Comparison

SparkChess Pro vs Chess Notation Lab Pro

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 Notation Lab Pro

Master chess board coordinates and piece movement with interactive training modes. Improve your ability to visualize moves, read notation, and speed up calculations for a stronger game.

Highlights
  • Identify squares by coordinate
  • Visualize piece movement
  • Translate moves to notation
  • Identify square color
  • Two training modes
  • Untimed practice mode
  • Global leaderboards
Features
Read full description

Welcome to Chess Notation Lab! Are you struggling to identify squares, remember sequences, and follow chess notations? Do you have trouble visualizing Bishop diagonals? Or Knight jumps? Or worse, mapping the available moves for the Queen to get/avoid a deadly fork? This training app is designed to end this misery. There are 2 training modes, each with 5 unique training sessions carefully designed to dramatically uplift your mastery over chess squares and fluid piece movement. A small dose of regular practice will empower you to: 1. Spot a square as soon as you hear or see its coordinate 2. Fluidly move any piece around the board, even without a board 3. Translate a sequence of moves into their notation with ease 4. Immediately identify the color of a square 5. Stay oriented regardless of whether you're white or black 6. Follow along with chess tutorials, books, or discussions at ease and comfort 7. Massively speed up your thought process on any calculation 8. Finally, start playing blind chess! There are well thought out features everywhere, like different time controls for training, untimed practice mode, hints and tips during gameplay, achievements and milestones, global leaderboards and a complete visualization of your records. Don't be surprised if you see a sudden surge of rating simply increasing your strength on square reading. This is a beautiful and satisfyingly addictive way to master over the chessboard. Caution: If you are rated below 1500, this app may be less useful for you, and tactics training should be prioritized.

Screenshots

SparkChess Pro4 screens
Chess Notation Lab Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Chess Notation Lab Pro at $9.99 against SparkChess Pro's $24.99. Chess Notation Lab Pro also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 61%) and update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months). SparkChess Pro's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.6). 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 Notation Lab Pro $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SparkChess Pro ships an update every 4 months, Chess Notation Lab Pro weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SparkChess Pro versus Chess Notation Lab Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSparkChess ProChess Notation Lab Pro
Price$24.99$9.99 — better
Rating4.4 (42 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews60.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings42 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size65 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMedia Division SRLNishat Majid

Customer experience

SparkChess Pro

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

Chess Notation Lab Pro

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

SparkChess Pro

No in-app purchases

None

Chess Notation Lab Pro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SparkChess Pro free?
SparkChess Pro costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chess Notation Lab Pro free?
Chess Notation Lab Pro costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do SparkChess Pro or Chess Notation Lab Pro have ads?
Neither SparkChess Pro nor Chess Notation Lab Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SparkChess Pro or Chess Notation Lab Pro?
SparkChess Pro ships an update every 4 months, and Chess Notation Lab Pro weekly. Most recently, SparkChess Pro was updated on September 23, 2026 and Chess Notation Lab Pro on September 7, 2026.

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