Comparison

True Backgammon vs XG Mobile Backgammon

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

Head to head
About

True Backgammon

Engage in classic backgammon against challenging computer opponents or human players online. Customize your game with various board designs and difficulty levels. Connect with friends for local or online matches.

Highlights
  • Play against computer or humans
  • Three difficulty levels
  • Modern and ornate board designs
  • In-app purchase for world-class AI
  • Local and online multiplayer
  • Voice chat with opponents
  • Optimized for iOS
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

One of the most successful backgammon games on the iPad/iPhone, one of the most powerful computer opponents in the world. ALL THE FACTS IN UNDER 30 SECONDS * Play against computer or humans. Choose from three difficulty levels. Play on a cool modern wood or metal board, or choose from beautiful and richly ornamented optional boards. Play from left or right or play using black or white checkers. Play against friends in the same room or play against people anywhere on the Internet. Your choice, your game. * One of the best backgammon AI in the world (BGBlitz) is available as an in-app purchase as your opponent or tutor. Find out how good you already are and let BGBlitz teach you how to get better. After all, who doesn't like to win? * Connect with friends by playing with them in 2-player mode on the same device or anywhere in the world over the network. An occasional game is a great way to stay in touch with friends or to meet new people. * Available for iPad and iPhone (iOS 15 or later). Optimised for the latest iOS. * You could be playing backgammon like never before in less than a minute. What are you waiting for? STILL NOT CONVINCED? READ MORE… ALWAYS READY WHEN YOU ARE - COMPUTER OPPONENT Whether in the middle of the night or during your coffee break, your computer is always ready for a match. Choose from three difficulty levels to suit your skill level. For those who want to play only the best, a world-class artificial intelligence opponent is available as an in-app purchase. Casual play or competitive match? True Backgammon has an opponent for you that is fun to play with or that is a teeth grinding challenge. PLAY WITH PEOPLE NEAR YOU - GAME BOARD MODE Imagine you are with friends and want to pass the time with a game? Or are you on the train playing against the computer and one of your fellow commuters turns out to be a backgammon player too? You don't need to carry around a real board with you all the time. Instead, True Backgammon is your board. CONNECT WITH FRIENDS OR PLAY AGAINST RANDOM OPPONENTS ONLINE - GAME CENTER Would you rather play against a human than an AI, but there is no opponent in sight? Join the growing community of people playing True Backgammon online every day on an iPad, iPhone, iPod, iMac or MacBook. There's always someone ready to play. And not only can you play with them, you can talk to them using the built-in voice chat. BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER - GAME BOARDS We didn't just want to make good AI and smooth gameplay, we also wanted to make it look good. No, not just good... we wanted them to look drop dead gorgeous. We found a skilled designer and then tortured him with feedback until we were satisfied. The result is two boards (metal and wood) that look awesome, while offering little visual distraction to keep you focused on your strategy. And for those who love a little distraction, we let the designer run wild with a selection of (optional) fancy boards, rich in decoration and beautiful detail. Which is your favourite? AAAND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BOARD, A MULTI-OLYMPIC CHAMPION AI - BEEE GEEEE BLITZ From time to time there is an Olympic tournament for backgammon programs. We have persuaded the creator of the three-time winner BGBlitz to make his AI available to True Backgammon users. This AI is a world class opponent for those who want to play only the best. And it is a patient tutor. BGBlitz offers a tutor mode that will point out moves that are not optimal and show you better ones. It also gives you statistics, and you can export your current game to the common SGF format to analyse it with other applications like XG2, BGBlitz or gnuBG. WHAT ELSE CAN WE SAY? To cut a long story short, we have put a lot of effort into this application, not only in the gameplay, but on every level. If you choose it, we are sure you will not be disappointed.

About

XG Mobile Backgammon

Master the classic game of backgammon with the world's strongest backgammon program. Play against skilled computer opponents or friends, and receive real-time analysis to improve your skills. This app offers a comprehensive learning and playing experience for all levels.

Highlights
  • Strongest backgammon AI
  • Play against computer opponents
  • Tutor mode with mistake analysis
  • 2-player mode for live matches
  • Backgammon and NackGammon variations
  • Save and analyze games
  • Competition mode
Features
Read full description

Learn how to play the classic game of backgammon like a pro with the strongest backgammon program in the world. The app endorsed by the US Backgammon Federation (USBGF) and featured in PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine is available for FREE in the App Store! XG Mobile lets you play unlimited matches live against friends or hone your skills in tutor mode vs. an array of skilled computer opponents. XG Mobile is the portable version of the acclaimed program "eXtreme Gammon" for PC. You can now have the power and accuracy of eXtreme Gammon in the palm of your hands. XG Mobile is the perfect app for all strengths of players: • Are you a beginner? no worries, XG Mobile will let you know when you make a mistake. That’s a fun and efficient way to improve your skills • Are you an expert player? You can practice against a world class opponent. Trust the pros opinions: - NEIL KAZAROSS (6 time American Backgammon Tour Winner, Backgammon Giant #4): "I can now state that XG is stronger than its competitors on equivalent settings as well as at least several times faster on those settings." - MOCHIZUKI MASAYUKI (2009 World Champion, Backgammon Giant #1): "I like eXtreme Gammon very much. I truly believe this program is the strongest bot in the world." - MICHIHITO KAGEYAMA (Runner up in the 2012 World Championship, Backgammon Giant #2): "[...] this time I took only my iPad at the Backgammon World Championship 2012. I often checked some positions by using XG mobile. It's really fast and easy because iPad starts up in a few seconds, and I can arrange checkers by using touch screen" - CHRIS BRAY (Author, Backgammon Correspondent for The Independent): "My strong recommendation is to invest in XG Mobile. Like the PC version it will quickly become the de facto standard for the game" XG Mobile features: • The strongest backgammon program on iPhone and iPad. • Play against computer opponents ranging in skill from Beginner to World Class. • 2-player mode: play against friends using XG Mobile as a portable board (please note: live play, not online). • Play unlimited sessions or matches. • Choice of Backgammon or NackGammon Variation. • High Quality Graphics (optimized for Retina displays) , choice of multiple boards and checkers. • Share positions on Facebook, twitter etc... • Ask the computer for hint at any time. • Tutor mode analyzes your choice as you play and warns you of any mistake you made, allowing you to reconsider your choice. • Training mode also analyzes your choice as you play and lets you know of any mistake you made. You cannot reconsider your choice • Setup a position, analyze it or even start a session from this position. • Games are Saved and can be copied using iTunes or emailed for later analysis on your Mac or PC. • Extensive profile information tracking your level of play, your results and dice statistics. • Competition mode allows you to play in live tournament conditions (no help, no pip count, etc...). • Integrated help, including backgammon rules. If you’re looking for the best backgammon app on the market, download XG Mobile Backgammon now and enjoy the program players trust most!

