# Chess.com vs Backgammon Legends

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Chess.com at 64% against Backgammon Legends's 17%. Chess.com also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (827K vs 44K). Backgammon Legends's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

Chess.com holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess.com has 827K ratings behind it against 44K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Chess.com's written reviews are positive against 17% of Backgammon Legends's.

Chess.com ships an update weekly, Backgammon Legends every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chess.com | Backgammon Legends |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (827K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chesscom-play-and-learn/id329218549/reviews)** | [4.6 (44K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-legends/id1439178539/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **827K** | 44K |
| Positive reviews | **63.9% of reviews** | 17.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#5** | #117 |
| Size | 445 MB | 218 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Chess.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/329218552) | [Ahoy Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/771233045) |

## What reviewers say

### Chess.com

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

**Currently charting:** #5 Top Free · Board, #7 Top Free · Strategy, #8 Top Grossing · Board, #19 Top Grossing · Strategy, #61 Top Free · Games, #78 Top Grossing · Games (US App Store)

Engage in online and offline chess matches with millions of players worldwide. Improve your skills through interactive lessons, over 500,000 puzzles, and powerful AI opponents. Compete in tournaments and explore various chess variants.

**Highlights:** Online multiplayer chess, Offline play against AI, Extensive puzzle library, Interactive chess lessons, Tournament participation, Chess variants, Game analysis

**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


### Backgammon Legends

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-legends/id1439178539)

**Currently charting:** #117 Top Grossing · Board, #195 Top Free · Card (US App Store)

Engage in strategic board game battles online with friends or new acquaintances. Enjoy beautiful 3D graphics, real-time chat, and competitive tournaments. Master tactics and climb leaderboards to become a backgammon champion.

**Highlights:** Online multiplayer with matchmaking, Real-time chat and friend list, Weekly tournaments and events, Global and local leaderboards, 3D animated backgammon boards, Spectator mode to watch games, AI opponent for practice

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Deluxe: Spin The Wheel | $0.99 | one-time |
| Offer 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| A Small pack of Charges | $1.99 | one-time |
| 10,000 Coins | $1.99 | one-time |
| Deluxe: Spin The Wheel | $1.99 | one-time |
| Offer 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Breaks Piggy Bank | $2.99 | one-time |
| Deluxe: Spin The Wheel | $4.99 | one-time |
| Battle Pass ticket | $4.99 | one-time |
| Offer 10 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Battle Pass ticket booster | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 👍 Great graphics
- 🎮 Engaging backgammon experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🎲 Rigged dice rolls
- 🤖 Unfair matchmaking against bots
- 💰 Aggressive monetization tactics
- 🔄 Repetitive loss streaks
- 🕰️ Slow response from developers

**Reported bugs**

- Disconnection issues during games
- Incorrect backgammon scoring

**Requested features**

- Fair and random dice generation
- Improved matchmaking system
- Less intrusive monetization
- Better communication from developers


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chess.com free?

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

### Is Backgammon Legends free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Chess.com or Backgammon Legends?

Chess.com is rated higher. Chess.com averages 4.8 out of 5 from 827K ratings, while Backgammon Legends averages 4.6 from 44K ratings.

### Do Chess.com or Backgammon Legends have ads?

Both Chess.com and Backgammon Legends show ads.

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

Chess.com ships an update weekly, and Backgammon Legends every 2 months. Most recently, Chess.com was updated on September 25, 2026 and Backgammon Legends on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Chess.com or Backgammon Legends?

Chess.com currently peaks at #5 in the App Store charts, and Backgammon Legends at #117. 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.*