Comparison

Backgammon NJ HD vs Ludo STAR

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

Head to head
About

Backgammon NJ HD

Play backgammon against a powerful AI, a friend on the same device, or players worldwide. Improve your skills with tutor mode and detailed analysis. Offers customizable options and supports all iOS devices.

Highlights
  • Neural network AI
  • Online multiplayer (real-time & turn-based)
  • 2-player mode on one device
  • Tutor Mode & Hints
  • Customizable board and checkers
  • Match play and single games
  • Game Center integration
Features
Read full description

● GAME CENTER -- Play online, chat, invite friends, auto-match with random players { Real-time } Play online in real-time { Turn-based } Play online at your own pace ● VERSATILE -- Play offline vs. computer or against another person in 2-player mode ● CUSTOMIZABLE -- More options than any other backgammon app ● UNIVERSAL -- Supports iPad, iPhone, & iPod touch Play & learn backgammon at skill levels from beginner to world-class! Backgammon NJ HD is a full-featured game which uses an advanced, neural network-based, artificial intelligence. Play against a computer AI, another person in 2-player mode on one device, or online against friends & others. Using Tutor Mode & Hints, Backgammon NJ HD can show you how to improve your game. Discriminating players will appreciate how well the AI plays. It uses a neural network trained on millions of positions, a bearoff database, & a match equity table to achieve strong gameplay that will challenge even expert players. REVIEWS "[I] know strong bg play when I see it. This app is the strongest iPhone bg app I've played with by far. It does not cheat period. ...Analyzing these matches with eXtreme Gammon confirms a world class level of play with normal luck factors. If you are losing, get over it. So would 99.9% of the other backgammon players in the world. It is just that good. Learn from it." -Richard Munitz, Giant of Backgammon, #21 world ranking in 2009 "Backgammon NJ plays at an extremely high level with an excellent interface, and I often use it to practice on my iPhone when I am traveling. I recommend it highly to my students & friends." -Phil Simborg, Professional Backgammon Teacher & Player, www.mindgamescenter.com "I've played over 500 games now; I've checked about 5% of these against World Class Desktop programs (GNU, BGBlitz); and I've actually used some of the competition. NJ has the best interface & has more useful functions than any other backgammon apps out there." "For serious backgammon players, Backgammon NJ is the way to go." -Macworld.com, May 2012 IS THIS GAME RIGHT FOR YOU? This game is best for people: • Who recognize the strength of neural network backgammon bots • Who want to improve their game by playing against a world-class level AI • Who will use the in-depth, technical features included in the app to prove that it is honest (https://www.njsoftware.com/note.html) • Who won't expect to win consistently on the higher skill levels FEATURES • Neural network-based AI • 2 game types: Standard Backgammon or Nackgammon • 4 skill levels: Easy, Medium, Hard, Expert • Customizable board design & checker colors • Mersenne Twister algorithm for random number generation • Doubling cube • Single games or match play up to 25 pts • Crawford rule for match play • 1-player mode vs. computer • 2-player mode on one device • Game Center: Play real-time or turn-based online matches with friends & other players • Chat with your online opponent • Online Elo & Experience leaderboards • Block list for auto-match • Tap-to-move interface • Highlighted checker movement options • Hint & Undo • Learn with Tutor Mode • Game & dice stats, including Elo rating & ER • Match info: GnuBG ID, win chances, equity, top 10 moves, cube decisions • Email match files • Practice mode with unlimited undo (1-player vs. computer) • Manual match recording mode with unlimited undo & speed mode option • Options to reverse board direction, resign, use one-tap moves, auto bearoff, auto finish, use Jacoby rule, & much more • Match analysis (in-app purchase): Analyze past match files, view moves & errors for match, step through match, jump to position, play from position, save match files permanently IMPORTANT • If an online match ends for any reason, you'll receive the Elo pts you deserve. FAQ: https://gamecenter.njsoftware.com • Contact us for help: https://contact.njsoftware.com

About

Ludo STAR

Relive the nostalgic thrill of Ludo with this online multiplayer board game. Play with friends, family, or new acquaintances worldwide, enjoying classic and modern variations with exciting features and rewards.

Highlights
  • Play with friends and family
  • Make new friends globally
  • Multiple game modes and variations
  • Undo feature
  • Live chat and voice notes
  • Challenging tournaments
  • Collectable dice options
Features
Read full description

Ludo Star is a fun online board game to play with your friends & family. Remember playing this exciting dice game during your childhood? Now you can experience the same thrill online, and play Ludo Star from anywhere in the world and at any time you like! Get ready to play the modern version of Ludo on Ludo Star and make new friends. Fun fact: the original version of Ludo dates back to the 6th century CE! It was adopted and enjoyed by many cultures and went by several other names, and is currently one of the most popular online board games around the globe. Ludo Star has been available on mobile since 2017! Now all you have to do is turn your friends into the kings of Ludo by introducing them to Ludo Star. This multiplayer game is quickly becoming the most popular dice game and casual game in the world of board games. Our beloved version boasts Simple Gameplay, Unique Features, Multiple Game Modes, and Exciting Rewards! Don’t just believe us, see the magic of Ludo Star for yourself What makes Ludo Star exciting? * Undo Feature * Quick Mode * Live Chat * New Rewards * Ludo Star Clubs * Challenging Tournaments * Real Human Interaction * No Internet/Offline Play * Friends from Across the Globe Classic Features on Ludo Star: * Invite & Play: Login with Facebook and invite friends to play with you * Make New Friends: Play with random players in 2 or 4 player matches and make new friends * Play Different Variations: Classic, Arrow or Blitz * Join Forces: Pair with other players to play Team Up * Follow Fun Rules: Doubling of pieces, killing 1 before entering the home, undos etc. * Be a Star: Make a streak to top our Streakstars Leaderboard Cool Features on Ludo Star: * Play in High Quality: Experience high quality Ludo with unique animated dices * Voice Note: Voice chat with your friends through our exciting new offering ‘Clubs’ * Go Global: Make friends with people across the globe in Clubs * Grow a Community: Meet people with shared interests in every new game * Gift Away: Exchange exciting gifts with your friends in clubs like falcon, cars, rose, or phoenix or send them cool emojis while you play * Win Exciting Rewards: Send lucky dice to your friends and pick daily cards to earn gold, gems & more * Build a Collection: Collect 100s of amazing dice options Download Ludo Star now! We promise this fun game is suitable for all ages! Pro-tip to ace the game: Keep playing! The more you play, the more exciting Ludo Star becomes. You can turn into a star and your friends can turn into stars too. Ready to play? Privacy Policy: https://gameberrylabs.com/privacy Terms of Service: https://gameberrylabs.com/tos Privacy | Gameberry Labs At Gameberry Labs, we build games that players love to grow old with. Millions of people play our games every day which makes us one of the fastest growing gaming studios from India. This is the OFFICIAL LUDO STAR™ game, ready for you to download and play.

