Comparison

NEWBL KataGo vs Astra Go

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

Head to head
About

NEWBL KataGo

Features
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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/

About

Astra Go

Features
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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

NEWBL KataGo4 screens
Astra Go4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
NEWBL KataGo versus Astra Go: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNEWBL KataGoAstra Go
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB158 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperNewblQi Shen

In-app purchases

3 purchases

NEWBL KataGo

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly Unlimited$0.991 Month
  • AI Coach$2.991 Month
  • Annual Unlimited$4.991 Year
5 purchases

Astra Go

One-time5
  • Walnut Theme$0.99
  • Bamboo Theme$0.99
  • Ebony Theme$0.99
Show 2 more
  • Vermilion Lacquer Theme$0.99
  • Full Review$4.99

Questions

Is NEWBL KataGo free?
NEWBL KataGo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Astra Go free?
Astra Go is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do NEWBL KataGo or Astra Go have ads?
Neither NEWBL KataGo nor Astra Go shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NEWBL KataGo or Astra Go?
NEWBL KataGo ships an update every 3 days, and Astra Go weekly. Most recently, NEWBL KataGo was updated on October 29, 2026 and Astra Go on November 6, 2026.

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