# Backgammon vs PlayGem Backgammon Live Online

Backgammon and PlayGem Backgammon Live Online both sit at 4.4 stars, but that hides the real split: 65% of Backgammon's written reviews are positive against 37% of PlayGem Backgammon Live Online's. PlayGem Backgammon Live Online's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). 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 PlayGem Backgammon Live Online sells 11 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 PlayGem Backgammon Live Online. 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 37% of PlayGem Backgammon Live Online's.

Backgammon ships an update every 5 months, PlayGem Backgammon Live Online monthly. Both last shipped on October 20, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backgammon | PlayGem Backgammon Live Online |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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/playgem-backgammon-live-online/id858467955/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 15K | **16K** |
| Positive reviews | **65.2% of reviews** | 37.0% 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 | 388 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.0** |
| 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


### PlayGem Backgammon Live Online

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

Engage in thrilling multiplayer Backgammon matches against friends or players worldwide. Learn the rules, refine your strategy, and compete in tournaments to climb the leaderboards. Unlock unique boards and enjoy unlimited, free gameplay.

**Highlights:** Multiplayer Backgammon, Online challenges and tournaments, Play with friends or global players, Learn rules and perfect strategy, Unlockable unique boards, Leaderboard progression, Certified dice

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| 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 |
| 15,000,000 backgammon Chips | $99.99 | 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 PlayGem Backgammon Live Online free?

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

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

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

### Do Backgammon or PlayGem Backgammon Live Online have ads?

Both Backgammon and PlayGem Backgammon Live Online show ads.

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

Backgammon ships an update every 5 months, and PlayGem Backgammon Live Online monthly. Most recently, Backgammon was updated on October 20, 2026 and PlayGem Backgammon Live Online on October 20, 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.*