# ChessPrep vs zChess

The clearest difference is update cadence: ChessPrep at every 3 days against zChess's every 9 days. ChessPrep also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ChessPrep sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and zChess sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ChessPrep ships an update every 3 days, zChess every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on June 11, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ChessPrep | zChess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessprep/id6469808213/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 days** | Every 9 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 109 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Stephen Papadatos](https://appshunter.io/developer/1712680449) | [Benjamin Zobrist](https://appshunter.io/developer/1511619762) |

## What reviewers say

### ChessPrep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessprep/id6469808213)

Enhance your chess strategy with a powerful companion app. Build your repertoire from grandmaster moves, analyze opponent responses, and master tactics using a strong chess engine and spaced repetition.

**Highlights:** Build repertoire from grandmaster moves, Analyze opponent responses by elo, Stockfish 16 chess engine, Spaced repetition system, Position analysis and variation calculation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ChessButler Monthly Sub | $0.99 | per month |
| ChessButler Yearly Sub | $9.99 | per year |
| ChessButler Lifetime Premium | $19.99 | one-time |


### zChess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zchess/id6754181257)

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Access | $4.99 | per month |
| Yearly Access | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ChessPrep free?

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

### Is zChess free?

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

### Do ChessPrep or zChess have ads?

Neither ChessPrep nor zChess shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ChessPrep or zChess?

ChessPrep ships an update every 3 days, and zChess every 9 days. Most recently, ChessPrep was updated on June 11, 2026 and zChess on September 10, 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.*