Comparison

Backgammon NJ HD vs Backgammon Tutor

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
Currently charting
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

Backgammon Tutor

This app serves as a comprehensive tutor for learning and playing backgammon. It offers various game modes, including against AI or other players, with features like progressive undo, move suggestions, and detailed statistics. Customize your experience with extensive settings and enjoy enhanced graphics on multiple devices.

Highlights
  • AI Tutor for learning
  • Play against computer or players
  • Progressive undo and move suggestions
  • Game Center achievements and leaderboards
  • Local network and pass-the-device modes
  • Detailed statistics tracking
  • Customizable settings
Features
Read full description

* MOST User Friendly BACKGAMMON App * - Tutor for Computer games, helps you learn how to play. - Invite players or play with random opponents. - Rematch option at the end of a match. - Game Center achievements and leader boards. Highlights include: - Look for Game Center auto-match opponents while playing a local game - Option to switch board home position and swap color. - Text chat feature for all network games (Game Center, Local Network). Can be turned OFF. - Play a Local Network game (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi), against the computer, or a pass-the-device game. - Skill rating, won games, won match points and experience scores for completed Game Center matches. - Progressive undo, replay last move, PIP values, doubling cube, human powered random rolls. - Checkers are easy to select and move, with variable animation speed. - Optionally show all possible moves for any piece, or use "one-tap" moves. - Play 1, 3, 5 or unlimited-point matches. - Resignation with 1, 2, 3 and unlimited times multiplier. - Universal App: enhanced graphics for iPad and retina displays. - Neural Network based advanced computer algorithm. - Extensive settings screen allows users to customize their experience (see screen shots). - Multiple dice rolling algorithms. - Statistics screen: tracks games won, matches points won, as well as dice roll statistics. - If the losing player disconnects from the game the winning player gets awarded the win. - 60-second time limit per move for Game Center Auto-Match games.

Screenshots

Backgammon NJ HD4 screens
Backgammon Tutor4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Backgammon Tutor at Free against Backgammon NJ HD's $7.99. Backgammon Tutor also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). Backgammon NJ HD's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (56% vs 27%). 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

Backgammon Tutor is free to download; Backgammon NJ HD costs $7.99 up front. Backgammon NJ HD sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Backgammon Tutor sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. 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 4.4 for Backgammon Tutor. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backgammon NJ HD has 3.6K ratings behind it against 307, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 56% of Backgammon NJ HD's written reviews are positive against 27% of Backgammon Tutor's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Backgammon NJ HD ships an update every 5 months, Backgammon Tutor every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Backgammon NJ HD versus Backgammon Tutor: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBackgammon NJ HDBackgammon Tutor
Price$7.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (3.6K ratings) — better4.4 (307 ratings)
Positive reviews55.7% of reviews — better27.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3.6K — better307
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#137 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.4 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB16 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperJimmy HuQuatrian Inc.

Customer experience

Backgammon NJ HD

All ratings3,647 ratings
Positive88.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative8.1%
Written reviews574 reviews
Positive55.7%
Neutral7.8%
Negative36.4%

Backgammon Tutor

All ratings307 ratings
Positive84.0%
Neutral5.9%
Negative10.1%
Written reviews37 reviews
Positive27.0%
Neutral16.2%
Negative56.8%

User reviews

Backgammon NJ HD

From 3.6K 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

Backgammon Tutor

From 307 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great for learning backgammon
  • 👍 Skill levels are perfect
  • 👍 Fun to play
  • 👍 Good competitive game
  • 👍 Can play fast

Room to improve

  • 👎 App crashes and restarts
  • 👎 Tutor doesn't teach
  • 👎 Computer cheats
  • 👎 Dice rolls are rigged
  • 👎 Unfair play

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

Backgammon Tutor

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • App crashes and restarts
  • Computer rolls too many doubles
  • Computer rolls specific numbers to win
  • Computer cheats
  • Dice rolls are not random
Show 7 more
  • Game is rigged
  • Computer always wins initial roll
  • Computer gets doubles more often
  • Computer rolls 6 more frequently
  • Skill ratings not kept
  • Does not work on older phones
  • Not compatible with older iOS versions

Requested features

7 requests
  • Increase customization options
  • More step-by-step instructions
  • Auto-roll option
  • Auto-select knocked out piece
  • Option to re-roll dice
Show 2 more
  • Recognize when game has limited moves and notify player with auto-complete option
  • Market better to increase online players

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Backgammon NJ HD

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

Backgammon Tutor

Subscriptions1
  • No Ads Subscription$1.991 Year
One-time1
  • No Ads$4.99

Questions

Is Backgammon NJ HD free?
Backgammon NJ HD costs $7.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Backgammon Tutor free?
Backgammon Tutor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Backgammon NJ HD or Backgammon Tutor?
Backgammon NJ HD is rated higher. Backgammon NJ HD averages 4.5 out of 5 from 3.6K ratings, while Backgammon Tutor averages 4.4 from 307 ratings.
Do Backgammon NJ HD or Backgammon Tutor have ads?
Backgammon Tutor shows ads; Backgammon NJ HD does not.
Which is updated more often, Backgammon NJ HD or Backgammon Tutor?
Backgammon NJ HD ships an update every 5 months, and Backgammon Tutor every 2 months. Most recently, Backgammon NJ HD was updated on October 1, 2026 and Backgammon Tutor on September 8, 2026.

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