Comparison

Solitaire vs Tessel

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

Head to head
About

Solitaire

Features
Read full description

Solitaire Chess is a single-player siege puzzle played on a hexagonal honeycomb board. Pick your side and outwit a sharp AI — every move is a plan. [How it plays] ‧ Two sides, two strategies: as the Attacker, break out from the center and thread along the honeycomb paths to land on any red goal node on the rim; as the Defender, wall the attacker in before it can escape. ‧ A real AI opponent, powered by Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS), with Relaxed and Standard strengths — it never plays soft. ‧ Adjustable board size: radius 10–20 — the larger the board, the deeper the play. ‧ A rule with depth: the Defender can leap diagonally across a complete hexagon. ‧ Multiple board themes you can switch instantly, mid-game. ‧ Touch-mode toggle: "Place" and "Move board" are separate, so panning and zooming never drops a stone by accident. ‧ Stats: win rate and match history at a glance. [Who it's for] ‧ Fans of abstract strategy — chess, Go, and tactics games ‧ Anyone who wants to sharpen logic and spatial thinking in a single match ‧ A quick brain workout for your commute or lunch break [Privacy & offline] ‧ Fully offline — no account, no network required ‧ No ads, no tracking, no personal data collected ‧ All records stay on your device only ‧ Independently built by Intoxicated Child Studio [Free to play, Pro to unlock] The game is free to play. A one-time Pro unlock (non-consumable, yours forever) opens up larger boards, the Standard AI, full stats history, and every theme. Customers who bought the earlier paid version are granted Pro automatically — no repurchase needed. Set your siege on the honeycomb

About

Tessel

A relaxing yet strategic hex-based board game where players place uniquely shaped pieces. Compete against AI, friends locally, or players online. Utilize power tokens and unlock cosmetic customizations for a unique experience.

Highlights
  • Hex-based strategy gameplay
  • AI opponents with multiple difficulties
  • Online turn-based multiplayer
  • Local Pass and Play mode
  • Optional power tokens
  • Unlockable cosmetic themes
  • Save and resume games
Features
Read full description

TESSEL Discover TESSEL, a relaxing yet deeply strategic board game where every placement matters. Compete against challenging AI opponents, play locally with friends, or challenge players online in this elegant hex-based strategy experience. With customizable cosmetics, unique power tokens, and countless tactical possibilities, no two games are ever quite the same. STRATEGIC HEX-BASED GAMEPLAY In TESSEL, players take turns placing uniquely shaped pieces onto a hexagonal board. Every new piece must carefully balance expansion, positioning, and connection. Master the edge-placement rules, plan ahead, and outmaneuver your opponent to claim victory. The player with the fewest unused tiles at the end of the game wins. MULTIPLE WAYS TO PLAY * Play against AI opponents with multiple difficulty levels * Challenge friends in local Pass and Play mode * Compete online in turn-based multiplayer matches * Save games and resume them later from the Active Games hub UNIQUE POWER TOKENS Collect and activate powerful optional tokens to change the course of the game. * Free: Ignore normal placement restrictions for your next move * Bonus Turn: Take two turns in a row * Shape Shift: Add an extra tile to transform one of your pieces * Snare: Restrict your opponent’s next placement options Enable, disable, or randomize token locations in Settings to create the experience you want. CUSTOMIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE Unlock and personalize your collection with beautiful cosmetic themes and sound packs inspired by natural materials and elegant craftsmanship. Choose from a growing collection of styles including: * Classic TESSEL * River Stone * Sage Ceramic * Sea Glass * Kintsugi * Aurora Glass * And more Customize appearances and sounds for yourself and your Solo mode opponents. LEARN AT YOUR OWN PACE New to TESSEL? An interactive tutorial and illustrated How to Play guide make it easy to learn the fundamentals while introducing advanced mechanics step by step. FEATURES * Relaxing yet deeply strategic gameplay * Multiple AI difficulty levels * Online multiplayer * Local Pass and Play multiplayer * Interactive tutorial and illustrated guide * Optional power token system * Save and resume active games * Unlockable cosmetic collections * Detailed player statistics * Beautiful visuals and soothing sounds Whether you are looking for a peaceful solo challenge or a competitive battle of strategy, TESSEL offers an elegant experience that rewards thoughtful play and long-term mastery.

Screenshots

Solitaire3 screens
Tessel4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Solitaire at none against Tessel's 4. Solitaire also leads on ads (none vs shown). Tessel's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 9 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. Tessel sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Solitaire asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Solitaire ships an update every 9 months, Tessel every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Solitaire versus Tessel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSolitaireTessel
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.5
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB44 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperKuo-Tsun HuangMELANIE SHEILA CADET

In-app purchases

None

Solitaire

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Tessel

One-time4
  • Kintsugi Skin$1.99
  • Aurora Glass Cosmetic Skin$1.99
  • Rose Quartz Cosmetic Skin$1.99
Show 1 more
  • Remove Ads$2.99

Questions

Is Solitaire free?
Solitaire is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tessel free?
Tessel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Solitaire or Tessel have ads?
Tessel shows ads; Solitaire does not.
Which is updated more often, Solitaire or Tessel?
Solitaire ships an update every 9 months, and Tessel every 2 days. Most recently, Solitaire was updated on October 25, 2026 and Tessel on October 13, 2026.

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