Comparison

Chess Studio vs iCalibre

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

Head to head
About

Chess Studio

Read chess books and instantly play through moves on screen. This app allows you to interact with chess e-books, automatically scrolling text and displaying positions on a board. Navigate variations, search content, and customize your reading experience.

Highlights
  • Play over moves on screen
  • Automatic text scrolling
  • Tap moves to display position
  • Navigate complex variations
  • Searchable content
  • Choice of layout options
Features
Read full description

Ever wanted to read your favourite chess books and be able to instantly play over the moves on screen? The revolutionary new Chess Studio, from renowned chess publishers Gambit, enables you to do that, and more. After downloading the free app, purchase your choice of classic chess e-books from the Gambit library and begin. • text laid out in usual clear Gambit style • play over moves and variations on screen • accompanying text scrolls automatically • tap any chess move and the position appears on the board • easily navigate through complex variations • search function for words, phrases, player names • move swiftly between games and chapters • choice of layout options - including flip board • free sample text available to try out the app Chess Studio represents an enjoyable and portable new way of reading chess books, designed by chess players for chess players. Overseeing every aspect of the app design was Grandmaster John Nunn, one of the best-respected figures in the chess world and three-times World Chess Solving Champion.

About

iCalibre

Access your Calibre ebook library from any device via iCloud. Search, open, and read books directly within the app, with features like stored queries and cover image viewing. Keep your entire library synchronized across your iPhone, iPad, and PC.

Highlights
  • iCloud library synchronization
  • Open books directly in reader
  • Stored queries and autosuggest search
  • View cover images and descriptions
  • Search Google for book information
  • Mark books for easy searching
Features
Read full description

Keep your Calibre libraries on the iCloud and open them on your iPhone iPad and Mac or Windows pc. Open your library anywhere on the world, search and open books. As many libraries as you like. Open the books directly in the reader, no need for iTunes. Stored querys. Create your own (complex) query.  Autosuggest for the search.  View the cover image and read the description.  Search google for more information without leaving the app.  Mark books for easy search in Calibre. Everything is in the cloud, so all devices have the same information. And everything is availaballe in the whole world.

Screenshots

Chess Studio4 screens
iCalibre4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Chess Studio at Free against iCalibre's $4.99. Chess Studio also leads on review sentiment (60% vs 25%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 50 months). iCalibre's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 23). On ads 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

Chess Studio is free to download; iCalibre costs $4.99 up front. Chess Studio sells 23 one-off in-app purchases. iCalibre asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess Studio ships an update every 2 months, iCalibre every 50 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Chess Studio versus iCalibre: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChess StudioiCalibre
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating—1.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 50 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better12.4
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB97 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGambit PublicationsHarmen Reichert

Customer experience

Chess Studio

Written reviews30 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative33.3%

iCalibre

All ratings3 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

In-app purchases

23 purchases

Chess Studio

One-time23
  • Gambit Free SamplesFree
  • How to Beat Your Dad at Chess$9.99
  • Win with the Stonewall Dutch$9.99
Show 20 more
  • 50 Essential Chess Lessons$10.99
  • Idiot-Proof Chess Repertoire$10.99
  • Win with the London System$11.99
  • Learn Chess Tactics$11.99
  • Understanding the Chess Openings$11.99
  • A Simple Chess Opening Repertoire for White$11.99
  • Understanding Chess Endgames$13.99
  • Understanding Chess Middlegames$13.99
  • Understanding Chess Move by Move$13.99
  • Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy$13.99
  • Mastering the Chess Openings Volume 1$13.99
  • Mastering the Chess Openings Volume 2$13.99
  • A Strategic Chess Opening Repertoire for White$14.99
  • John Nunn's Chess Course$14.99
  • Fundamental Chess Openings$14.99
  • Fundamental Chess Endings$14.99
  • How to Play Chess Endgames$14.99
  • Nunn's Chess Endings Volume 1$14.99
  • Nunn's Chess Endings Volume 2$14.99
  • Mammoth Book of Greatest Games$14.99
None

iCalibre

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chess Studio free?
Chess Studio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is iCalibre free?
iCalibre costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Chess Studio or iCalibre have ads?
Neither Chess Studio nor iCalibre shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chess Studio or iCalibre?
Chess Studio ships an update every 2 months, and iCalibre every 50 months. Most recently, Chess Studio was updated on October 13, 2026 and iCalibre on October 14, 2026.

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