Screenshots

Backgammon NJ HD4 screens
Ludo STAR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Ludo STAR at Free against Backgammon NJ HD's $7.99. Ludo STAR also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (105K vs 3.7K). Backgammon NJ HD's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (55% vs 31%). On rating, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

Ludo STAR is free to download; Backgammon NJ HD costs $7.99 up front. Backgammon NJ HD sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Ludo STAR sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Backgammon NJ HD against 4.5 for Ludo STAR. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ludo STAR has 105K ratings behind it against 3.7K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 55% of Backgammon NJ HD's written reviews are positive against 31% of Ludo STAR's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Backgammon NJ HD ships an update every 5 months, Ludo STAR every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Backgammon NJ HD versus Ludo STAR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBackgammon NJ HDLudo STAR
Price$7.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (3.7K ratings) — better4.5 (105K ratings)
Positive reviews55.0% of reviews — better31.3% of reviews
Number of ratings3.7K105K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#51#9 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.415.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB491 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJimmy HuGameberry Labs

Customer experience

Backgammon NJ HD

All ratings3,647 ratings
Positive88.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative8.1%
Written reviews585 reviews
Positive55.0%
Neutral8.4%
Negative36.6%

Ludo STAR

All ratings104,443 ratings
Positive87.1%
Neutral3.4%
Negative9.5%
Written reviews1,454 reviews
Positive31.3%
Neutral4.1%
Negative64.6%

User reviews

Backgammon NJ HD

From 3.7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💻 Excellent backgammon app
  • 🧠 Challenging AI opponent
  • 🔍 Helpful analysis and stats
  • 📚 Great for learning and improving

Room to improve

  • 🎲 Questionable dice rolls and randomness
  • 🤖 AI appears to cheat or have unfair advantage
  • 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
  • 💰 Paid app with in-app purchases

Ludo STAR

From 105K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎮 Fun gameplay
  • 🕹️ Addictive experience
  • 🎨 Appealing visual design

Room to improve

  • 🎲 Unfair dice rolls
  • 🤖 Rigged algorithm favoring high-level players
  • 💰 Pay-to-win mechanics
  • 🤬 Toxic community and harassment
  • 🕰️ Slow and frustrating gameplay

Bugs and requests

Backgammon NJ HD

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Frequent crashes
  • Unreliable online play and matchmaking
  • Issues with syncing progress across devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Manual dice rolling option
  • Ability to undo moves
  • Improved online/multiplayer experience
  • More difficulty levels

Ludo STAR

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Disappearing coins and gems
  • Freezing and crashing issues
  • Incorrect dice numbers displayed

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to play with friends without Facebook
  • Improved matchmaking and skill-based pairing
  • Stricter moderation and banning of abusive players
  • More balanced and random dice rolls

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Backgammon NJ HD

One-time3
  • Analysis Package$2.99
  • Online VIP$2.99
  • Power User$4.99
12 purchases

Ludo STAR

One-time12
  • Pick A Card$0.99
  • STAR Starter Gems Pack$0.99
  • STAR Starter Gold Pack$0.99
Show 9 more
  • Hearts Starter Pack$0.99
  • Star Gems Pack$0.99
  • Gems BIG Pack (1000 Gems)$1.99
  • STAR Big Gems Pack$2.99
  • Star Gems Pack$2.99
  • Gems Offer$3.99
  • Star Gems Pack$4.99
  • Gems Super Pack (3000 gems)$4.99
  • STAR Large Gems Pack$9.99

Questions

Is Backgammon NJ HD free?
Backgammon NJ HD costs $7.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Ludo STAR free?
Ludo STAR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Backgammon NJ HD or Ludo STAR?
Backgammon NJ HD is rated higher. Backgammon NJ HD averages 4.5 out of 5 from 3.7K ratings, while Ludo STAR averages 4.5 from 105K ratings.
Do Backgammon NJ HD or Ludo STAR have ads?
Ludo STAR shows ads; Backgammon NJ HD does not.
Which is updated more often, Backgammon NJ HD or Ludo STAR?
Backgammon NJ HD ships an update every 5 months, and Ludo STAR every 6 days. Most recently, Backgammon NJ HD was updated on October 29, 2026 and Ludo STAR on October 31, 2026.
Which is more popular, Backgammon NJ HD or Ludo STAR?
Backgammon NJ HD currently peaks at #51 in the App Store charts, and Ludo STAR at #9. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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