Comparison

Shogi Lab vs 将棋Arena

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

Head to head
About

Shogi Lab

This shogi app offers a full-featured engine for analysis and gameplay. Enjoy intuitive controls, real-time evaluation during matches, and comprehensive game record replay. Play online with rankings or offline against adjustable CPU opponents.

Highlights
  • In-game analysis with real-time evaluation
  • Thinking time visualization
  • Key move detection
  • Game record replay and analysis
  • Online ranked matches
  • Adjustable CPU strength
  • Save and resume matches
Features
Read full description

A shogi app equipped with the Sunfish4 engine. With easy-to-read piece designs and calm operation, you can play comfortably from the opening to the endgame. It features in-game evaluation checking, as well as game record playback and analysis, allowing you to complete everything from playing to analyzing within the app. Additionally, a feature to spectate Lishogi games within the app has been added. Network play (simultaneous match/URL invite) and offline CPU matches are also available. Key Features • Lishogi Spectating: Spectate Lishogi games within the app. • In-game Analysis (During Match): View evaluation graphs and scores. • Thinking Time Visualization (During Match): Displays thinking time on the game record. Long moves are highlighted in red (top 5%) / yellow (top 15%). • Review Points (During Match / Analysis): Highlights moves where the evaluation changed significantly. • Game Record Analysis (Analysis): Review past records with playback, fast-forward, and rewind. • Game Record Import (Analysis): Load KIF / CSA format records, supporting playback and analysis. • Position Jump (Analysis): Instantly jump to any position in the game record. • Pause & Resume (During Match): Pause a game and resume it later. • CPU Strength Adjustment (During Match): Adjust difficulty from practice to serious matches. • Choose First/Second Player (At Start): Play as Black or White. • Undo Move (During Match): Redo the last move. • Legal Move Display (During Match): Shows possible moves to prevent mistakes. • Haptics & Animations (Controls): Smooth operation feel. • Network Play: Supports matches via simultaneous match or URL invite. Offline CPU matches and local 2-player matches are also available. * The spectating feature in this app displays web pages from the shogi site 'Lishogi (lishogi.org)'.

About

将棋Arena

Features
Read full description

将棋Arena は、ルールに妥協しない本格派の将棋アプリです。ひとりで指すのも、世界中の相手と対戦するのも、詰将棋を解くのも、これ一つで完結します。 ■ 正確なルール 成り、持ち駒、二歩、行き所のない駒、打ち歩詰め、詰み、千日手、連続王手の千日手まで実装しています。反則手はそもそも指せないので、ルールを覚えながら安心して指せます。 ■ CPU 対戦 初級・中級・上級の三段階。初級はこれから覚える方の練習相手に、上級は本気の一局に。先手・後手のどちらも選べます。 ■ オンライン対戦 ランダムマッチですぐに対戦相手が見つかります。対局中に接続が切れても、開き直せば同じ局面から再開できます。 ■ フレンド対戦 8桁のフレンドコードを交換して、友だちと直接対局できます。 ■ 観戦 いま進行中の対局を、リアルタイムで盤ごと眺められます。 ■ 詰将棋 140問 1手詰90問、3手詰50問。やさしい問題から順に並んでいます。ヒントと解答つきで、解けた問題は記録されます。 ■ 対局の解析 指し終えた将棋をエンジンが読み直し、評価値の推移、最善手、疑問手や悪手を指摘します。どこで形勢が動いたのかが一目で分かります。 ■ 棋譜 KIF 形式に沿った表記で棋譜が残ります。局面と指し手は SFEN/USI で扱っているので、他の将棋ソフトとも地続きです。 ■ 見た目を自分好みに 基調色と盤の色を、6つのプリセットまたはカラーピッカーで自由に変えられます。 ■ プロフィール 表示名とアイコンを設定して、対 CPU の戦績を記録できます。Apple ID と連携すれば、機種を変えてもそのまま引き継げます。 将棋は日本で1000年以上受け継がれてきたゲームです。その面白さを、日本の方にも、これから将棋に触れる世界中の方にも届けたい。そう考えて作っています。

Screenshots

Shogi Lab4 screens
将棋Arena4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: 将棋Arena at none against Shogi Lab's 1. Shogi Lab's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly) and iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.5). On price, ads and device support 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. Shogi Lab sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. 将棋Arena asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shogi Lab ships an update every 3 days, 将棋Arena weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 5 level
Shogi Lab versus 将棋Arena: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShogi Lab将棋Arena
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterWeekly
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.6 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size82 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerkoji ozonoKei Suzumura

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Shogi Lab

One-time1
  • Shogi Lab Pro$1.99
None

将棋Arena

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Shogi Lab free?
Shogi Lab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 将棋Arena free?
将棋Arena is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Shogi Lab or 将棋Arena have ads?
Both Shogi Lab and 将棋Arena show ads.
Which is updated more often, Shogi Lab or 将棋Arena?
Shogi Lab ships an update every 3 days, and 将棋Arena weekly. Most recently, Shogi Lab was updated on October 28, 2026 and 将棋Arena on October 29, 2026.

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