# Chess vs Classic chess

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Classic chess at none against Chess's 4. Chess's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (39K vs 74). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Chess sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Classic chess asks for nothing beyond the download.

Chess holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess has 39K ratings behind it against 74, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of Chess's written reviews are positive against 65% of Classic chess's.

Chess ships an update every 6 weeks, Classic chess every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chess | Classic chess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (39K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess/id319305999/reviews)** | [4.4 (74 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/classic-chess/id1223231585/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **39K** | 74 |
| Positive reviews | **70.2% of reviews** | 64.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 65 MB | 146 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.4** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vintolo Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1453865533) | [Cross Field Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/465034947) |

## What reviewers say

### Chess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess/id319305999)

Engage in the classic game of chess with customizable graphics and multiple difficulty levels. Play against AI or a friend, with features like move undo, hints, and time controls. Enjoy a rich chess experience with detailed game history and board customization.

**Highlights:** HD graphics, 5 difficulty levels, Hint option, Play against computer or friend, 2D and 3D themes, Unlimited undo moves, Time control options

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 10 hints | $4.99 | one-time |
| 45 hints | $19.99 | one-time |
| 125 hints | $49.99 | one-time |
| 200 hints | $69.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for beginners
- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 💡 Helpful puzzles and hints
- 🎨 Customizable chess sets
- 🎮 Fun and challenging

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitchy pawn movement
- 🤖 AI too easy even on hard mode
- ⏱️ Stalemate issues
- 💰 Paid hints for puzzles
- 🔁 Repetitive AI moves

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrect stalemate detection
- Pieces disappearing or moving incorrectly
- Compatibility issues on older devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to replay puzzles
- Undo/redo move functionality
- Online/multiplayer mode
- More advanced AI difficulty
- Improved stalemate detection


### Classic chess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/classic-chess/id1223231585)

Learn chess rules intuitively with easy-to-understand explanations. Play against an AI with adjustable difficulty levels, from beginner to advanced. Choose between immersive 3D graphics or clear 2D views to suit your playstyle and mood.

**Highlights:** Intuitive rule explanations, Adjustable AI difficulty, 3D and 2D board options, Beginner-friendly, Progress tracking

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chess free?

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

### Is Classic chess free?

Classic chess is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Chess or Classic chess?

Chess is rated higher. Chess averages 4.7 out of 5 from 39K ratings, while Classic chess averages 4.4 from 74 ratings.

### Do Chess or Classic chess have ads?

Classic chess shows ads; Chess does not.

### Which is updated more often, Chess or Classic chess?

Chess ships an update every 6 weeks, and Classic chess every 2 months. Most recently, Chess was updated on October 28, 2026 and Classic chess on October 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.*