Comparison

SparkChess Pro vs Chess Deluxe

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

Head to head
About

SparkChess Pro

This ancient strategy game offers a fun and accessible experience for all skill levels. Practice against the computer, challenge friends online, or learn with interactive lessons and puzzles. Features include various board styles, a virtual coach, and progress tracking.

Highlights
  • Practice against computer or friends
  • Interactive lessons and puzzles
  • Multiple board styles (2D, 3D, fantasy)
  • Virtual Chess Coach
  • Multiplayer progress tracking
  • Save and replay games
Features
Read full description

SparkChess is the only chess game that puts fun first. With a choice of boards, computer opponents and online play, it delivers a first-class experience that is as accessible to experts as it is to beginners, kids and anyone else who wants to discover how entertaining this ancient strategy game really is. The chess game that everyone can enjoy! Too many chess apps are impossible for anyone but the experts and masters. The real test of a truly intelligent chess game isn’t how hard it is to beat, but how well it can adapt to players of all skill levels. That’s exactly what makes the award-winning SparkChess stand out. Whether you’re brand new to the chess board, looking to improve your game, to teach your kids to play, or are ready to take it to the next challenging level, everyone can find the perfect balance in SparkChess. FEATURES: * Practice chess against the computer or challenge your friends in multiplayer. * A simple user interface that makes it easy to set up and play games. * Choose from different boards: 2D, 3D and a stunning fantasy chess set. * Play casual, quick or expert games, depending on your level. * Learn chess with over 30 interactive lessons. * Study famous historcal games. * Test your skills with over 70 chess puzzles. * Learn and practice common openings and their variations (over 100 in total). * A Virtual Chess Coach explains the consequences of your moves. * The only chess game that appeals to beginners and experts alike. * Track your multiplayer progress with statistics. * Create and join teams. * Save and replay your games. * Import/Export games in PGN format. * Watch and comment on live multiplayer games. * Child-safe design, with built-in anti-abuse measures built-in. * Edit the board. * Large and friendly community of chess lovers from all over the world. Young or old, beginner or advanced, SparkChess gives you the extra edge to become a better chess player while having fun! REVIEWS “Your chess board and pieces are the best by far (compared to any other program, including Fritz 12).” “SparkChess is a superbly presented and polished program. I think you have achieved your aim of making chess fun, accessible and entertaining for a wide audience.” “I love the game and play it regularly - great work on the game” “SparkChess provides deep, intelligent gameplay… [Its] multiplayer offerings are just as impressive.” ~ MaximumPC.com, app of the week.

About

Chess Deluxe

Enjoy a classic chess experience with a beautiful interface and adaptive AI. Play against smart opponents, challenge friends locally or online, and track your progress with detailed game history. This app offers a distraction-free environment for pure chess enjoyment across multiple devices.

Highlights
  • Smart AI opponents (Easy, Medium, Hard)
  • Local multiplayer (same device)
  • Online matches via Game Center
  • Unlimited undo/redo
  • Move history in Standard Algebraic Notation
  • Light and dark themes
  • iCloud settings sync
Features
Read full description

Experience the timeless game of chess with beautiful design and intelligent gameplay. Chess Deluxe brings the classic strategy game to life with a modern, elegant interface and responsive AI that adapts to your skill level. Whether you're learning your first moves or honing your tactics, enjoy chess exactly how you want to play it - with no ads, no distractions, just pure chess. Play Your Way: - Smart AI opponents with Easy, Medium, and Hard difficulties that provide quick, challenging gameplay - Local multiplayer for face-to-face games on the same device - Game Center integration for online matches with friends anywhere - Flexible move controls with unlimited undo/redo and move highlighting - Complete game tracking with move history in Standard Algebraic Notation Beautiful & Intuitive: - Clean, distraction-free interface designed for pure chess enjoyment - Smooth animations and satisfying piece movement - Board rotation for comfortable two-player games - Captured pieces display and game timer with customisable durations - Light and dark themes to match your preference - Crisp sounds that enhance gameplay without interruption Seamlessly Connected: - Settings sync across all your devices with iCloud - Navigate through your game history by selecting any completed move - No advertisements to interrupt your focus - Universal purchase includes iOS, iPadOS, and macOS versions Chess Deluxe is crafted for chess lovers who appreciate thoughtful design and straightforward gameplay. From quick casual games to focused strategy sessions, experience chess the way it should be - simple, beautiful, and always ready when you are.

