Comparison

Zenmate vs CherryChess

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

Head to head
About

Zenmate

Features
Read full description

Zenmate is a calm, beautifully designed chess app built for focused play. Play a quiet game against the AI, start a match with friends through Game Center, or pass-and-play on one device. Zenmate keeps the interface simple and refined so the board stays central and every move has room to breathe. Features: - Play vs AI with multiple difficulty levels - Play with friends using Game Center - Local 2-player pass-and-play - Light and dark mode - Optional board coordinates - Flip board support - Clean timers and move-focused gameplay A quiet game of kings. Designed to slow you down, one move at a time.

About

CherryChess

Features
Read full description

Cherry Chess is a beautifully simple chess app that helps you actually get better. Play against honestly calibrated bots or a friend, then let a full-strength Stockfish engine show you exactly where the game was won or lost – all on your device, no account, no internet required. EVERY MOVE RATED • Each move gets a verdict, from Brilliant and Best Move to Mistake and Blunder • See instantly what your move was worth – or switch it off and just play • Optional evaluation bar right next to the board OPPONENTS AT YOUR LEVEL • Bots from 300 to 2200 in steps of 100, each step measured against real playing strength • They play like humans at their level – including the mistakes – and they finish won games • Max: the engine at full strength, for when you want to see perfect chess • Rated games always put you against the bot at your own level PLAY YOUR WAY • Rated, free or against a friend on the same device, with an optional board flip • With or without a clock, from 1 to 60 minutes plus increment, with a low-time warning • Move list while you play and hints when you get stuck • Focus mode hides everything but the board SEE WHERE YOUR GAME TURNED • Full game review with the evaluation graph and the best move for every position • The move list highlights only the moves worth finding • Accuracy and a performance rating for every game • Free analysis board to explore any position with the engine A RATING THAT MEANS SOMETHING • Every rated game moves your rating, on the same scale as the bots • Track your rating curve, accuracy, streaks and activity in your profile • Your complete game history, ready to replay and review LEARN WITH A PLAN • A learning path of 42 lessons in six units: board and pieces, check and mate, material, tactics, endgames and openings • Free practice whenever you like: board coordinates, checkmate puzzles and an opening trainer with 22 opening families MADE WITH CARE • Clean, distinctive design in dark and light themes • Two piece sets: the custom-made Cherry pieces and a timeless classic set • Smooth animations, haptic feedback and VoiceOver support • Available in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Japanese and Chinese PRIVATE BY DESIGN No account, no sign-up, no tracking. Your games and progress stay on your device, and the engine runs completely offline. Whether you're learning how the knight moves or chasing your next rating milestone, Cherry Chess meets you at your level – and helps you go further.

Screenshots

Zenmate4 screens
CherryChess4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: CherryChess at every 5 days against Zenmate's every 6 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Zenmate ships an update every 6 weeks, CherryChess every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 5 level
Zenmate versus CherryChess: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZenmateCherryChess
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB86 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTimothy NiceMilan Swillus

In-app purchases

None

Zenmate

No in-app purchases

None

CherryChess

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Zenmate free?
Zenmate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CherryChess free?
CherryChess is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Zenmate or CherryChess have ads?
Neither Zenmate nor CherryChess shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Zenmate or CherryChess?
Zenmate ships an update every 6 weeks, and CherryChess every 5 days. Most recently, Zenmate was updated on October 25, 2026 and CherryChess on October 19, 2026.

Other comparisons