# Minimal Chess vs Train Chess

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Train Chess at none against Minimal Chess's 1. Train Chess also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). Minimal Chess's advantage is ratings volume (11 vs 1). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Minimal Chess sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Train Chess asks for nothing beyond the download.

Train Chess holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Minimal Chess has 11 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Minimal Chess ships an update every 2 months, Train Chess every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Minimal Chess | Train Chess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/minimal-chess-elegant-and-clean/id6749387580/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/train-chess/id6760048227/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **11** | 1 |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 71 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mustafa Zurfi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1830299863) | [Camren Todd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1799106960) |

## What reviewers say

### Minimal Chess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/minimal-chess-elegant-and-clean/id6749387580)

Experience pure chess strategy with a minimalist design. Challenge friends, test your skills against AI across 10 difficulty levels, and solve engaging puzzles. Customize your board and UI for a distraction-free, elegant gameplay.

**Highlights:** Two Player Mode, 10 Difficulty Levels, Engaging Puzzles, Customization Options, Elegant Design, Undo Function

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Themes | $2.99 | one-time |


### Train Chess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/train-chess/id6760048227)

Master hundreds of essential positional endgames to elevate your chess skills. Practice against an engine to improve your late-game win rate and conversion. This app focuses on crucial endgame scenarios for strategic improvement.

**Highlights:** Hundreds of positional endgames, Engine practice, Improve win rate, Master endgame conversion, Strategic improvement

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Minimal Chess free?

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

### Is Train Chess free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Minimal Chess or Train Chess?

Train Chess is rated higher. Minimal Chess averages 4.8 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Train Chess averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Minimal Chess or Train Chess have ads?

Neither Minimal Chess nor Train Chess shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Minimal Chess or Train Chess?

Minimal Chess ships an update every 2 months, and Train Chess every 4 days. Most recently, Minimal Chess was updated on October 28, 2026 and Train Chess on October 2, 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.*