Mastersoft Chess vs SparkChess Pro
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Mastersoft 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.
- 100 difficulty levels
- Interactive learning coach
- Thousands of chess puzzles
- Adaptive AI opponent
- ELO rating tracker
- Multiple game modes
- Offline play
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Chess – Learn Chess, Play Chess & Train Like a Grandmaster Learn chess step by step, play chess at any level, and train with the ultimate chess app for iPhone and iPad. Whether you’re a complete beginner learning chess or a competitive player mastering advanced tactics, this chess trainer gives you everything you need. Powered by an award-winning chess engine, you can play chess at up to 150 difficulty levels – from beginner to grandmaster. With adaptive AI, automatic ELO ratings, multiplayer modes, and thousands of chess puzzles, every match is a new challenge. No account required. Just download and start playing chess instantly. Key Features • 150 Levels of Chess – from beginner to expert strength and way beyond. • Learn Chess Easily – built-in trainer and interactive coach. • Adaptive AI – feels like playing against a real opponent. • Chess Puzzles & Tactics – thousands of puzzles to sharpen skills. • ELO Rating Tracker – follow your progress and growth. • Openings & Famous Games – study proven strategies. • Multiple Modes – Classic, Blitz, Training, 2-Player, and Analysis. • Custom Boards & Sets – from traditional to modern themes. • Full Chess Rules – castling, pawn promotion, en passant, and more. • Offline Play – play chess anywhere, no login or internet needed. Why Choose This Chess App? • Beginners can learn chess step by step. • Casual players can play chess for fun or practice. • Puzzle lovers can solve thousands of chess tactics. • Competitors can train like grandmasters with real challenge. Whether you enjoy slow strategy, fast blitz chess, or deep puzzle-solving, this chess app adapts to your style. Always challenging, always fun. End User License Agreement ("Agreement") (EULA) https://www.mastersoft.biz/eula.htm Privacy policy https://www.mastersoft.biz/privacy.htm
SparkChess Pro
This ancient strategy game offers a fun and accessible experience for all skill levels. Practice against the computer, challenge friends online, or learn with interactive lessons and puzzles. Features include various board styles, a virtual coach, and progress tracking.
- Practice against computer or friends
- Interactive lessons and puzzles
- Multiple board styles (2D, 3D, fantasy)
- Virtual Chess Coach
- Multiplayer progress tracking
- Save and replay games
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SparkChess is the only chess game that puts fun first. With a choice of boards, computer opponents and online play, it delivers a first-class experience that is as accessible to experts as it is to beginners, kids and anyone else who wants to discover how entertaining this ancient strategy game really is. The chess game that everyone can enjoy! Too many chess apps are impossible for anyone but the experts and masters. The real test of a truly intelligent chess game isn’t how hard it is to beat, but how well it can adapt to players of all skill levels. That’s exactly what makes the award-winning SparkChess stand out. Whether you’re brand new to the chess board, looking to improve your game, to teach your kids to play, or are ready to take it to the next challenging level, everyone can find the perfect balance in SparkChess. FEATURES: * Practice chess against the computer or challenge your friends in multiplayer. * A simple user interface that makes it easy to set up and play games. * Choose from different boards: 2D, 3D and a stunning fantasy chess set. * Play casual, quick or expert games, depending on your level. * Learn chess with over 30 interactive lessons. * Study famous historcal games. * Test your skills with over 70 chess puzzles. * Learn and practice common openings and their variations (over 100 in total). * A Virtual Chess Coach explains the consequences of your moves. * The only chess game that appeals to beginners and experts alike. * Track your multiplayer progress with statistics. * Create and join teams. * Save and replay your games. * Import/Export games in PGN format. * Watch and comment on live multiplayer games. * Child-safe design, with built-in anti-abuse measures built-in. * Edit the board. * Large and friendly community of chess lovers from all over the world. Young or old, beginner or advanced, SparkChess gives you the extra edge to become a better chess player while having fun! REVIEWS “Your chess board and pieces are the best by far (compared to any other program, including Fritz 12).” “SparkChess is a superbly presented and polished program. I think you have achieved your aim of making chess fun, accessible and entertaining for a wide audience.” “I love the game and play it regularly - great work on the game” “SparkChess provides deep, intelligent gameplay… [Its] multiplayer offerings are just as impressive.” ~ MaximumPC.com, app of the week.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Mastersoft Chess at Free against SparkChess Pro's $24.99. Mastersoft Chess also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 4 months) and review sentiment (90% vs 61%). SparkChess Pro's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). On 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
Mastersoft Chess is free to download; SparkChess Pro costs $24.99 up front. Mastersoft Chess sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. SparkChess Pro asks for nothing beyond the download.
Mastersoft Chess holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mastersoft Chess has 1.5K ratings behind it against 42, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of Mastersoft Chess's written reviews are positive against 61% of SparkChess Pro's.
Mastersoft Chess ships an update every 5 days, SparkChess Pro every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Mastersoft Chess | SparkChess Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $24.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (1.5K ratings) — better | 4.4 (42 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 90.5% of reviews — better | 60.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.5K — better | 42 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 277 MB | 65 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mastersoft | Media Division SRL |
Customer experience
Mastersoft Chess
SparkChess Pro
Bugs and requests
Mastersoft 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
SparkChess Pro
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Mastersoft Chess
- Chess Pro for 1 month.$2.991 Month
- Buy Chess Pro.$2.99
- Upgrade to Ginkgo. 10% Off.$9.95
SparkChess Pro
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Mastersoft Chess free?
Is SparkChess Pro free?
Which has better reviews, Mastersoft Chess or SparkChess Pro?
Do Mastersoft Chess or SparkChess Pro have ads?
Which is updated more often, Mastersoft Chess or SparkChess Pro?
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