NEWBL KataGo vs Astra Go
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NEWBL KataGo
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NEWBL KataGo lets you play baduk matches against AI and review game records with ease. Key Features • AI baduk matches • Kifu viewing and replay • Handicap, komi, and stone color settings • Adjustable AI thinking time Before each match, you can quickly set handicap, komi, your stone color, and the AI thinking speed. After playing, you can open and review kifu to study the flow of the game. Whether you want casual AI matches or a simple way to review game records, NEWBL KataGo helps you enjoy and study baduk in one place. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Astra Go
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AstraGo Set a stone on a board rich with wood grain and light, hear it land, and settle into the game. AstraGo brings solo play, learning, and review together in one Go setting. Play KataGo anytime KataGo runs on your device, so you can start a game offline. Choose an opponent level, a 9×9, 13×13, or 19×19 board, and Chinese, Japanese, or Korean rules. Save an unfinished game and pick it up later. Two players, one device Play with someone beside you and set each player's main time and byo-yomi. Lessons and life-and-death problems Learn through board demonstrations and exercises, from the basics and opening to the middlegame and endgame. Choose problems by difficulty, and use hints, trial moves, or answer playback when you need them. Records and review Save and revisit games on your device, or use an empty board to record an over-the-board game. In review, explore win-rate and score trends, key mistakes, AI suggestions, and alternative moves. A board with atmosphere Kaya, walnut, bamboo, ebony, and vermilion lacquer themes bring distinct materials and surroundings to the board. Stones, bowls, lighting, and sound shape the feel of each move, in portrait or landscape. No account is required. Solo play and basic learning work offline. AstraGo has no ads.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: NEWBL KataGo at every 3 days against Astra Go's weekly. NEWBL KataGo also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. NEWBL KataGo sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Astra Go sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
NEWBL KataGo ships an update every 3 days, Astra Go weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NEWBL KataGo | Astra Go |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days — better | Weekly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 37 MB | 158 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Newbl | Qi Shen |
In-app purchases
NEWBL KataGo
- Monthly Unlimited$0.991 Month
- AI Coach$2.991 Month
- Annual Unlimited$4.991 Year
Astra Go
- Walnut Theme$0.99
- Bamboo Theme$0.99
- Ebony Theme$0.99
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- Vermilion Lacquer Theme$0.99
- Full Review$4.99







