# SimpleChess vs Dr. Chess

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Dr. Chess at none against SimpleChess's 4. Dr. Chess also leads on ratings volume (294 vs 8) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.0). SimpleChess's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SimpleChess sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Dr. Chess asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.0 for SimpleChess against 4.1 for Dr. Chess. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dr. Chess has 294 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 53% of SimpleChess's written reviews are positive against 43% of Dr. Chess's.

SimpleChess ships an update every 8 days, Dr. Chess every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 13, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SimpleChess | Dr. Chess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplechess-chess-game/id394634657/reviews) | **[4.1 (294 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dr-chess/id909211603/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **294** |
| Positive reviews | **52.7% of reviews** | 42.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 82 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **10.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Europe Echecs](https://appshunter.io/developer/394634660) | [SUD Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/453469451) |

## 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 (4)**

| 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 |


### Dr. Chess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dr-chess/id909211603)

Engage in real-time online chess matches with players globally. Learn the rules and strategies of this classic two-player board game, aiming to checkmate your opponent's king. Compete in a world of millions of chess enthusiasts.

**Highlights:** Real-time online multiplayer chess, Global player matchmaking, Learn chess rules and strategy, Classic board game experience, Compete worldwide

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Engaging chess gameplay mechanics
- 🌍 Global multiplayer connectivity
- 🎨 Good graphics and visual design
- ⚡ Fast-paced game mode available
- 🏆 Ranking and rating system

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnection exploits by cheaters
- 📱 App crashes when switching between apps
- 🔊 Audio settings not working properly
- ⚠️ Difficulty levels not balanced correctly
- 🚫 Forced forfeit on accidental app exit

**Reported bugs**

- Disconnection message appears when winning (suspected cheat exploit)
- Ads get stuck and require phone restart
- Sound intermittently cuts in and out
- Game shows loss when app is closed mid-game
- Screen timeout causes automatic forfeit

**Requested features**

- Friend list and ability to play with friends
- In-app chat functionality
- Account linking (Google, Facebook, etc.)
- Game export for analysis
- Tournament mode


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SimpleChess free?

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

### Is Dr. Chess free?

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

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

Dr. Chess is rated higher. SimpleChess averages 4.0 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Dr. Chess averages 4.1 from 294 ratings.

### Do SimpleChess or Dr. Chess have ads?

Dr. Chess shows ads; SimpleChess does not.

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

SimpleChess ships an update every 8 days, and Dr. Chess every 3 weeks. Most recently, SimpleChess was updated on November 13, 2026 and Dr. Chess on November 13, 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.*