# Chess Lab vs PixelChess

The clearest difference is update cadence: Chess Lab at every 4 days against PixelChess's every 2 weeks. PixelChess's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Chess Lab sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and PixelChess sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Chess Lab ships an update every 4 days, PixelChess every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chess Lab | PixelChess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 64 MB | 94 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [koji ozono](https://appshunter.io/developer/1826482515) | [Just Luck LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1861486845) |

## What reviewers say

### Chess Lab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-lab-arasan-ai-engine/id6757245101)

Analyze chess games with a powerful AI engine, practice against 30 difficulty levels, or watch live top-tier matches. Save and replay games, import PGNs, and customize your board view for a premium experience.

**Highlights:** AI-powered game analysis, 30 difficulty levels for CPU play, Local 2-player mode, Lichess spectating with channel selection, Save and replay games, PGN import, Customizable 2D/2.5D board views

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Chess Lab Pro | $2.99 | one-time |


### PixelChess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixelchess-pixel-art-chess/id6773788549)

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tema Medieval | $0.99 | one-time |
| Tema Espacial | $0.99 | one-time |
| Tema Prehistórico | $0.99 | one-time |
| Tema Terror | $0.99 | one-time |
| Tema Deportes | $0.99 | one-time |
| Tema Western | $0.99 | one-time |
| Tema Elegante | $0.99 | one-time |
| Tema Anime | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pack 2 Temas | $1.49 | one-time |
| Pack 3 Temas | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chess Lab free?

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

### Is PixelChess free?

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

### Do Chess Lab or PixelChess have ads?

Both Chess Lab and PixelChess show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Chess Lab or PixelChess?

Chess Lab ships an update every 4 days, and PixelChess every 2 weeks. Most recently, Chess Lab was updated on November 8, 2026 and PixelChess on November 7, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*