Comparison

Chess vs Chess Timer

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

Head to head
About

Chess

Master the game of chess with this comprehensive app. Learn step-by-step, play against adaptive AI across 100 difficulty levels, and sharpen your skills with thousands of puzzles. Enjoy offline play and track your progress with an ELO rating.

Highlights
  • 100 difficulty levels
  • Interactive learning coach
  • Thousands of chess puzzles
  • Adaptive AI opponent
  • ELO rating tracker
  • Multiple game modes
  • Offline play
Features
Read full description

Play Chess – Learn, Train & Challenge with the Ultimate Chess App Take your chess to the next level with the ultimate chess app for iPhone and iPad. Whether you’re a beginner learning chess, an intermediate player looking to improve, or an advanced competitor training like a grandmaster, our app has everything you need. Powered by an award-winning chess engine, it feels like you’re playing against a real opponent – not just a computer. With 100 skill levels, automatic ELO rating tracking, and personalized difficulty that adapts to your style, you’ll always find the perfect challenge. No accounts. No fuss. Just download and start playing chess instantly. Key Features World Chess Champion Software 2026 Award Winner using Ginkgo 150 difficulty levels – from beginner to grandmaster strength Adaptive chess engine – plays like a human and adjusts to your skill ELO rating calculator – track your progress and growth Powerful AI – ranked 4th in the World Microcomputer Chess Championship Learn chess with a built-in coach – highlights best moves and alternatives Solve 1000s of chess puzzles – improve tactics, strategy, and endgame skills Huge book of chess openings Database of famous chess games – study, replay, and analyze the masters Multiple modes – Classic, Blitz, Training, Two-Player, and Analysis Mode Custom boards and sets – from traditional chess book style to modern themes Full chess rules supported – castling, en passant, pawn promotion, and more Minimal ads, no login required – play chess instantly without interruptions Whether you enjoy casual games, serious training, or fast-paced blitz chess, this app has you covered. Always challenging, sometimes aggressive, and never boring – just like real chess should be. Perfect for: Beginners who want to learn chess step by step Casual players who enjoy fun, relaxing games Competitive players who want to train like a grandmaster Puzzle lovers who want to sharpen their tactics End User License Agreement ("Agreement") (EULA) https://www.mastersoft.biz/eula.htm Privacy policy https://www.mastersoft.biz/privacy.htm

About

Chess Timer

A straightforward dual timer designed for over-the-board chess and other two-player competitive games. It allows for customizable time increments, delays, and overtime limits, functioning as a simple chess clock or for games like Scrabble and Go.

Highlights
  • Dual timer for two-player games
  • Fischer, Bronstein, and simple delay increments
  • Overtime limits with penalties
  • Supports games like Scrabble and Go
  • Intuitive tap-to-switch interface
Features
Read full description

Chess Timer is a simple dual timer for over-the-board chess and other two player games. Place you phone flat on the table beside the chess board. Only one clock runs at a time. Tapping the clock face stops one clock and starts the other players clock. Can be used with other competitive two-player board game such as Scrabble, shogi or go. Pro Features: Extra time can be added every turn in one of three ways: Fischer, Bronstein, or a simple delay. Fischer: Time is added to the clock at the end of each turn. Bronstein: Time is added to the clock at the end of each turn, but never more than the turn time. E.g. if the increment is 10 seconds, but the player only takes only 6 seconds on their turn, then 6 seconds is added to the clock. Simple delay: A simple delay before the clock starts each turn. Overtime: An overtime limit can be allowed for each player and penalty points are given for the amount of overtime used. This can be used, for example, as a Scrabble clock.

Screenshots

Chess4 screens
Chess Timer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Chess at 90% against Chess Timer's 43%. Chess also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 11 months) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). Chess Timer's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and iOS requirement 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. Chess sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Chess Timer 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

Chess holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess has 1.6K ratings behind it against 55, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of Chess's written reviews are positive against 43% of Chess Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess ships an update every 5 days, Chess Timer every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Chess versus Chess Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChessChess Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (1.6K ratings) — better4.3 (55 ratings)
Positive reviews90.5% of reviews — better42.9% of reviews
Number of ratings1.6K — better55
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 11 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size277 MB2 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperMastersoftDAVID CROOKS SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT LIMITED

Customer experience

Chess

All ratings1,553 ratings
Positive92.1%
Neutral3.9%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews2,036 reviews
Positive90.5%
Neutral4.1%
Negative5.5%

Chess Timer

All ratings55 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral7.3%
Negative10.9%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive42.9%
Neutral42.9%
Negative14.3%

Bugs and requests

Chess

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Pawn disappearing issue when castling
  • Ratings not updating properly after games
  • Crashes on certain iOS versions

Requested features

4 requests
  • More detailed explanations for suggested moves
  • Option to play against other users online
  • Ability to set up custom board positions
  • Slower computer move speeds for beginners

Chess Timer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Chess

Subscriptions1
  • Chess Pro for 1 month.$2.991 Month
One-time2
  • Buy Chess Pro.$2.99
  • Upgrade to Ginkgo. 10% Off.$9.95
1 purchases

Chess Timer

One-time1
  • Chess Timer Pro$2.99

Questions

Is Chess free?
Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Chess Timer free?
Chess Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Chess or Chess Timer?
Chess is rated higher. Chess averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Chess Timer averages 4.3 from 55 ratings.
Do Chess or Chess Timer have ads?
Chess shows ads; Chess Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Chess or Chess Timer?
Chess ships an update every 5 days, and Chess Timer every 11 months. Most recently, Chess was updated on October 14, 2026 and Chess Timer on September 30, 2026.

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