# Bughouse Chess Online vs Chess Codex

The clearest difference is ads: Bughouse Chess Online at none against Chess Codex's shown. Bughouse Chess Online also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.1). Chess Codex's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Bughouse Chess Online ships an update every 2 months, Chess Codex every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on July 6, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bughouse Chess Online | Chess Codex |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bughouse-chess-online/id6482105703/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **4** | — |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 23 MB | 36 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alexander Guo](https://appshunter.io/developer/1653005801) | [Vince Lubbers](https://appshunter.io/developer/1889839785) |

## What reviewers say

### Bughouse Chess Online

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bughouse-chess-online/id6482105703)

Play bughouse chess online with this mobile application. Move pieces on a digital board to compete against others. A web version is also available.

**Highlights:** Online multiplayer bughouse chess, Digital chess board interface, Play via iOS app, Web version available

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Chess Codex

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-codex/id6778615817)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bughouse Chess Online free?

Bughouse Chess Online is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Chess Codex free?

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

### Do Bughouse Chess Online or Chess Codex have ads?

Chess Codex shows ads; Bughouse Chess Online does not.

### Which is updated more often, Bughouse Chess Online or Chess Codex?

Bughouse Chess Online ships an update every 2 months, and Chess Codex every 3 days. Most recently, Bughouse Chess Online was updated on July 6, 2026 and Chess Codex on September 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.*