# OpenChess vs Checkmate! Play and Learn

The clearest difference is ads: OpenChess at none against Checkmate! Play and Learn's shown. OpenChess also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. OpenChess sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Checkmate! Play and Learn sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

OpenChess ships an update fortnightly, Checkmate! Play and Learn every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | OpenChess | Checkmate! Play and Learn |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openchess-an-opening-explorer/id6504700904/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 57 MB | 189 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [David Bryant](https://appshunter.io/developer/1559648957) | [Fardeen Butt Muhammad Kashif Butt](https://appshunter.io/developer/1854379332) |

## What reviewers say

### OpenChess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openchess-an-opening-explorer/id6504700904)

Master chess openings by playing against a specialized AI. Explore specific defenses or move sequences, and gain insights into positional advantages and piece values. Improve your game from the very first moves.

**Highlights:** Learn specific chess openings, Play against AI focused on opening lines, Analyze positional advantages, Evaluate piece values and mobility, Understand pawn structure, Track defended and attacked pieces

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tarrasch Defense Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Trompowsky Attack Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Scandinavian Defense Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Three Knights Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Zukertort Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Van't Kruijs Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Vienna Game Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Ware Opening | $0.99 | one-time |
| Opening Explorer | $4.99 | one-time |
| OpenChess Premium | $19.99 | one-time |


### Checkmate! Play and Learn

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/checkmate-play-and-learn/id6756657769)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Coin Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Coin Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Large Coin Pack | $2.49 | one-time |
| Mega Coin Pack | $3.49 | one-time |
| Starter Bundle | $4.99 | one-time |
| Power Bundle | $6.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate Unlock Bundle | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is OpenChess free?

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

### Is Checkmate! Play and Learn free?

Checkmate! Play and Learn is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do OpenChess or Checkmate! Play and Learn have ads?

Checkmate! Play and Learn shows ads; OpenChess does not.

### Which is updated more often, OpenChess or Checkmate! Play and Learn?

OpenChess ships an update fortnightly, and Checkmate! Play and Learn every 9 days. Most recently, OpenChess was updated on October 15, 2026 and Checkmate! Play and Learn on October 25, 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.*