# ChessFlex vs Dark Squares

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Dark Squares at 15.0 against ChessFlex's 17.6. On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ChessFlex sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Dark Squares sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for ChessFlex against 5.0 for Dark Squares. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

ChessFlex ships an update fortnightly, Dark Squares weekly. Both last shipped on September 30, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | ChessFlex | Dark Squares |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessflex/id6761064938/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dark-squares/id6773081437/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 11 MB | 75 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Labham LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1881832925) | [Avi Kremer](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896394329) |

## What reviewers say

### ChessFlex

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessflex/id6761064938)

Play chess with friends or AI without accounts or servers. Features a FIDE-formula rating system and asynchronous play. Offers an optional one-time unlock for in-depth game analysis and coaching.

**Highlights:** Play with friends via QR code or iMessage, Human-like AI bots with adjustable ELO, FIDE-formula rating system, Asynchronous and timed game modes, No chat, only chess notation, Private by design, no accounts or tracking, Optional game analysis and coaching unlock

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ChessFlex Study | $7.99 | one-time |


### Dark Squares

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dark-squares/id6773081437)

Experience chess with a magical twist. Arm your pieces with weapons and spells to outmaneuver opponents. Win by capturing the king in this strategic, fast-paced adaptation.

**Highlights:** Real chess mechanics, Weapon and spell loadouts, King capture victory condition, Play friends online, Play against AI, Ranked online duels, Unlock and upgrade weapons

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dark Squares Pro | $4.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ChessFlex free?

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

### Is Dark Squares free?

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

### Which has better reviews, ChessFlex or Dark Squares?

ChessFlex and Dark Squares are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do ChessFlex or Dark Squares have ads?

Neither ChessFlex nor Dark Squares shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ChessFlex or Dark Squares?

ChessFlex ships an update fortnightly, and Dark Squares weekly. Most recently, ChessFlex was updated on September 30, 2026 and Dark Squares on September 30, 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.*