# Chess Tactics and Lessons vs Noctie Chess Trainer

The clearest difference is monetization model: Chess Tactics and Lessons at free with in-app purchases against Noctie Chess Trainer's subscription. Chess Tactics and Lessons also leads on ratings volume (5.1K vs 636) and review sentiment (85% vs 74%). Noctie Chess Trainer's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.0). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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 and Noctie Chess Trainer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $13.90 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Chess Tactics and Lessons against 4.7 for Noctie Chess Trainer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess Tactics and Lessons has 5.1K ratings behind it against 636, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 85% of Chess Tactics and Lessons's written reviews are positive against 74% of Noctie Chess Trainer's.

Chess Tactics and Lessons ships an update every 5 weeks, Noctie Chess Trainer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chess Tactics and Lessons | Noctie Chess Trainer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (5.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-tactics-and-lessons/id531275673/reviews)** | [4.7 (636 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/noctie-chess-trainer/id6444289077/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **5.1K** | 636 |
| Positive reviews | **85.2% of reviews** | 74.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 114 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lockwood Productions, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/466891332) | [Noctie AB](https://appshunter.io/developer/1653607549) |

## 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


### Noctie Chess Trainer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/noctie-chess-trainer/id6444289077)

This app offers a unique chess training experience by simulating human opponents who adapt to your skill level. It provides instant feedback, custom puzzles from your games, and tools to master openings and endgames. Designed for serious improvement, it focuses on deliberate practice without distractions.

**Highlights:** Human-like AI opponents, Adaptive difficulty levels, Opening repertoire training, Instant move feedback, Puzzles from your games, Position builder, Endgame lessons

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Club Noctie | $13.90 | per month |
| Club Noctie Yearly | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for learning chess
- 💡 Realistic time management simulation
- 🚀 Improves chess skills quickly
- 💡 Human-like play style
- 💡 Flashcard system for mistakes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Blunders mislabeled
- 👎 Subscription required for themes
- 👎 Limited free content
- 👎 Puzzles are basic
- 👎 AI doesn't coach

**Reported bugs**

- Lost opening library and progress after update
- User flow to rebuild opening library is terrible
- Material difference calculation breaks with promoted queens
- Layout cuts off chessboard in portrait mode on iPad
- AI doesn't adjust strength based on user rating

**Requested features**

- Lifetime tier option
- Realistic time management for bots
- Dark mode
- Choice of colors and chessboards
- Import games from Lichess/Chess.com for flashcards


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chess Tactics and Lessons free?

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

### Is Noctie Chess Trainer free?

Noctie Chess Trainer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

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

Chess Tactics and Lessons is rated higher. Chess Tactics and Lessons averages 4.8 out of 5 from 5.1K ratings, while Noctie Chess Trainer averages 4.7 from 636 ratings.

### Do Chess Tactics and Lessons or Noctie Chess Trainer have ads?

Neither Chess Tactics and Lessons nor Noctie Chess Trainer shows ads.

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

Chess Tactics and Lessons ships an update every 5 weeks, and Noctie Chess Trainer every 3 weeks. Most recently, Chess Tactics and Lessons was updated on November 1, 2026 and Noctie Chess Trainer on October 30, 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.*