Comparison

Checker vs Tessel

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Checker

Play international 10x10 checkers with a strong engine and a unique database of Dutch national competition games. Features include analysis tools, setup positions, game replay, and a collection of exercises. Fully accessible for blind users.

Highlights
  • International 10x10 checkers gameplay
  • Dutch national competition game database
  • Position analysis and variation testing
  • Game setup and replay functionality
  • Fully accessible for blind users (VoiceOver)
  • Collection of solvable exercises
Features
Read full description

With Checker-wise you can play international 10x10 checkers. Its most unique feature is an interface to the database of the games of the Dutch national checkers competition. A lot of attention has been paid to the graphics, with the aim to make it look beautiful, without any distracting bling-bling. All moves are animated. You can choose from 2 different sets of pieces. Checker-wise has VoiceOver integration, making it the only mobile checkers application which is fully accessible to blind users. PLAY Games can be either for 1 or 2 players, and either with or without a clock. Of course, all the standard features like swapping sides or rotating the board are available. The engine contains a strong opening book. ANALYZE Checker-wise contains a separate screen for analyzing positions. You can try out side variations and return to the main line with a simple double tap on the corresponding move in the move list. You can ask the engine for an evaluation. SETUP You can setup a position using an intuitive interface. REPLAY Look through the game you just played, and email the game notation, or copy it to the clipboard. TOURNAMENT BASE Checker-wise contains an interface to all of the games of the Dutch national checker competition. You can not only play through the games of the masters, but also analyse their games with the onboard engine, or take over the play from any position. And new games are added every week! EXERCISES Finally, there is a large collection of exercises which keeps track of which ones you've solved. Each of these features alone is worth the price of Checker-wise! And regular updates expand the possibilities of Checker-wise even more. Checker-wise is based on the Tjes engine (developed by me in 1996). Enjoy!

About

Tessel

A relaxing yet strategic hex-based board game where players place uniquely shaped pieces. Compete against AI, friends locally, or players online. Utilize power tokens and unlock cosmetic customizations for a unique experience.

Highlights
  • Hex-based strategy gameplay
  • AI opponents with multiple difficulties
  • Online turn-based multiplayer
  • Local Pass and Play mode
  • Optional power tokens
  • Unlockable cosmetic themes
  • Save and resume games
Features
Read full description

TESSEL Discover TESSEL, a relaxing yet deeply strategic board game where every placement matters. Compete against challenging AI opponents, play locally with friends, or challenge players online in this elegant hex-based strategy experience. With customizable cosmetics, unique power tokens, and countless tactical possibilities, no two games are ever quite the same. STRATEGIC HEX-BASED GAMEPLAY In TESSEL, players take turns placing uniquely shaped pieces onto a hexagonal board. Every new piece must carefully balance expansion, positioning, and connection. Master the edge-placement rules, plan ahead, and outmaneuver your opponent to claim victory. The player with the fewest unused tiles at the end of the game wins. MULTIPLE WAYS TO PLAY * Play against AI opponents with multiple difficulty levels * Challenge friends in local Pass and Play mode * Compete online in turn-based multiplayer matches * Save games and resume them later from the Active Games hub UNIQUE POWER TOKENS Collect and activate powerful optional tokens to change the course of the game. * Free: Ignore normal placement restrictions for your next move * Bonus Turn: Take two turns in a row * Shape Shift: Add an extra tile to transform one of your pieces * Snare: Restrict your opponent’s next placement options Enable, disable, or randomize token locations in Settings to create the experience you want. CUSTOMIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE Unlock and personalize your collection with beautiful cosmetic themes and sound packs inspired by natural materials and elegant craftsmanship. Choose from a growing collection of styles including: * Classic TESSEL * River Stone * Sage Ceramic * Sea Glass * Kintsugi * Aurora Glass * And more Customize appearances and sounds for yourself and your Solo mode opponents. LEARN AT YOUR OWN PACE New to TESSEL? An interactive tutorial and illustrated How to Play guide make it easy to learn the fundamentals while introducing advanced mechanics step by step. FEATURES * Relaxing yet deeply strategic gameplay * Multiple AI difficulty levels * Online multiplayer * Local Pass and Play multiplayer * Interactive tutorial and illustrated guide * Optional power token system * Save and resume active games * Unlockable cosmetic collections * Detailed player statistics * Beautiful visuals and soothing sounds Whether you are looking for a peaceful solo challenge or a competitive battle of strategy, TESSEL offers an elegant experience that rewards thoughtful play and long-term mastery.

Screenshots

Checker2 screens
Tessel4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Tessel at Free against Checker's $0.99. Tessel also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.8) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 6 weeks). Checker's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On ratings volume and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Tessel is free to download; Checker costs $0.99 up front. Tessel sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Checker asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tessel holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Checker ships an update every 6 weeks, Tessel every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Checker versus Tessel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCheckerTessel
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating3.8 (6 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.5
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB44 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperMarcel NijmanMELANIE SHEILA CADET

Customer experience

Checker

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Tessel

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Checker

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Tessel

One-time4
  • Kintsugi Skin$1.99
  • Aurora Glass Cosmetic Skin$1.99
  • Rose Quartz Cosmetic Skin$1.99
Show 1 more
  • Remove Ads$2.99

Questions

Is Checker free?
Checker costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tessel free?
Tessel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Checker or Tessel?
Tessel is rated higher. Checker averages 3.8 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Tessel averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Checker or Tessel have ads?
Tessel shows ads; Checker does not.
Which is updated more often, Checker or Tessel?
Checker ships an update every 6 weeks, and Tessel every 2 days. Most recently, Checker was updated on October 16, 2026 and Tessel on October 13, 2026.

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