# Chess vs Classic chess

The clearest difference is rating: Classic chess at 4.4 against Chess's 3.2. Classic chess also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 21 months) and review sentiment (65% vs 49%). Chess's advantage is iOS requirement (5.1.1 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Classic chess holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 75 and 74 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 49% of Chess's written reviews are positive against 65% of Classic chess's.

Chess ships an update every 21 months, Classic chess every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chess | Classic chess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.2 (75 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-free/id541067628/reviews) | **[4.4 (74 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/classic-chess/id1223231585/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **75** | 74 |
| Positive reviews | 48.6% of reviews | **64.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 21 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 8 MB | 146 MB |
| Requires iOS | **5.1.1** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [况 郭](https://appshunter.io/developer/499174210) | [Cross Field Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/465034947) |

## What reviewers say

### Chess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-free/id541067628)

Engage in classic chess with a feature-rich application. Play against AI across ten difficulty levels, challenge friends locally or online, and hone your skills with thousands of puzzles. Customize your experience with various board and piece styles.

**Highlights:** Play against AI or friends, 10 difficulty levels, Online and LAN multiplayer, 38,000+ chess puzzles, Customizable boards and pieces, Load/save games (PGN), Thousands of classic games

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Classic chess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/classic-chess/id1223231585)

Learn chess rules intuitively with easy-to-understand explanations. Play against an AI with adjustable difficulty levels, from beginner to advanced. Choose between immersive 3D graphics or clear 2D views to suit your playstyle and mood.

**Highlights:** Intuitive rule explanations, Adjustable AI difficulty, 3D and 2D board options, Beginner-friendly, Progress tracking

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chess free?

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

### Is Classic chess free?

Classic chess is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Chess or Classic chess?

Classic chess is rated higher. Chess averages 3.2 out of 5 from 75 ratings, while Classic chess averages 4.4 from 74 ratings.

### Do Chess or Classic chess have ads?

Both Chess and Classic chess show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Chess or Classic chess?

Chess ships an update every 21 months, and Classic chess every 2 months. Most recently, Chess was updated on November 6, 2026 and Classic chess on November 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.*