# SimpleChess vs Chess

The clearest difference is rating: SimpleChess at 4.0 against Chess's 3.1. SimpleChess also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 21 months). Chess's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and ratings volume (75 vs 8). On price, review sentiment, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SimpleChess sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Chess asks for nothing beyond the download.

SimpleChess holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess has 75 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of SimpleChess's written reviews are positive against 49% of Chess's.

SimpleChess ships an update every 8 days, Chess every 21 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SimpleChess | Chess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.0 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplechess-chess-game/id394634657/reviews)** | [3.1 (75 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-free/id541067628/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **75** |
| Positive reviews | **52.7% of reviews** | 48.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 21 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 82 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **5.1.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Europe Echecs](https://appshunter.io/developer/394634660) | [况 郭](https://appshunter.io/developer/499174210) |

## What reviewers say

### SimpleChess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplechess-chess-game/id394634657)

Engage in a straightforward and rapid chess experience. Compete globally, customize your board and pieces, and track your ELO ranking. Enhance your skills with tactical training and puzzle battles.

**Highlights:** Online multiplayer chess, Customizable chessboards and pieces, Tactical training modules, Puzzle battles, ELO ranking tracking, Chess960 variant

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Essential Pack (Monthly plan) | $2.99 | per month |
| Premium Pack (Monthly plan) | $3.99 | per month |
| Essential Pack (Annual Plan) | $24.99 | per year |
| Premium Pack (Annual Plan) | $34.99 | per year |
| 1 month extend | $0.99 | one-time |
| 3 months extend | $1.99 | one-time |
| 6 month extend | $3.99 | one-time |
| 1 year extend | $5.99 | one-time |


### Chess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-free/id541067628)

Engage in classic chess with a feature-rich application. Play against AI across ten difficulty levels, challenge friends locally or online, and hone your skills with thousands of puzzles. Customize your experience with various board and piece styles.

**Highlights:** Play against AI or friends, 10 difficulty levels, Online and LAN multiplayer, 38,000+ chess puzzles, Customizable boards and pieces, Load/save games (PGN), Thousands of classic games

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SimpleChess free?

SimpleChess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Chess free?

Chess is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SimpleChess or Chess?

SimpleChess is rated higher. SimpleChess averages 4.0 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Chess averages 3.1 from 75 ratings.

### Do SimpleChess or Chess have ads?

Chess shows ads; SimpleChess does not.

### Which is updated more often, SimpleChess or Chess?

SimpleChess ships an update every 8 days, and Chess every 21 months. Most recently, SimpleChess was updated on October 17, 2026 and Chess on October 20, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*