Comparison

Chess vs PatternForge

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Chess

Features
Read full description

Chess-Ladder is an application designed for chess enthusiasts of all levels! Learn chess strategies, improve tactical skills, and compete with players from around the world. Key features: -Learn how to play chess: from beginner to advanced levels. -Challenge friends and acquaintances to a game or engage in battles with players from different corners of the world. -Enhance your skills through specialized training sessions and refine your strategy. -Track your achievements and rankings on global leaderboards. Elevate your chess game to the next level with Chess-Ladder!

About

PatternForge

This app uses spaced repetition to help you master chess tactics. Solve puzzles adapted to your skill level, review them on a schedule, and import your own games to turn mistakes into training opportunities. Create custom puzzle sets to focus on specific patterns and improve your game.

Highlights
  • Spaced repetition training
  • Adaptive puzzle difficulty
  • Game import from Chess.com/Lichess
  • Custom puzzle sets
  • Theme-based training
  • Progress tracking
Read full description

PatternForge is a chess tactics trainer built around spaced repetition — so patterns actually stick instead of fading after one session. HOW IT WORKS 1. Train — Solve puzzles adapted to your level. Missed puzzles come back until you learn them. 2. Review — Patterns repeat on a schedule so you build automatic recognition. 3. Import — Pull your games from Chess.com or Lichess and turn your real mistakes into training. 4. Build — Create custom puzzle sets from PGNs, studies, or the full puzzle pool. FEATURES · Spaced repetition training · Adaptive puzzle difficulty (Glicko rating) · Game import from Chess.com and Lichess · Custom puzzle sets from PGNs and studies · Woodpecker method cycling · Theme-based training (forks, pins, skewers, and more) · Progress tracking and stats · Lichess puzzle database TRAINING MODES · Standard — Daily training with new and review puzzles · Woodpecker — Cycle through a set with increasing speed Stop grinding random puzzles. Start building real pattern recognition. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://patternforge.app/privacy

Screenshots

Chess4 screens
PatternForge4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Chess at none against PatternForge's 2. Chess also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.4). PatternForge's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs fortnightly). On price and ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PatternForge sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Chess asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess ships an update fortnightly, PatternForge every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Chess versus PatternForge: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChessPatternForge
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB58 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperVilgelm MenshovZYAGA LLC

In-app purchases

None

Chess

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

PatternForge

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Chess free?
Chess is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PatternForge free?
PatternForge is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Chess or PatternForge have ads?
Neither Chess nor PatternForge shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chess or PatternForge?
Chess ships an update fortnightly, and PatternForge every 2 days. Most recently, Chess was updated on September 19, 2026 and PatternForge on September 2, 2026.

Other comparisons