# Chessbook vs ClassNotes

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ClassNotes at none against Chessbook's 2. Chessbook's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Chessbook sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. ClassNotes asks for nothing beyond the download.

Chessbook ships an update every 3 days, ClassNotes weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chessbook | ClassNotes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessbook-master-openings/id6466343415/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2.1K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 82.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 days** | Weekly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 118 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Chessbook](https://appshunter.io/developer/1707243137) | [Tony Aboud](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896777740) |

## What reviewers say

### Chessbook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessbook-master-openings/id6466343415)

Build a personalized chess opening repertoire with spaced repetition training. Identify weaknesses, learn optimal moves based on master game data, and avoid obscure lines. Review your online games for mistakes and master middlegame plans.

**Highlights:** Custom opening repertoire creation, Spaced repetition training, Automatic gap identification, Avoid obscure moves, Handle transpositions, Review online game mistakes, Learn middlegame plans

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Chessbook Pro - Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| Chessbook Pro - Annual | $79.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Helpful for learning openings
- 👍 Easy to use and learn
- 🔒 Integrates with chess platforms
- 💡 Personalized repertoire building
- 🚀 Efficient spaced repetition

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App freezes or crashes
- 🔒 Limited free moves
- 💡 Inconsistent engine analysis
- 🔋 App causes phone to overheat

**Reported bugs**

- App not working on iPad
- Login issues on iPhone
- Inability to delete move sequences

**Requested features**

- Pause after completing move sequences
- Clearer instructions for beginners
- Customizable notification settings
- Option to input and practice specific positions


### ClassNotes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/classnotes-my-smart-notebook/id6794354830)

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chessbook free?

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

### Is ClassNotes free?

ClassNotes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Chessbook or ClassNotes have ads?

Neither Chessbook nor ClassNotes shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Chessbook or ClassNotes?

Chessbook ships an update every 3 days, and ClassNotes weekly. Most recently, Chessbook was updated on October 19, 2026 and ClassNotes 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.*