Comparison

Digital Chess Clock vs Classic Chess

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

Head to head
About

Digital Chess Clock

This application transforms your iPhone into a digital chess clock. It displays move counts and remaining time, with customizable settings for delays and sound. Easily adjust clock times and manage game flow with intuitive pause and reset functions.

Highlights
  • Digital chess clock functionality
  • Displays move counts and remaining time
  • Customizable delay types (None, Bronstein, Fisher)
  • Adjustable clock times
  • Sound volume control
  • Pause and reset functions
Features
Read full description

This iPhone application allows the phone to act as a chess clock. The phone is placed to the side of the board with white being at the bottom of the phone, black at the top. The number of moves made is displayed, with the remaining number of moves left to make displayed in brackets. Pressing the start button causes the clock to start depending on whose turn it is to move. Once the clock is started the clock for the person to move starts counting down and the Clock text color changes to Black. The reset button, settings button and clock adjustment buttons are not available whilst the clock is running. Pressing the pause button whilst the clock is running will stop the clock and re-enable the settings, reset & clock adjust buttons (see the initial clock above). There are a number of setting to control the sound, the clock delay type and the initial clock settings. Pressing the settings button (the small letter i to the right of the start button) whilst paused brings up the setting display. The volume of the ticking is controlled by the slider on the settings page, moving it to the left reduces the volume of the clock. There are 3 settings for the delay type None - the clock will count down from the time the player makes a move. Bronstein - the clock will count down until the player makes a move at which point the delay time is added to the display. If the player takes less than the delay amount to make a move then only the amount of time taken to make the move is added. Fisher - the Delay amount is added to the time left and then the clock starts counting down. Each clock can be adjusted separately by pressing the adjust clock button (the small blue chevron at the bottom right of each clock). The clock time can be adjusted by pressing the appropriate amount of time to add or subtract (scroll down to see the times to subtract).

About

Classic Chess

Engage in classic chess battles offline or with a friend on the same device. Features smart AI, intuitive controls, and a clean interface for strategic gameplay. Offers options to undo moves and restart games, with an ad-free upgrade available.

Highlights
  • Offline chess gameplay
  • 2-player local multiplayer
  • Smart AI opponents
  • Undo and restart moves
  • Clean UI and smooth animations
  • Ad-free upgrade option
Features
Read full description

*** #1 Chess App in 13 Countries! *** 1 or 2 Players! *** Get on top of the Leaderboard! Play Classic Chess – the ultimate offline and 2-player chess game designed for pure strategy lovers. Whether you're new to chess or a master, enjoy a clean, beautiful board, intuitive controls, and smart AI opponents. No login required, no distractions – just classic chess fun. Play solo against the computer or locally with a friend. With features like undo moves, restart, and ad-free upgrade options, Classic Chess is ideal for casual and serious players alike. Train your mind, learn checkmates, and explore real chess tactics. Features: • Offline chess – no internet needed • 2 player chess on the same device • Undo and restart options • Classic board style and smooth animations • Clean UI optimized for iPad • Remove ads with one-time purchase • Supports English, Spanish (ajedrez) & more Download now and enjoy one of the best free chess games on the App Store. Perfect for fans of chess puzzles, chess masters, and anyone looking to play real chess on the go.

Screenshots

Digital Chess Clock4 screens
Classic Chess3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Digital Chess Clock at 5.0 against Classic Chess's 4.2. Digital Chess Clock also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5) and ads (none vs shown). Classic Chess's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 89%). On price 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. Classic Chess sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Digital Chess Clock asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Digital Chess Clock holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 6 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 89% of Digital Chess Clock's written reviews are positive against 100% of Classic Chess's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Digital Chess Clock ships an update every 4 months, Classic Chess monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Digital Chess Clock versus Classic Chess: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDigital Chess ClockClassic Chess
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.2 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews88.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings26 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPhilip BevanRodrigo Belloso

Customer experience

Digital Chess Clock

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%

Classic Chess

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Digital Chess Clock

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Classic Chess

One-time5
  • Halloween Set$1.99
  • Cartoon Set$1.99
  • Neon Royale Set$1.99
Show 2 more
  • Go Chess Pro with 40% Discount$2.99
  • Remove Ads$3.99

Questions

Is Digital Chess Clock free?
Digital Chess Clock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Classic Chess free?
Classic Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Digital Chess Clock or Classic Chess?
Digital Chess Clock is rated higher. Digital Chess Clock averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Classic Chess averages 4.2 from 6 ratings.
Do Digital Chess Clock or Classic Chess have ads?
Classic Chess shows ads; Digital Chess Clock does not.
Which is updated more often, Digital Chess Clock or Classic Chess?
Digital Chess Clock ships an update every 4 months, and Classic Chess monthly. Most recently, Digital Chess Clock was updated on October 16, 2026 and Classic Chess on October 24, 2026.

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