgammon now and enjoy the program players trust most!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Backgammon at 4.4 against XG Mobile Backgammon's 3.9. Backgammon also leads on review sentiment (65% vs 31%) and ratings volume (15K vs 1.2K). XG Mobile Backgammon's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, in-app purchases 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. Backgammon sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and XG Mobile Backgammon sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Backgammon holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backgammon has 15K ratings behind it against 1.2K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of Backgammon's written reviews are positive against 31% of XG Mobile Backgammon's.
Backgammon ships an update every 5 months, XG Mobile Backgammon every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Backgammon | XG Mobile Backgammon |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (15K ratings) — better | 3.9 (1.2K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 65.2% of reviews — better | 31.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 15K — better | 1.2K |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 6.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 123 MB | 60 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | WildCard Classics Inc | Open Roll, LLC |
Customer experience
Backgammon
XG Mobile Backgammon
User reviews
Backgammon
From 15K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Refresher
- 👍 Bugs worked out
- 👍 Love this game!
- 👍 Fun
- 👍 Great way to pass time
Room to improve
- 🔍 Ads in middle of game
- 🔍 Ads doubled in one month
- 🔍 Too many ads interrupt the game
- 🔍 Ads During Play
- 🔍 Ads every three moves
XG Mobile Backgammon
From 1.2K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Great tool
- 🎓 Excellent learning tool
- 🤖 Extremely strong AI
- 💯 Best backgammon app
Room to improve
- 🐛 Freezes and glitches
- 🎲 Dice rolls not random
- 🤖 AI cheats/has unfair advantage
- 🤯 Frustrating/infuriating
- 💤 Outdated/not updated
Bugs and requests
Backgammon
Reported bugs
5 issues- 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
4 requests- Allow offline playing
- Turn based option
- Ability to review board before doubling
- Ability to undo moves
XG Mobile Backgammon
Reported bugs
4 issues- Crashes frequently
- Dice rolls not displayed
- Sidebar/menu issues
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
Requested features
5 requests- Explanations for suggested moves
- Ability to save/load game positions
- Multiplayer mode
- Improved user interface
- More detailed statistics and analysis
In-app purchases
Backgammon
- Christmas Theme$0.99
- Acey Deucey$1.99
XG Mobile Backgammon
- Premium Version$9.99
Questions
Is Backgammon free?
Is XG Mobile Backgammon free?
Which has better reviews, Backgammon or XG Mobile Backgammon?
Do Backgammon or XG Mobile Backgammon have ads?
Which is updated more often, Backgammon or XG Mobile Backgammon?
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