# Next Chess Move vs SmallFish Chess for Stockfish

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SmallFish Chess for Stockfish at none against Next Chess Move's 1. SmallFish Chess for Stockfish also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs monthly) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). Next Chess Move's advantage is price ($2.99 vs $4.99). On review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Next Chess Move costs $2.99 and SmallFish Chess for Stockfish $4.99 up front. Next Chess Move sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SmallFish Chess for Stockfish asks for nothing beyond the download.

SmallFish Chess for Stockfish holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SmallFish Chess for Stockfish has 4.5K ratings behind it against 134, 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 79% of SmallFish Chess for Stockfish's.

Next Chess Move ships an update monthly, SmallFish Chess for Stockfish every 3 days. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Next Chess Move | SmallFish Chess for Stockfish |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$2.99** | $4.99 |
| Rating | [4.5 (134 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/next-chess-move/id595697977/reviews) | **[4.8 (4.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smallfish-chess-for-stockfish/id675049147/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 134 | **4.5K** |
| Positive reviews | 76.3% of reviews | **79.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #50 | **#11** |
| Size | 143 MB | 195 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Next Chess Move LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/458768443) | [Ted Wong](https://appshunter.io/developer/570426131) |

## What reviewers say

### Next Chess Move

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

**Currently charting:** #50 Top Paid · Board, #159 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


### SmallFish Chess for Stockfish

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smallfish-chess-for-stockfish/id675049147)

**Currently charting:** #11 Top Paid · Board, #47 Top Paid · Strategy, #124 Top Paid · Games, #199 Top Paid (US App Store)

This app leverages the powerful Stockfish chess engine to help you analyze your games, study strategic thinking, and track your progress. It offers features like blunder checking, graphical evaluations, and opening books without any ads or in-app purchases.

**Highlights:** Stockfish chess engine integration, Game analysis with comments, Study Stockfish's thinking, Progress tracking, Blunder checking, Graphical game evaluation, Opening books

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful chess engine
- 👍 Intuitive and clean interface
- 💡 Customizable board and piece styles
- 🚀 Fast move calculations
- 👍 Helpful analysis and suggestions

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and freezes
- 🐛 Issues with board and coordinate display
- 🐛 Inconsistencies in engine difficulty levels
- 🐛 Problems with PGN file handling
- 👎 Complicated user interface

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when setting up positions
- Incorrect move suggestions and engine evaluations
- Freezing and unresponsiveness during gameplay
- Issues with board and coordinate display alignment

**Requested features**

- Add support for variations and multiple analysis lines
- Implement a two-player mode with piece flipping
- Add PGN file sorting, searching, and folder support
- Provide an option to hide the board and show captured pieces
- Integrate with chess.com and other platforms


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Next Chess Move free?

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

### Is SmallFish Chess for Stockfish free?

SmallFish Chess for Stockfish costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Next Chess Move or SmallFish Chess for Stockfish?

SmallFish Chess for Stockfish is rated higher. Next Chess Move averages 4.5 out of 5 from 134 ratings, while SmallFish Chess for Stockfish averages 4.8 from 4.5K ratings.

### Do Next Chess Move or SmallFish Chess for Stockfish have ads?

Neither Next Chess Move nor SmallFish Chess for Stockfish shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Next Chess Move or SmallFish Chess for Stockfish?

Next Chess Move ships an update monthly, and SmallFish Chess for Stockfish every 3 days. Most recently, Next Chess Move was updated on November 6, 2026 and SmallFish Chess for Stockfish on November 6, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Next Chess Move or SmallFish Chess for Stockfish?

Next Chess Move currently peaks at #50 in the App Store charts, and SmallFish Chess for Stockfish at #11. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*