# Tactics vs Chessify

The clearest difference is rating: Chessify at 4.4 against Tactics's 3.0. Chessify also leads on review sentiment (46% vs 14%) and ratings volume (398 vs 3). Tactics's advantage is iOS requirement (5.2 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Tactics sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Chessify sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Chessify holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chessify has 398 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of Tactics's written reviews are positive against 46% of Chessify's.

Tactics ships an update every 3 weeks, Chessify monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tactics | Chessify |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tactics/id576295991/reviews) | **[4.4 (398 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessify-magic-chess-tools/id1397066775/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **398** |
| Positive reviews | 14.3% of reviews | **46.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 9 MB | 140 MB |
| Requires iOS | **5.2** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ChessBase GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/417720797) | [Chessify Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1397066774) |

## What reviewers say

### Tactics

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tactics/id576295991)

Sharpen your chess skills by solving tactical puzzles. The app offers hints and tracks your progress, with positions repeating for practice. Compete for a high score and play as a guest or with your PlayChess account.

**Highlights:** Solve chess tactic positions, Get hints for solutions, Guest or PlayChess account login, Repeat unsolved positions, High score list, Universal app support

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 100 tactics positions | $0.99 | one-time |


### Chessify

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessify-magic-chess-tools/id1397066775)

This app offers advanced chess analysis tools, including a real-time chessboard scanner, powerful cloud-based engines, and a unique video finder. Analyze games, puzzles, and learn chess theory with comprehensive features for players of all levels.

**Highlights:** Real chessboard scanner, Superfast cloud chess engine analysis, Video finder for chess positions, Offline play against Stockfish, Opening Explorer with Lichess database, Import/export FEN/PGN, Online real-time Blitz

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (19)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bronze 1 Month | $0.99 | per month |
| Silver 1 month | $2.49 | per month |
| Gold 1 Month | $7.99 | per month |
| Bronze 12 months | $7.99 | per year |
| Amateur | $12.99 | per month |
| Silver 12 months | $14.99 | per year |
| Gold 12 months | $49.99 | per year |
| Master | $59.99 | per month |
| Amateur Yearly | $129.99 | per year |
| Master | $559.99 | per year |
| SuperFast analysis - 1000 sec. | $0.99 | one-time |
| SuperFast analysis - 10000sec. | $3.99 | one-time |
| SuperFast analysis - 30000sec. | $5.99 | one-time |
| Starter Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| Standard Pack | $11.49 | one-time |
| SuperFast analysis - 100000sec | $13.99 | one-time |
| Popular Pack | $29.49 | one-time |
| SuperFast analysis - unlimited | $34.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate Pack | $117.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 📸 Accurate chess board scanning from photos
- 🚀 Fast and efficient position analysis
- ☁️ Cloud-based powerful chess engine (Stockfish)
- 💾 Easy PGN export and saving functionality
- 📚 Perfect for studying chess books

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes
- 📸 Inconsistent scanning accuracy
- ❌ App doesn't work on iOS 18 and older versions
- 💰 Expensive paywall with limited free features
- 🔥 Device overheating issues reported

**Reported bugs**

- Black screen in camera view during scanning
- Scanning omits first or last rank of board
- App crashes when loading images
- Buttons not clickable on certain iOS versions
- Position not recognized from screenshots

**Requested features**

- Add move comments and annotations capability
- Board flip option during gameplay
- Auto-save functionality to prevent position loss
- Ability to edit and extend saved games
- Tactics puzzle mode with move verification


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Tactics free?

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

### Is Chessify free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Tactics or Chessify?

Chessify is rated higher. Tactics averages 3.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Chessify averages 4.4 from 398 ratings.

### Do Tactics or Chessify have ads?

Neither Tactics nor Chessify shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Tactics or Chessify?

Tactics ships an update every 3 weeks, and Chessify monthly. Most recently, Tactics was updated on October 10, 2026 and Chessify on October 11, 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.*