Comparison

Zen Chess Puzzle vs Chess Software

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

Head to head
About

Zen Chess Puzzle

Engage with millions of unlimited chess puzzles from online databases, powered by the Stockfish engine for real-time analysis. Difficulty dynamically adjusts to your skill level, with hints and solutions available. Improve your game with detailed move explanations.

Highlights
  • Millions of unlimited chess puzzles
  • Real-time analysis with Stockfish engine
  • Dynamic difficulty adjustment
  • Hints and solution assistance
  • Beginner to Grandmaster ratings
  • Learn from move explanations
Features
Read full description

Zen Chess Puzzle is a minimalistic chess puzzle solving app. Get 10 millions of unlimited puzzle from various online database!!! Including famous public Lichess puzzle database! With full real time analysis supported by latest Stockfish chess engine. We have all range of puzzle ratings from Beginners to Grand Masters!!!! You can always find ones that suitable for you! Both challenging and rewarding, while not too difficult to be frustrating!!! You always learn more and more when you play. The difficulty rating will dynamic adjust based on you play! So you don't need to worry about setting different ratings once in a while! If you could not solve it, we provide various hints and solution help! You can also choose easier ones or harder ones based on each game! The Real time Analysis page helps you to improve the chess skills and understand why some moves are better than the others! Supported by the latest super power Stockfish Chess Engine!!! We are actively improving the app and will make it better and better!!!! Feel free to leave us reviews and comment if you have any questions or suggestions!

About

Chess Software

Features
Read full description

THE STRONGEST CHESS ENGINE ON MOBILE DragonFish Chess is built on Stockfish, the world's leading open-source chess engine, fully optimized for Apple Silicon. Now you can carry desktop-class chess engine power right in your pocket. Ever tried a chess app and felt the calculation wasn't deep enough? The problem usually isn't the engine — it's hardware that hasn't been properly optimized. Top players have long relied on expensive cloud-hosted engines to get that extra edge. With DragonFish, that power is now in your hands — no internet connection required, no server fees. Stockfish already does amazing things; we made it even better on your device. DEEP ANALYSIS & TRAINING DragonFish isn't just a chess app — it's a real coach in your pocket: - Precise evaluation: See a detailed score for every move, so you instantly know who's better in any position. - Custom position editor: Freely set up any position and re-analyze any variation you want — perfect for opening prep or reviewing your games. - Multi-move arrow overlay: See the engine's best lines drawn directly on the board, built for beginners and strong players alike. Let DragonFish turn your phone into the ultimate chess weapon. Elevate your game and master every position with DragonFish today!

Screenshots

Zen Chess Puzzle4 screens
Chess Software4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Zen Chess Puzzle at none against Chess Software's 3. Zen Chess Puzzle also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 weeks). 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. Chess Software sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Zen Chess Puzzle asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Zen Chess Puzzle ships an update every 6 days, Chess Software every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Zen Chess Puzzle versus Chess Software: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZen Chess PuzzleChess Software
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size87 MB118 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFusionX Tech LLCTam Nguyen

In-app purchases

None

Zen Chess Puzzle

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Chess Software

One-time3
  • 30 Hearts Pack$1.99
  • Engine Unlock + 50 Hearts$19.99
  • Unlimited Hearts Unlock$29.99

Questions

Is Zen Chess Puzzle free?
Zen Chess Puzzle is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chess Software free?
Chess Software is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Zen Chess Puzzle or Chess Software have ads?
Chess Software shows ads; Zen Chess Puzzle does not.
Which is updated more often, Zen Chess Puzzle or Chess Software?
Zen Chess Puzzle ships an update every 6 days, and Chess Software every 3 weeks. Most recently, Zen Chess Puzzle was updated on November 9, 2026 and Chess Software on October 31, 2026.

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