# Next Chess Move vs Square Off Chess

The clearest difference is price: Square Off Chess at Free against Next Chess Move's $2.99. Square Off Chess also leads on ratings volume (3K vs 133) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.0). Next Chess Move's advantage is review sentiment (76% vs 35%) and chart position (#59 vs unranked). On rating, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Square Off Chess is free to download; Next Chess Move costs $2.99 up front. Next Chess Move sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Square Off Chess sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Next Chess Move holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Square Off Chess has 3K ratings behind it against 133, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of Next Chess Move's written reviews are positive against 35% of Square Off Chess's.

Next Chess Move ships an update monthly, Square Off Chess every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Next Chess Move | Square Off Chess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.5 (133 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/next-chess-move/id595697977/reviews)** | [4.4 (3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/square-off-chess-play-and-learn/id1267805783/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 133 | **3K** |
| Positive reviews | **76.3% of reviews** | 35.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#59** | — |
| Size | 143 MB | 703 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Next Chess Move LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/458768443) | [InfiVention, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1267805782) |

## What reviewers say

### Next Chess Move

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/next-chess-move/id595697977)

**Currently charting:** #59 Top Paid · Board, #176 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

This application provides a powerful chess move calculator utilizing advanced engines like Stockfish 17.1 directly on your device. It also offers free access to numerous other engines running on remote hardware, with an optional upgrade for enhanced calculation strength and access to powerful servers and GPUs.

**Highlights:** On-device Stockfish 17.1, Free remote engine access, Large selection of chess engines, Optional Pro upgrade, Access to powerful cloud hardware, GPU acceleration for LcZero

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NCM Pro | $18.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great tool for analysis
- 👍 Helpful for learning chess
- 👍 Strongest engines available
- 👍 Improves game understanding
- 👍 Convenient mobile access

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Neglected and buggy mess
- 🐛 Critical bugs break game
- 🐛 Outdated and poorly maintained UI
- 🐛 Feels abandoned while charging
- 🐛 Waste of money

**Reported bugs**

- Critical bugs that break the game (e.g., same color pieces moving consecutively)
- App doesn't turn on
- Update has challenges
- Cannot play anything
- LC0 version 0.30 with Networks Family T81 causes 'engine disconnected' error

**Requested features**

- Fix critical bugs
- Update UI
- Release a proper update
- Maintain the app properly
- Update to current stockfish 17


### Square Off Chess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/square-off-chess-play-and-learn/id1267805783)

This app offers a comprehensive chess experience for players of all levels. Learn, analyze, and master the game with challenging AI, unlimited game analysis, and online competition. Track your progress and share your gameplay with the world.

**Highlights:** Challenge AI up to ELO 3200+, Adaptive AI that adjusts to your moves, Unlimited game import and analysis, Track performance progress with game history, Live broadcasting of gameplay, Compete online against global players, Thousands of chess puzzles

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 100 Diamonds | $0.99 | one-time |
| 200 Diamonds | $1.99 | one-time |
| 500 Diamonds | $4.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Diamonds | $8.99 | one-time |
| 5000 Diamonds | $29.99 | one-time |
| 10000 Diamonds | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great game
- 👍 Awesome board
- 🚀 Mesmerizing piece movement
- 👍 Well-made product
- 🚀 Impressive engineering

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy app
- 🐛 Freezing issues
- 🐛 Connectivity problems
- 🐛 Unreliable board recognition
- 🔋 Battery drain

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently
- Board loses connection during games
- Piece movements not registered properly
- Firmware update issues
- Incorrect game state tracking

**Requested features**

- Landscape mode for iPad
- Ability to stream games to the board
- More timer options
- Parental controls
- Game history and analysis features


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Next Chess Move free?

Next Chess Move costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Square Off Chess free?

Square Off Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Next Chess Move or Square Off Chess?

Next Chess Move is rated higher. Next Chess Move averages 4.5 out of 5 from 133 ratings, while Square Off Chess averages 4.4 from 3K ratings.

### Do Next Chess Move or Square Off Chess have ads?

Neither Next Chess Move nor Square Off Chess shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Next Chess Move or Square Off Chess?

Next Chess Move ships an update monthly, and Square Off Chess every 3 weeks. Most recently, Next Chess Move was updated on October 29, 2026 and Square Off Chess on October 29, 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.*