# Chess Tactics and Lessons vs Chess Timer

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Chess Timer at none against Chess Tactics and Lessons's 7. Chess Timer also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 5 weeks) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Chess Tactics and Lessons's advantage is ratings volume (5K vs 8). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Chess Tactics and Lessons sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Chess Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

Chess Timer holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess Tactics and Lessons has 5K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Chess Tactics and Lessons's written reviews are positive against 100% of Chess Timer's.

Chess Tactics and Lessons ships an update every 5 weeks, Chess Timer every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chess Tactics and Lessons | Chess Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-tactics-and-lessons/id531275673/reviews) | **[5.0 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-timer-simple/id1570184612/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **5K** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | 85.2% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 114 MB | 0 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **14.3** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lockwood Productions, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/466891332) | [Manuel Lopez](https://appshunter.io/developer/1570184614) |

## What reviewers say

### Chess Tactics and Lessons

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-tactics-and-lessons/id531275673)

Master chess strategy and openings with this app. Practice unlimited tactics, follow detailed lessons, and save your favorite openings. Create your own content and learn from a supportive community.

**Highlights:** Unlimited tactics practice, Detailed chess lessons, Opening practice and saving, Create custom tactics and lessons, Learn from mistakes with explanations, Community comments and discussion, Customizable board design

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly PRO Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Annual Pro Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Marble Chess Board | $0.99 | one-time |
| Orange Chess Board | $0.99 | one-time |
| Remove ads | $0.99 | one-time |
| Green Chess Board | $0.99 | one-time |
| Enable Saved Puzzles | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 😃 Great for learning tactics
- 👍 Enjoyable and addictive
- 🚀 Excellent training tool
- 🤗 Helpful for improving chess skills
- 💯 Best tactics app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy after updates
- 💰 Subscription model too expensive
- 🤔 Some tactics are questionable
- 🙄 Too many queen sacrifices
- 😣 Difficult to navigate

**Reported bugs**

- Server connection issues
- White screen after updates
- Inability to delete account
- Incorrect move explanations

**Requested features**

- Ability to save tactics
- Offline mode
- Difficulty filtering
- Improved user interface
- More comprehensive lessons


### Chess Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-timer-simple/id1570184612)

A straightforward chess clock app designed for timing matches. It offers essential functions like pausing and resetting the timer, with customizable time intervals. The app is free and free of ads, in-app purchases, and tracking.

**Highlights:** Countdown timer, Pause clock function, Reset timer button, Customizable time intervals, Ad-free experience

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chess Tactics and Lessons free?

Chess Tactics and Lessons is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Chess Timer free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Chess Tactics and Lessons or Chess Timer?

Chess Timer is rated higher. Chess Tactics and Lessons averages 4.8 out of 5 from 5K ratings, while Chess Timer averages 5.0 from 8 ratings.

### Do Chess Tactics and Lessons or Chess Timer have ads?

Neither Chess Tactics and Lessons nor Chess Timer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Chess Tactics and Lessons or Chess Timer?

Chess Tactics and Lessons ships an update every 5 weeks, and Chess Timer every 2 days. Most recently, Chess Tactics and Lessons was updated on October 21, 2026 and Chess Timer on October 18, 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.*