# Backgammon vs Backgammon PlayGem

The clearest difference is update cadence: Backgammon PlayGem at monthly against Backgammon's every 5 months. Backgammon's advantage is review sentiment (65% vs 52%). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Backgammon sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Backgammon PlayGem sells 10 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 4.5 for Backgammon PlayGem. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15K and 16K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 65% of Backgammon's written reviews are positive against 52% of Backgammon PlayGem's.

Backgammon ships an update every 5 months, Backgammon PlayGem monthly. Both last shipped on November 15, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backgammon | Backgammon PlayGem |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (15K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-classic-dice-game/id299466486/reviews) | **[4.5 (16K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-playgem-play-live/id858467955/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 15K | **16K** |
| Positive reviews | **65.2% of reviews** | 51.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 123 MB | 398 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [WildCard Classics Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/284954485) | [Playgem Technologies Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/685298977) |

## 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 PlayGem

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-playgem-play-live/id858467955)

Engage in live multiplayer backgammon matches against friends or players worldwide. Learn the rules, hone your strategy, and compete in tournaments to climb the leaderboards. Unlock beautiful boards and enjoy unlimited free gameplay.

**Highlights:** Live multiplayer matches, Play with friends or worldwide, Online tournaments, Climb leaderboards, Unlock unique boards, Learn game rules, Free and unlimited gameplay

**Features:** iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 50,000 backgammon chips | $0.99 | one-time |
| 100,000 backgammon chips | $1.99 | one-time |
| 300,000 backgammon chips | $4.99 | one-time |
| 500,000 backgammon chips | $4.99 | one-time |
| Super Bonus | $4.99 | one-time |
| 300,000 backgammon Chips | $4.99 | one-time |
| 1,500,000 backgammon chips | $9.99 | one-time |
| 750,000 backgammon chips | $9.99 | one-time |
| 2,400,000 backgammon chips | $24.99 | one-time |
| 15,000,000 backgammon Chips | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Competitive gameplay
- 🎨 Good graphics
- ⏱️ Quick games
- 🌐 Ability to play against players worldwide

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
- 🎲 Perceived issues with dice rolls and randomness
- 🤖 Suspicion of rigged/manipulated games
- 💰 Aggressive monetization tactics
- 🕰️ Slow response times and timeouts

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to move pieces when needed
- Inconsistent behavior when opponent times out
- Freezing and crashing during gameplay
- Syncing issues between devices

**Requested features**

- Chat feature to communicate with opponents
- Improved matchmaking based on skill level
- More customization options for the game board
- Better customer support and issue resolution


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Backgammon free?

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

### Is Backgammon PlayGem free?

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

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

Backgammon PlayGem is rated higher. Backgammon averages 4.4 out of 5 from 15K ratings, while Backgammon PlayGem averages 4.5 from 16K ratings.

### Do Backgammon or Backgammon PlayGem have ads?

Both Backgammon and Backgammon PlayGem show ads.

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

Backgammon ships an update every 5 months, and Backgammon PlayGem monthly. Most recently, Backgammon was updated on November 15, 2026 and Backgammon PlayGem on November 15, 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.*