Comparison

Gryphon Chess vs ChessXpanse

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

Head to head
About

Gryphon Chess

Features
Read full description

Gryphon Chess is a new take on the board game classic. Novel mechanics and tactics await for you to collect and explore! Three factions vie for power: the industrious and methodical Empire, the elusive creatures of the Woodland, and the tough and stubborn Saurians. Each faction has unique pieces, play styles, and strategies to learn. [Special Features] COLLECT AND UPGRADE PIECES Collect and upgrade unique pieces as you play and progress. (Yes, even gryphons - or griffons - or griffins... any way you spell it, make sure you know where they're at!) As you upgrade pieces, they'll gain additional movement patterns and abilities. CUSTOM SETS Create custom faction-specific sets. Mix and match pieces from the standard set and each faction to suit your strategy, but beware! Your opponent will have their own custom set and pieces. [Strategic Gameplay] SHARPER MATCHES With three additional win conditions, Gryphon Chess matches are typically quicker and more pointed. With custom sets, each match becomes a real-time puzzle.

About

ChessXpanse

Experience a unique chess variant with dynamic battlefields and new strategic units. Engage in intense, immediate matches where every move is critical to outmaneuver your opponent and achieve victory.

Highlights
  • Dynamic board sizes and starting positions
  • Three new strategic units: GateKeeper, Mage, Archer
  • Immediate and intense close-proximity combat
  • Adaptable strategy for varied gameplay
  • Focus on tactical piece deployment
Features
Read full description

Step into ChessXpanse, where classic chess meets dynamic warfare. Each match begins with a unique battlefield—board sizes and starting positions vary, ensuring no two games are alike. Traditional chess pieces are deployed alongside three powerful new additions: The GateKeeper, The Mage, and The Archer. With all units positioned in close proximity, the action is immediate and intense. Every move counts in this fight to eliminate your opponent’s last King. Adapt your strategy, master the new pieces and tactics, and dominate the board. Are you ready to expand your game?

Screenshots

Gryphon Chess4 screens
ChessXpanse4 screens

Verdict

The call

Gryphon Chess and ChessXpanse are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Gryphon Chess sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and ChessXpanse sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Gryphon Chess ships an update every 3 weeks, ChessXpanse every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on December 21, 2025 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Gryphon Chess versus ChessXpanse: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGryphon ChessChessXpanse
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.413.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size69 MB159 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperAnimeeples LLCGamejillion, Inc.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Gryphon Chess

One-time4
  • Handful of Gems$0.99
  • Pile of Gems$4.99
  • Crate of Gems$9.99
Show 1 more
  • Barrel of Gems$19.99
9 purchases

ChessXpanse

Subscriptions4
  • Nova Membership$2.991 Month
  • Interstellar Membership$3.991 Month
  • Quasar Membership$4.991 Month
Show 1 more
  • Quasar Membership$5.991 Month
One-time5
  • 1000 Star Coins$0.99
  • 3000 Star Coins$1.99
  • 10000 Star Coins$5.99
Show 2 more
  • 15000 Star Coins$6.99
  • 20000 Star Coins2 variants$7.99

Questions

Is Gryphon Chess free?
Gryphon Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ChessXpanse free?
ChessXpanse is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Gryphon Chess or ChessXpanse have ads?
Neither Gryphon Chess nor ChessXpanse shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Gryphon Chess or ChessXpanse?
Gryphon Chess ships an update every 3 weeks, and ChessXpanse every 6 weeks. Most recently, Gryphon Chess was updated on December 21, 2025 and ChessXpanse on September 14, 2026.

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