Screenshots

SparkChess Pro4 screens
Chess Deluxe4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Chess Deluxe at $2.99 against SparkChess Pro's $24.99. Chess Deluxe also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.4) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). SparkChess Pro's advantage is review sentiment (61% vs 33%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

SparkChess Pro costs $24.99 and Chess Deluxe $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Chess Deluxe holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 42 and 190 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 61% of SparkChess Pro's written reviews are positive against 33% of Chess Deluxe's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SparkChess Pro ships an update every 4 months, Chess Deluxe every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SparkChess Pro versus Chess Deluxe: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSparkChess ProChess Deluxe
Price$24.99$2.99 — better
Rating4.4 (42 ratings)4.6 (190 ratings) — better
Positive reviews60.9% of reviews — better32.7% of reviews
Number of ratings42190 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS13.0 — better17
Further details — not scored
Size65 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMedia Division SRLNicholas Cooke

Customer experience

SparkChess Pro

All ratings42 ratings
Positive81.0%
Neutral7.1%
Negative11.9%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive60.9%
Neutral13.0%
Negative26.1%

Chess Deluxe

All ratings190 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral5.3%
Negative5.8%
Written reviews55 reviews
Positive32.7%
Neutral7.3%
Negative60.0%

Bugs and requests

SparkChess Pro

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Chess Deluxe

Reported bugs

28 issues
  • Computer won't let you win
  • Computer moves king to white king
  • Game says won when losing
  • All pieces are black
  • Cannot castle king and rook
Show 23 more
  • Hard version is easy to beat
  • Movements don't feel good
  • Sound isn't good
  • Cannot play online without crashing
  • No way to start a game
  • No play button
  • Unable to use program
  • Doesn't work on iPad
  • Doesn't seem to work on IOS 9
  • Unable to go past add player name screen
  • Game ends with incorrect checkmate
  • Rook unable to move to corner piece
  • Check counted as checkmate
  • Stalemate called incorrectly
  • Computer castles illegally
  • Computer throws pieces away
  • Internet mode doesn't work
  • Cannot find users online
  • King turns into opponent's queen
  • Valid moves blocked
  • Cannot play online without redoing moves
  • Castling doesn't work
  • Cannot resign or remove game

Requested features

8 requests
  • How to record a game
  • Intermediate difficulty level
  • Option to turn off timer
  • See board labels (g column cut off)
  • Board labels visible with pieces
Show 3 more
  • Cross-platform compatibility (iPhone/Mac)
  • Sound effects for piece movements
  • Online play beyond Wi-Fi proximity

In-app purchases

None

SparkChess Pro

No in-app purchases

None

Chess Deluxe

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SparkChess Pro free?
SparkChess Pro costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chess Deluxe free?
Chess Deluxe costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SparkChess Pro or Chess Deluxe?
Chess Deluxe is rated higher. SparkChess Pro averages 4.4 out of 5 from 42 ratings, while Chess Deluxe averages 4.6 from 190 ratings.
Do SparkChess Pro or Chess Deluxe have ads?
Neither SparkChess Pro nor Chess Deluxe shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SparkChess Pro or Chess Deluxe?
SparkChess Pro ships an update every 4 months, and Chess Deluxe every 2 months. Most recently, SparkChess Pro was updated on November 10, 2026 and Chess Deluxe on November 10, 2026.

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