Comparison

Backgammon Guru 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 Guru

Master the game of backgammon with a powerful AI opponent and tutor. Analyze your games, explore "what-if" scenarios, and improve your strategy with detailed move analysis and equity graphs. Play against the computer or a friend.

Highlights
  • Master-strength AI opponent
  • Player-Tutor mode
  • Position setup and analysis
  • Unlimited undo functionality
  • Match analysis with error highlighting (Pro)
  • Equity graph and statistical chances
  • Supports standard and HyperGammon
Features
Read full description

Backgammon Guru & Backgammon Guru Pro are modern backgammon master-strength Players and Tutors based on the world-class neural net engine from gammonlab.com Backgammon Guru and Guru Pro versions feature attractive backgammon boards and support natural checker movement where both dragging and tapping are supported. You can play against the computer or with a friend. Guru & Guru Pro support standard Backgammon as well as HyperGammon. They will also allow you to set up any desired position for play and analysis. Guru & Guru Pro will answer your "what-if" questions, like what if there was a specific roll in a specific position and what's the best possible move there. In the default Player-Tutor mode, e.g. when you are playing against a master-strength AI, Backgammon Guru & Guru Pro will allow you to substitute a random roll with any specific roll of your choice. You will be able to take back and replay multiple moves as Backgammon Guru & Guru Pro support unlimited undo functionality. Backgammon Guru Pro version will analyze your match and color-code your errors in a move list. With Backgammon Guru Pro you will be able to navigate your move list interactively and see where you could have played better. You can also email the match to yourself for further analysis. While Backgammon Guru Pro by default continuosly shows the equity graph, in Backgammon Guru you would also be able to see, upon request, the statistical chances and best possible moves in any position. Backgammon Guru Pro supports 4 different skill levels, multi-point matches, doubling, Crawford rule. Both Guru & Guru Pro indicate pip count for players, support long moves, sound effects and multiple other options. As opposed to Backgammon Guru, Backgammon Guru Pro version has no ads and offers many more options. You can always play Backgammon Live and other games for prizes at GameColony.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 Guru1 screens
Backgammon Tutor4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Backgammon Guru at 80% against Backgammon Tutor's 27%. Backgammon Guru also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). Backgammon Tutor's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 3.9) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 14 months). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Backgammon Tutor sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. Backgammon Guru asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Backgammon Tutor holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 87 and 307 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 80% of Backgammon Guru's written reviews are positive against 27% of Backgammon Tutor's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Backgammon Guru ships an update every 14 months, Backgammon Tutor every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 4, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Backgammon Guru versus Backgammon Tutor: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBackgammon GuruBackgammon Tutor
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (87 ratings)4.4 (307 ratings) — better
Positive reviews79.7% of reviews — better27.0% of reviews
Number of ratings87307 — better
Update frequencyEvery 14 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS6.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB16 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperBPS SoftwareQuatrian Inc.

Customer experience

Backgammon Guru

All ratings87 ratings
Positive75.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative24.1%
Written reviews153 reviews
Positive79.7%
Neutral0.7%
Negative19.6%

Backgammon Tutor

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

User reviews

Backgammon Guru

From 87 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 User-friendly interface and easy to learn
  • 🎮 Engaging and addictive gameplay
  • 📚 Excellent for learning backgammon strategy
  • 🎨 Good graphics and visual design
  • 🔄 Undo/replay feature for learning moves

Room to improve

  • 🎲 Unfair dice rolls - computer gets excessive doubles
  • 😤 Computer appears to cheat consistently
  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and technical issues
  • 📱 Board display problems on certain devices
  • 🔊 Poor sound design and limited audio controls

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 Guru

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • Board displays all pips as initial position
  • Scrambled board display on iPhone 12 with iOS 14
  • Game crashes frequently during gameplay
  • Server connection issues prevent auto-move functionality
  • Game crashes when changing settings
Show 3 more
  • Slow and delayed piece animations
  • Cramped screen layout with permanent ad banner
  • Game doesn't properly handle multiple checkers on bar

Requested features

7 requests
  • Fix continuous doubles bias in dice rolls
  • Improve analysis explanations for why moves are good/bad
  • Add volume control separate from on/off toggle
  • Better visual feedback for selected pieces
  • Improve server connection reliability
Show 2 more
  • Make board orientation free feature
  • Add more detailed strategy guidance for beginners

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

None

Backgammon Guru

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Backgammon Tutor

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

Questions

Is Backgammon Guru free?
Backgammon Guru is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Backgammon Tutor free?
Backgammon Tutor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Backgammon Guru or Backgammon Tutor?
Backgammon Tutor is rated higher. Backgammon Guru averages 3.9 out of 5 from 87 ratings, while Backgammon Tutor averages 4.4 from 307 ratings.
Do Backgammon Guru or Backgammon Tutor have ads?
Backgammon Tutor shows ads; Backgammon Guru does not.
Which is updated more often, Backgammon Guru or Backgammon Tutor?
Backgammon Guru ships an update every 14 months, and Backgammon Tutor every 2 months. Most recently, Backgammon Guru was updated on October 4, 2026 and Backgammon Tutor on October 4, 2026.

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