Comparison

SimpleChess 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

SimpleChess

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
Read full description

Play chess online - it's that simple! Simple, practical and fast, SimpleChess makes playing chess as easy as child's play! • It's free! • Compete against opponents from all over the world • Customize your chessboard, with 20 piece types and 40 chessboard designs • 10 different themes (5 dark, 5 light) • Choose your game rating: fast, blitz, bullet, or create the rating of your choice • Track your progress with your ELO ranking • Make progress with our tactical training modules • Challenge other players to a puzzle battle • Play Chess960, a variant of the chess game • Earn XP experience points with every game Become a member and enjoy additional features: • Analyze your games by computer • Find your friends easily • And enjoy full access to our training modules!

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

SimpleChess4 screens
Classic Chess3 screens

Verdict

The call

SimpleChess and Classic Chess both sit at 4.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Classic Chess's written reviews are positive against 53% of SimpleChess's. SimpleChess's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 8 days vs monthly). On price, rating, ratings volume 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. SimpleChess sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Classic Chess sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Classic Chess holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of SimpleChess's written reviews are positive against 100% of Classic Chess's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SimpleChess ships an update every 8 days, Classic Chess monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SimpleChess versus Classic Chess: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpleChessClassic Chess
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (8 ratings)4.2 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterMonthly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size82 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEurope EchecsRodrigo Belloso

Customer experience

SimpleChess

All ratings8 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews55 reviews
Positive52.7%
Neutral10.9%
Negative36.4%

Classic Chess

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

In-app purchases

4 purchases

SimpleChess

Subscriptions4
  • Essential Pack (Monthly plan)$2.991 Month
  • Premium Pack (Monthly plan)$3.991 Month
  • Essential Pack (Annual Plan)$24.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Premium Pack (Annual Plan)$34.991 Year
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 SimpleChess free?
SimpleChess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Classic Chess free?
Classic Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SimpleChess or Classic Chess?
Classic Chess is rated higher. SimpleChess averages 4.0 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Classic Chess averages 4.2 from 6 ratings.
Do SimpleChess or Classic Chess have ads?
Classic Chess shows ads; SimpleChess does not.
Which is updated more often, SimpleChess or Classic Chess?
SimpleChess ships an update every 8 days, and Classic Chess monthly. Most recently, SimpleChess was updated on November 1, 2026 and Classic Chess on October 30, 2026.

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