Comparison

Chess vs Flag

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

Flag

Features
Read full description

A real chess clock, built for real chess players. Most apps stop at Fischer, swap your color every turn, and put Bronstein behind a paywall. Flag does all of it, without a subscription. FIVE INCREMENT MODES • Fischer — increment added after every move. OTB and online standard. • Delay (USCF) — clock pauses for a fixed delay before counting down. • Bronstein — used time returned at end of move, capped at the increment. • Hourglass — time flows from one side to the other. • Byo-yomi — Japanese overtime periods after main time runs out. DISPLAY & TAP • Split or Color display modes. • Tap your own half (chess tradition) or tap anywhere — your choice. • Persistent White/Black sides — they don't swap based on turn. ALSO IN FLAG • Full game history with per-move timing • Stats dashboard — averages, move-time charts, time-trouble heatmap • Pause, resign, agree-draw shortcuts • Customizable haptics and sounds • Custom time-control presets — bullet, blitz, rapid, classical, byo-yomi PRO — ONE-TIME UNLOCK. NO SUBSCRIPTION. 7-day trial of every Pro feature. After that, a one-time unlock keeps everything forever. No subscription. No ads. Pay once, own it. Pro adds Bronstein, Hourglass, and Byo-yomi modes; 12+ premium clock themes (Wood, Tournament felt, Brass DGT, Carrara Marble, Library, Fischer 72, Havana, Zen, Frost, Streamer, Neon and more); unlimited custom presets; and premium switch sounds. PRIVACY Privacy: https://bountyapps.com/flag/privacy.html Terms: https://bountyapps.com/flag/terms.html

Screenshots

Chess4 screens
Flag4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Flag at none against Chess's shown. Flag also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 5 days). Chess's advantage is device support (4 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.6). On price and in-app purchases 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 Flag sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess ships an update every 5 days, Flag every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Chess versus Flag: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChessFlag
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (1.6K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.6K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size277 MB51 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperMastersoftAnton Voropaiev

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

Flag

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

Flag

One-time1
  • Flag Pro$4.99

Questions

Is Chess free?
Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Flag free?
Flag is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Chess or Flag have ads?
Chess shows ads; Flag does not.
Which is updated more often, Chess or Flag?
Chess ships an update every 5 days, and Flag every 2 days. Most recently, Chess was updated on October 18, 2026 and Flag on October 1, 2026.

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