# Backgammon Masters vs Original Backgammon

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Original Backgammon at none against Backgammon Masters's 12. Backgammon Masters's advantage is rating (3.8 vs 3.3) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Backgammon Masters sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. Original Backgammon asks for nothing beyond the download.

Backgammon Masters holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backgammon Masters has 1.1K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 34% and 33% positive.

Backgammon Masters ships an update fortnightly, Original Backgammon every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and August 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backgammon Masters | Original Backgammon |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.8 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-masters/id466854342/reviews)** | [3.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/original-backgammon/id1340594129/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.1K** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | **33.6% of reviews** | 33.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Best chart rank | **#200** | — |
| Size | 329 MB | 123 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.5** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [2KB LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/447008232) | [MOBILEFUSION APPS LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/517591945) |

## What reviewers say

### Backgammon Masters

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-masters/id466854342)

**Currently charting:** #200 Top Grossing · Board (US App Store)

Experience the classic board game with modern graphics and multiple variations. Play against AI, friends, or online opponents in tournaments, with customizable profiles and live chat. Enjoy fair dice rolls and track your progress with extensive statistics.

**Highlights:** Multiple backgammon styles (Narde, Tavla, Nackgammon), Online multiplayer and AI opponent modes, Daily tournaments, Hotseat mode for local play, Customizable profiles and global chat, Fair and verifiable dice rolls, Extensive game statistics

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| "No ads package GIFT" | Free | one-time |
| "No ads package" | $1.99 | one-time |
| Gold coins | $1.99 | one-time |
| 20 Spins for Wheel of Fortune | $1.99 | one-time |
| Bag of gold | $4.99 | one-time |
| Sack of gold - FIRE SALE! | $4.99 | one-time |
| Sack of gold - SALE! | $7.99 | one-time |
| Sack of gold | $9.99 | one-time |
| Chest of gold - SALE! | $9.99 | one-time |
| Chest of gold | $19.99 | one-time |
| Pile of gold - FIRE SALE! | $24.99 | one-time |
| Pile of gold | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fair dice rolls
- 🎨 Excellent graphics and visuals
- 💬 Good communication options with opponents
- 🕹️ Smooth gameplay and intuitive controls

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🎲 Unfair dice rolls favoring opponents
- 🤖 Rigged algorithm to force losses
- 💰 Monetization tactics to force in-app purchases
- 🛑 Inability to block or avoid certain players

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes or freezes after updates
- Incorrect move registrations or inability to make legal moves
- Coins disappearing from user accounts

**Requested features**

- Resign button to avoid waiting for game to end
- Option to play against AI without connecting to internet
- Ability to choose opponents based on skill level or location


### Original Backgammon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/original-backgammon/id1340594129)

Experience the classic board game of backgammon. Compete against AI, a local opponent, or players online. Be the first to move all your pieces off the board to win.

**Highlights:** Play against computer AI, Local multiplayer mode, Online multiplayer matches, Traditional backgammon rules, Checkers movement and removal

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Backgammon Masters free?

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

### Is Original Backgammon free?

Original Backgammon is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Backgammon Masters or Original Backgammon?

Backgammon Masters is rated higher. Backgammon Masters averages 3.8 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Original Backgammon averages 3.3 from 3 ratings.

### Do Backgammon Masters or Original Backgammon have ads?

Both Backgammon Masters and Original Backgammon show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Backgammon Masters or Original Backgammon?

Backgammon Masters ships an update fortnightly, and Original Backgammon every 5 months. Most recently, Backgammon Masters was updated on September 24, 2026 and Original Backgammon on August 6, 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.*