Comparison

PGN Trainer vs Gambit

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

Head to head
About

PGN Trainer

Master chess openings with a personalized repertoire builder. Import PGNs, download studies, and train using spaced repetition and engine analysis. Syncs across devices.

Highlights
  • Build custom chess opening repertoires
  • Import PGN files and download studies
  • Search openings by move sequence or ECO
  • Train with spaced repetition
  • Analyze games with engine integration
  • Sync library across iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Features
Read full description

As an adult improver who reached a 2100+ rating in my 50s, I founded PGN Trainer to solve my own problem: I needed a better way to truly master my openings without relying on expensive, proprietary courses. By building and training my custom repertoire with these exact tools, I shattered my plateau and raised my rating by over 300 points. Whether you are a young club player crafting your first set of openings or a veteran organizing deep theoretical preparation, this is the all-in-one tool designed to help you do the exact same thing. BUILD & ORGANIZE YOUR LIBRARY • Create Your Way: Import your own PGN files, analyze and build a repertoire from the ground up, or download from our rich built-in library of effective, popular openings. • Tailored to You: Find downloadable studies that perfectly match your playing level (Intermediate, Advanced, or Master) and your personal style (whether you prefer Dominating attacks or Solid/Defensive setups). • Total Control: Reorganize your library effortlessly. Separate files, merge repertoires together, or edit and expand your lines directly using deep engine analysis. ADVANCED SEARCH & DISCOVERY • Find Any Line: Search your entire library by specific move sequences, official ECO names (e.g., "Sicilian"), or ECO numbers (e.g., "B90"). • Spotty Search: Use wildcard "spotty" moves to skip moves in your search and easily find transpositions. • Position Matching: Instantly search your custom repertoire for matching positions while you are analyzing your actual, real-world games. STUDY, TRAIN, AND ANALYZE • Three Seamless Modes: Effortlessly surf between Studying the theory, Training your memory, and Analyzing with the engine—all in one fluid experience to enhance your learning. • Spaced Repetition: Train your customized lines using smart spaced repetitions, ensuring you focus your time exactly on the variations you struggle to remember. • Active Learning: Play your prepared responses directly against the engine so you are fully prepared when you sit down at the board. GENEROUS FREE TIER & CLOUD SYNC • Truly Free for Most Players: Enjoy access to intermediate libraries, full study modes, and active training completely for free. We only require a premium upgrade for massive, master-level studies containing more than 2,000 total moves. • iCloud Sync: Your complete opening library syncs automatically across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Build a study on your Mac, and train it on your iPhone during your commute! Stop renting your chess knowledge. Build your ultimate repertoire, train your exact lines, and step up to the board with total confidence. Download PGN Trainer today! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://chesspgntrainer.smartworldinnovations.com/privacy-policy

About

Gambit

Features
Read full description

Gambit helps you learn from your games without making study feel like homework. Import your games, review the moments that actually mattered, and start noticing the patterns that keep showing up in your play. It's like having a coach in your pocket who knows your games and knows where you tend to get in your own way. Whether you just hung your queen, missed a tactic, or played a great game and want to know why it worked, Gambit turns your games into clear, friendly lessons you will actually want to come back to. Import your games from Chess.com: Add your username and pull in your recent games so your review queue is ready to go. Get guided game reviews: Gambit focuses on the key moments, not every random move. You get a cleaner review experience that is easier to follow and easier to learn from. See what actually happened in your game Step through the biggest turning points, mistakes, missed chances, and strong moves with simple coaching that explains what mattered. Spot recurring patterns in your play: The more games you review, the more Gambit learns. It can surface repeat habits and tell you the one thing that is worth fixing first. Stay on top of new games: Turn on auto sync and notifications so new games get imported and you know when one is ready to review. Make the app feel like yours: Choose from different board themes and app icons to give Gambit your personal touch. Keep your progress with you: Your saved history and preferences sync so your coaching experience stays consistent. Built with privacy in mind: Your account is used for game imports and review features, nothing creepy, nothing weird. Gambit is for players who want to improve, but also want the process to feel fun, encouraging, and actually useful. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

PGN Trainer4 screens
Gambit4 screens

Verdict

The call

PGN Trainer and Gambit are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. PGN Trainer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per year and Gambit sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
PGN Trainer versus Gambit: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPGN TrainerGambit
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size121 MB68 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSmart World Innovations LLCJack Cornet Paterson

In-app purchases

3 purchases

PGN Trainer

Subscriptions1
  • QueenBeak$7.991 Year
One-time2
  • KnightBeak$5.99
  • KingBeak$19.99
2 purchases

Gambit

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Yearly$49.991 Year

Questions

Is PGN Trainer free?
PGN Trainer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Gambit free?
Gambit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PGN Trainer or Gambit have ads?
Neither PGN Trainer nor Gambit shows ads.

Other comparisons