# Chess.com vs RISK

Chess.com and RISK both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 64% of Chess.com's written reviews are positive against 35% of RISK's. Chess.com also leads on chart position (#1 vs #112) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). RISK's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Chess.com sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and RISK sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Chess.com against 4.7 for RISK. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 868K and 188K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of Chess.com's written reviews are positive against 35% of RISK's.

Chess.com ships an update weekly, RISK every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chess.com | RISK |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (868K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chesscom-play-and-learn/id329218549/reviews)** | [4.7 (188K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/risk-global-domination/id1051334048/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **868K** | 188K |
| Positive reviews | **64.4% of reviews** | 35.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | #112 |
| Size | 456 MB | 1.5 GB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Chess.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/329218552) | [SMG Studio](https://appshunter.io/developer/832131501) |

## What reviewers say

### Chess.com

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chesscom-play-and-learn/id329218549)

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Free · Strategy, #2 Top Free · Board, #6 Top Free · Games, #8 Top Grossing · Board, #18 Top Grossing · Strategy, #55 Top Free, #76 Top Grossing · Games, #174 Top Grossing (US App Store)

Engage in chess with millions globally through online matches, tournaments, and lessons. Improve your skills with over a million puzzles, powerful bot opponents, and detailed game analysis. Explore various chess variants and track your progress with in-depth statistics.

**Highlights:** Online multiplayer chess, Over 1 million chess puzzles, Hundreds of chess lessons, Play against AI opponents, Chess variant modes, Game analysis tools, Community leaderboards

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gold Membership | $4.99 | per month |
| Gold Membership | $6.99 | per month |
| Platinum Membership | $6.99 | per month |
| Platinum Membership | $10.99 | per month |
| Diamond Membership | $14.99 | per month |
| Diamond Membership | $16.99 | per month |
| Gold Membership | $29.99 | per year |
| Platinum Membership | $49.99 | per year |
| Gold Membership | $49.99 | per year |
| Platinum Membership | $79.99 | per year |
| Diamond Membership | $99.99 | per year |
| Diamond Membership | $119.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent app for learning and improving chess skills
- 🎓 Comprehensive lessons, puzzles, and analysis tools
- 🌍 Large player base for quick matchmaking
- 📊 Detailed game statistics and progress tracking
- 💻 Seamless integration between mobile app and website

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent connection issues and game freezes
- ⏱️ Unreliable and inconsistent game timers
- 🔒 Lack of transparency around anti-cheating measures
- 💰 Aggressive paywall for advanced features
- 🤖 Subpar AI opponents with questionable move choices

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrect move suggestions in game analysis
- Inability to leave or manage chess clubs within the app
- Puzzle mode crashing when attempting to reveal the solution
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data
- Pieces not registering correctly on the board during gameplay

**Requested features**

- Ability to customize board and piece themes
- Option to pause and resume games at a later time
- Improved game analysis with more detailed explanations
- Enhanced social features for interacting with other players
- Offline mode for practicing puzzles and tactics


### RISK

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/risk-global-domination/id1051334048)

**Currently charting:** #112 Top Grossing · Board, #141 Top Free · Strategy, #193 Top Free · Board (US App Store)

Engage in strategic global warfare in the official digital adaptation of the classic board game. Build armies, forge alliances, and command troops across diverse maps and game modes, from historical battles to fantasy worlds. Compete against millions worldwide and climb the ranks to become a Grandmaster.

**Highlights:** Real-time battles, Classic and custom rules, Solo and multiplayer modes, Over 110 maps, Compete against millions, Ranked play to Grandmaster

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| MAPS+ Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| Ration Tin | $3.49 | one-time |
| Unlock Pirate Theme | $3.99 | one-time |
| RISK Europe Map Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Northern Conquest - 3 new maps | $3.99 | one-time |
| US City Map Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| RISK: Zombie Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| RISK: Fantasy Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Ammo Crate | $5.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Premium Mode | $12.99 | one-time |
| Supply Crate | $13.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast gameplay
- 👍 Enjoyable classic game experience
- 🎨 Great visuals and customization
- 🕹️ Addictive and strategic

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
- 🔀 Unfair dice rolls and battle outcomes
- 🤖 Weak and predictable AI opponents
- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
- 🤝 Issues with multiplayer alliances and collaboration

**Reported bugs**

- Disconnection issues during online games
- Incorrect troop count and territory ownership updates
- Inability to rejoin games after disconnections

**Requested features**

- More map and scenario options
- Improved matchmaking and skill-based matchups
- Better communication tools for multiplayer
- Adjustable AI difficulty levels
- Fairer and more transparent dice mechanics


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chess.com free?

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

### Is RISK free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Chess.com or RISK?

Chess.com is rated higher. Chess.com averages 4.8 out of 5 from 868K ratings, while RISK averages 4.7 from 188K ratings.

### Do Chess.com or RISK have ads?

Both Chess.com and RISK show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Chess.com or RISK?

Chess.com ships an update weekly, and RISK every 3 weeks. Most recently, Chess.com was updated on November 3, 2026 and RISK on November 3, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Chess.com or RISK?

Chess.com currently peaks at #1 in the App Store charts, and RISK at #112. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*