Comparison

Word Chums! vs PacketChess

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

Head to head
About

Word Chums!

Engage in a classic word-building puzzle game with a unique twist. Compete with friends or AI, customize characters, and expand your vocabulary with an integrated dictionary. Offers a deep and rewarding experience for word game enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • 2-4 player games
  • Play versus friends, random opponents, and computer Chumbots
  • Customizable Chum characters
  • Integrated dictionary with word definitions
  • Weekly leaderboard competitions
  • Hints and best-word challenges
Features
Read full description

More fun than Words With Friends and more addicting than Scrabble, WORD CHUMS: the highest rated word game, earning a perfect 5 Star rating from users. Find out why people are saying “Once you play it, you can’t go back to your old word game.” “When I went from Words With Friends and other word games to Word Chums, there was no going back.” - VentureBeat “This game takes it to another level with fun graphics and sounds, a built in dictionary, team mode, 3-4 player mode…” ◆◆◆◆◆  "I really love this game. A great game for the whole family and your friends.. It keeps you thinking. It's a challenge. Try it, you'll love it."   ◆◆◆◆◆  "Way better than other word games! I am hooked!" “Word Chums adds a significant layer of additional incentives to keep playing atop the basic formula.” Adweek ◆ INTRODUCING THE CHUMS Oozing with personality, they bring the game to life. Have fun earning gear to outfit your Chum and expressing your style. They’re guaranteed to make you chuckle. ◆ INCREDIBLY STREAMLINED GAMEPLAY Word Chums is a pleasure to play. See words validate instantly as you place letters and see the scoring badge automatically indicate word strength. ◆ FAMILIAR CROSSWORD GAMEPLAY Word Chums stays true to the classic word building gameplay you know and love. ◆ EARN TOP CHUM STATUS Earn experience points with each word played and level up to become King or Queen of the Chums. Show off your “wordly” prowess by climbing your way to the top of the weekly leaderboards. ◆ TRULY SOCIAL See how all your friends are doing from the friends list on the main screen. Experience a new level of collaborative fun by grabbing a teammate for a couples challenge. ◆ SAY GOODBYE TO GETTING STUMPED Just when you need it most…Hints can point you to the location of a better word. ◆ SATISFIES THE SERIOUS GAMER Word Chums has achievements, best-word challenges, leveling, player stats, leaderboards and much more. It’s a deep gaming experience for everyone that gamers can master. ◆ LEARN A LITTLE Expand your vocabulary as you quickly experiment with new letter combinations and instantly discover new words. Tap any word to see its definition. —————————————————————— ◆ SPECIAL FEATURES • 2-4 player games • Play versus friends, random opponents, and computer Chumbots • Customizable Chum characters • Know valid words before you press play • Automatically see the strength of your word • Weekly leaderboard competitions • Find the best word and beat the hint challenges • Drop a Bomb and take your turn with a new set of letters —————————————————————— ◆ ABOUT PeopleFun Word Chums is a new kind of word game experience that comes to you from the makers of Age of Empires, one of the best-selling and most award-winning games of all time. Give it a try! Terms of service: https://www.peoplefun.com/terms

About

PacketChess

Features
Read full description

PacketChess lets you play chess over packet radio with other amateur radio operators. Moves are transmitted as compact packets via AX.25. Fully supports software TNC, Bluetooth KISS TNC, and network KISS TNC interfaces. PacketChess is intended to be used by licensed amateur radio operators. A valid amateur radio license, assigned callsign, and a compatible radio are required to send and receive messages. This app does not function as a standalone chess game. You have to find a partner to play with, there is no built AI.

Screenshots

Word Chums!4 screens
PacketChess4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: PacketChess at none against Word Chums!'s shown. PacketChess also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months). Word Chums!'s advantage is chart position (#59 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). On price, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Word Chums! sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and PacketChess sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Word Chums! ships an update every 4 months, PacketChess every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Word Chums! versus PacketChess: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWord Chums!PacketChess
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews88.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings24K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#59 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size200 MB2 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperPeopleFun, Inc.Lukasz Skierkowski

Bugs and requests

Word Chums!

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Ads that cannot be closed
  • Incorrect game statistics and leaderboards
  • Crashes and freezes after updates

Requested features

5 requests
  • Improved dictionary and word acceptance
  • More ways to earn in-game currency
  • Better matchmaking and opponent selection
  • Group chat/messaging features
  • Parental controls for younger players

PacketChess

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Word Chums!

One-time10
  • 500 Coins$0.99
  • 1,100 Coins$1.99
  • Get 2,200 Coins$1.99
Show 7 more
  • Starter Bundle$2.99
  • 3,000 Coins$4.99
  • Premium Upgrade$4.99
  • 6,500 Coins$9.99
  • 13,000 Coins$9.99
  • 17,500 Coins$24.99
  • 40,000 Coins$49.99
3 purchases

PacketChess

One-time3
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
  • Large Tip$9.99

Questions

Is Word Chums! free?
Word Chums! is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PacketChess free?
PacketChess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Word Chums! or PacketChess have ads?
Word Chums! shows ads; PacketChess does not.
Which is updated more often, Word Chums! or PacketChess?
Word Chums! ships an update every 4 months, and PacketChess every 6 weeks. Most recently, Word Chums! was updated on October 17, 2026 and PacketChess on October 1, 2026.

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