Comparison

OpenChess vs Neo Chess Arena

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

Head to head
About

OpenChess

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
Read full description

Learn chess openings with OpenChess: An Opening Explorer. Play against the computer, or play as both sides, and be shown the lines that are within any opening that you are interested in learning. Want to learn the Sicilian Defense or the Queen’s Gambit? Choose that category and play against that a computer that only follows lines within that opening category. Wany to focus on learning all of the openings that start with a specific move, such as pawn to “e4”? This category can also be selected, and you can play against a computer that only plays lines that start with “e4”. The chess engine in this app is not Stockfish, and it does not look very far ahead. It is meant to provide a decent base evaluation and allow the majority of the reason behind the evaluation of the current position to be shown to the user. The following information can be shown to the user: • Positional advantages for each piece type (pawn, knight, bishop, rook, queen and king) • Piece value advantages for each color • Mobility scores for each piece where mobility plays a big role (bishop, rook, queen, king) • Pawn advantages and disadvantages (passed pawns, isolated pawns, backwards pawns, doubled pawns) • Total value of pieces attacked by each color as well as total value of pieces defended by each color A lot of chess games are won and lost within the opening moves, this app was designed to help players learn solid openings that either help them gain a winning advantage out of the opening, or at the very least help them not lose due to the opening moves played. Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Neo Chess Arena

Engage in focused, competitive chess matches with a clean, modern interface. Perfect for learning, practicing tactics, or enjoying quick strategic games anytime. Outsmart opponents and sharpen your mind in a polished arena experience.

Highlights
  • Clean, modern chess design
  • Fast and focused gameplay
  • Strategic matches
  • Easy controls
  • Casual and serious player support
  • Polished arena experience
Features
Read full description

Step into Neo Chess Arena, a modern chess experience built for players who love strategy, competition, and clean gameplay. Play focused chess matches, think ahead, protect your king, and outsmart your opponent with every move. Whether you are learning the game, practicing tactics, or looking for a quick competitive match, Neo Chess Arena gives you a smooth and simple way to enjoy chess anytime. Features: • Clean, modern chess design • Fast and focused gameplay • Strategic matches that reward smart decisions • Easy controls for quick play • Built for casual players and serious chess fans • A polished arena-style experience Neo Chess Arena is designed to make every match feel sharp, competitive, and exciting. Challenge your mind, improve your strategy, and enjoy chess in a fresh new way. Download Neo Chess Arena and enter the board. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

OpenChess4 screens
Neo Chess Arena3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: OpenChess at none against Neo Chess Arena's shown. OpenChess also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.1). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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. OpenChess sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Neo Chess Arena sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for OpenChess against 5.0 for Neo Chess Arena. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
OpenChess versus Neo Chess Arena: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpenChessNeo Chess Arena
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyFortnightly—
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size57 MB60 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDavid BryantMohamed Fadelelmoula

In-app purchases

10 purchases

OpenChess

One-time10
  • Tarrasch Defense Opening$0.99
  • Trompowsky Attack Opening$0.99
  • Scandinavian Defense Opening$0.99
Show 7 more
  • Three Knights Opening$0.99
  • Zukertort Opening$0.99
  • Van't Kruijs Opening$0.99
  • Vienna Game Opening$0.99
  • Ware Opening$0.99
  • Opening Explorer$4.99
  • OpenChess Premium$19.99
1 purchases

Neo Chess Arena

Subscriptions1
  • NeoChess Premium$5.991 Month

Questions

Is OpenChess free?
OpenChess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Neo Chess Arena free?
Neo Chess Arena is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, OpenChess or Neo Chess Arena?
OpenChess and Neo Chess Arena are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do OpenChess or Neo Chess Arena have ads?
Neo Chess Arena shows ads; OpenChess does not.

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