SimpleChess vs Classic Chess
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Online multiplayer chess
- Customizable chessboards and pieces
- Tactical training modules
- Puzzle battles
- ELO ranking tracking
- Chess960 variant
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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!
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.
- Offline chess gameplay
- 2-player local multiplayer
- Smart AI opponents
- Undo and restart moves
- Clean UI and smooth animations
- Ad-free upgrade option
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*** #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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
SimpleChess ships an update every 8 days, Classic Chess monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SimpleChess | Classic Chess |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (8 ratings) | 4.2 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 52.7% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 8 days — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 82 MB | 37 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Europe Echecs | Rodrigo Belloso |
Customer experience
SimpleChess
Classic Chess
In-app purchases
SimpleChess
- Essential Pack (Monthly plan)$2.991 Month
- Premium Pack (Monthly plan)$3.991 Month
- Essential Pack (Annual Plan)$24.991 Year
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- Premium Pack (Annual Plan)$34.991 Year
Classic Chess
- Halloween Set$1.99
- Cartoon Set$1.99
- Neon Royale Set$1.99
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- Go Chess Pro with 40% Discount$2.99
- Remove Ads$3.99
Questions
Is SimpleChess free?
Is Classic Chess free?
Which has better reviews, SimpleChess or Classic Chess?
Do SimpleChess or Classic Chess have ads?
Which is updated more often, SimpleChess or Classic Chess?
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