Upwords vs ChessMentor
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Upwords
This word stacking game challenges you to transform existing words by stacking letters on top. Score higher by stacking higher and outsmarting opponents. Play with friends, strangers, or against the computer.
- Stack letters to change words
- Score points based on stacking height
- Play with friends globally
- Challenge computer opponents
- Pass & Play mode
- In-game chat
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UPWORDS – The Stacking Word Game! UPWORDS is the classic 3D crossword game where you don’t just play words… you change them! Stack letters on top of existing words to transform them into new words. Score more points the higher you stack, and outsmart your opponents. Why you’ll love it: - Fun, fast, and endlessly repayable - Play with friends around the world or challenge random opponents - Join a Tournament! - Test yourself against the Computer (4 skill levels) - Pass & Play with family on one device - In-game chat keeps the competition lively UPWORDS is more than just fun — it keeps your brain sharp as you find clever ways to build and stack words. The higher you go, the higher you score! Download today and start stacking your way to victory. -- Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.upwords-app.com/privacy.html
ChessMentor
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Learn chess by playing, solving, and practicing — all in one private, offline app. ChessMentor turns first moves into real confidence with hands-on lessons, tactical puzzles, and games against the computer. Whether you are learning the rules or sharpening your strategy, every feature helps you see the board more clearly. LEARN BY DOING • Follow interactive lessons on every piece, essential rules, tactics, opening principles, and endgames. • Make the moves yourself with clear guidance and immediate feedback. • Explore opening playbooks move by move, then practice the line from memory. TRAIN YOUR TACTICAL VISION • Solve curated chess puzzles, including classic checkmate patterns. • Take on Puzzle Rush and build a daily puzzle streak. • Revisit missed puzzles and critical moments from your own games. PLAY AND IMPROVE • Play the computer at beginner, intermediate, or advanced difficulty. • Use game clocks, an optional evaluation bar, and post-game accuracy insights. • Practice endgame technique with live coaching, or climb a handicap ladder as your confidence grows. • Play pass-and-play with a friend, set up a position on the board, or import a PGN game to study. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS • Earn achievements, build streaks, record your results, and watch your rating develop. • Get a recommended computer level that follows your performance. ChessMentor works fully offline, so your learning stays private and available wherever you are. Start with your first move. Keep going until the board starts to make sense. SUBSCRIPTION ChessMentor Premium is an auto-renewable subscription, available monthly or annually with a 3-day free trial. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the period ends. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple Account settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://sudoswisshub.github.io/ChessMentorLegal/privacy.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ChessMentor at none against Upwords's 12. ChessMentor also leads on ads (none vs shown). Upwords's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 months) and chart position (#148 vs unranked). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. Upwords sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. ChessMentor asks for nothing beyond the download.
Upwords ships an update every 2 days, ChessMentor every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Upwords | ChessMentor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (9.3K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 67.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 9.3K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | #148 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 50 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | +4 | 4+ |
| Developer | Lonely Star Software, Inc. | Alice-Georgiana TURCANU |
Bugs and requests
Upwords
Reported bugs
4 issues- Ads that cannot be closed
- Frequent crashes and freezes
- Login and verification issues
- Incorrect scoring and word validation
Requested features
5 requests- Option to use British dictionary
- Choice of dictionaries
- Ability to swap more than one letter
- Show opponent's remaining tiles
- Fairer letter distribution
ChessMentor
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Upwords
- Premium Bundle Monthly7 Days trial$1.491 Month
- Premium Bundle Yearly7 Days trial$11.991 Year
- Full Upgrade - Free!Free
- Word Glow$1.99
- 20 Tokens$1.99
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- Medium Token Pack$4.99
- 60 Tokens$4.99
- 125 Tokens$9.99
- Large Token Pack$9.99
- 260 Tokens$19.99
- Premium Bundle Lifetime$34.99
- 610 Tokens$44.99
ChessMentor
No in-app purchases