Screenshots

True Backgammon4 screens
XG Mobile Backgammon4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: XG Mobile Backgammon at Free against True Backgammon's $3.99. XG Mobile Backgammon also leads on iOS requirement (6.0 vs 15.0). True Backgammon's advantage is rating (4.3 vs 3.9) and review sentiment (48% vs 32%). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases 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

XG Mobile Backgammon is free to download; True Backgammon costs $3.99 up front. True Backgammon sells 12 one-off in-app purchases and XG Mobile Backgammon sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

True Backgammon holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.6K and 1.2K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 48% of True Backgammon's written reviews are positive against 32% of XG Mobile Backgammon's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

True Backgammon ships an update fortnightly, XG Mobile Backgammon every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
True Backgammon versus XG Mobile Backgammon: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTrue BackgammonXG Mobile Backgammon
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (2.6K ratings) — better3.9 (1.2K ratings)
Positive reviews48.1% of reviews — better31.5% of reviews
Number of ratings2.6K — better1.2K
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#48 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.06.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size69 MB60 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCompuLab, Markus GömmelOpen Roll, LLC

Customer experience

True Backgammon

All ratings2,649 ratings
Positive82.2%
Neutral5.2%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews474 reviews
Positive48.1%
Neutral8.4%
Negative43.5%

XG Mobile Backgammon

All ratings1,237 ratings
Positive71.0%
Neutral7.8%
Negative21.3%
Written reviews403 reviews
Positive31.5%
Neutral17.1%
Negative51.4%

User reviews

True Backgammon

From 2.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth gameplay
  • 📊 Helpful tutor and analysis features
  • 🎨 Attractive and intuitive interface
  • 🕹️ Realistic backgammon experience

Room to improve

  • 🎲 Dice rolls perceived as biased towards the computer
  • 🤖 Computer opponent seen as too lucky or advantaged
  • 🧠 Difficulty level imbalance (too easy or too hard)
  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes

XG Mobile Backgammon

From 1.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great tool
  • 🎓 Excellent learning tool
  • 🤖 Extremely strong AI
  • 💯 Best backgammon app

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Freezes and glitches
  • 🎲 Dice rolls not random
  • 🤖 AI cheats/has unfair advantage
  • 🤯 Frustrating/infuriating
  • 💤 Outdated/not updated

Bugs and requests

True Backgammon

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Dice not registering correctly
  • Game freezing or becoming unresponsive
  • Issues with the human-computer move synchronization

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to play against other human players online
  • More customization options for the board and pieces
  • Detailed player statistics and progress tracking
  • Improved doubling cube functionality

XG Mobile Backgammon

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes frequently
  • Dice rolls not displayed
  • Sidebar/menu issues
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Explanations for suggested moves
  • Ability to save/load game positions
  • Multiplayer mode
  • Improved user interface
  • More detailed statistics and analysis

In-app purchases

12 purchases

True Backgammon

One-time12
  • Playboard Orient 3$0.99
  • Playboard Neon 1$0.99
  • Playboard Neon 3$0.99
Show 9 more
  • Playboard Orient 1$0.99
  • Playboard Orient 2$0.99
  • Playboard Leather$0.99
  • Playboard Neon 2$0.99
  • Neon Package$1.99
  • Orient Package$1.99
  • BGBlitz Tutor$1.99
  • BGBlitz Gameplay Engine$3.99
  • BGBlitz Package$4.99
1 purchases

XG Mobile Backgammon

One-time1
  • Premium Version$9.99

Questions

Is True Backgammon free?
True Backgammon costs $3.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is XG Mobile Backgammon free?
XG Mobile Backgammon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, True Backgammon or XG Mobile Backgammon?
True Backgammon is rated higher. True Backgammon averages 4.3 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while XG Mobile Backgammon averages 3.9 from 1.2K ratings.
Do True Backgammon or XG Mobile Backgammon have ads?
Neither True Backgammon nor XG Mobile Backgammon shows ads.
Which is updated more often, True Backgammon or XG Mobile Backgammon?
True Backgammon ships an update fortnightly, and XG Mobile Backgammon every 6 weeks. Most recently, True Backgammon was updated on October 5, 2026 and XG Mobile Backgammon on October 4, 2026.

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