Comparison

Chess Studio vs Bookshop.org

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

Bookshop.org

Read your ebooks and discover new titles while supporting independent bookstores. All ebook purchases made through this platform directly benefit local bookshops, ensuring their continued success in the digital age.

Highlights
  • Read ebooks from your library
  • Browse millions of ebooks
  • Add titles to wishlist
  • Support local bookstores with purchases
  • Connect seamlessly with Bookshop
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Bookshop.org’s mission is simple: We help local, independent bookstores thrive by giving more than 80% of our profits back to our network of 3,000+ stores. In our app, you can read millions of ebooks - and every purchase supports an independent bookstore near you! In the Bookshop app you can: - Read your ebooks in our customizable ebook reader. - Browse millions of titles and discover your next favorite read in romance, thrillers, mystery, fiction, non-fiction, memoir, and more. - Organize your TBR into custom shelves. - Highlight in five different colors, and add notes to your highlighted passages. - Sort & filter highlights and notes by date created, book order, and more. - Save titles to your wishlist so you can read them later. - Shop knowing that over 80% of the profit goes directly to local, independent bookstores. We’re a Certified B Corp, and we’ve raised more than $50 million for independent bookstores nationwide since 2020. Download the Bookshop.org app to support bookstores, not billionaires.

Screenshots

Chess Studio4 screens
Bookshop.org4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Bookshop.org at none against Chess Studio's 10. Bookshop.org also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months) and chart position (#185 vs unranked). Chess Studio's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 16.4). On price, review sentiment, 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

Both are free to download. Chess Studio sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Bookshop.org asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess Studio ships an update every 2 months, Bookshop.org every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Chess Studio versus Bookshop.org: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChess StudioBookshop.org
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.8 (2.3K ratings) — better
Positive reviews58.1% of reviews — better56.7% of reviews
Number of ratings—2.3K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank—#185 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB111 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperGambit PublicationsBookshop, Inc.

Customer experience

Chess Studio

Written reviews31 reviews
Positive58.1%
Neutral6.5%
Negative35.5%

Bookshop.org

All ratings2,175 ratings
Positive94.3%
Neutral3.2%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews180 reviews
Positive56.7%
Neutral22.8%
Negative20.6%

Bugs and requests

Chess Studio

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Bookshop.org

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Inability to remember last page read
  • Scrolling issues and unexpected page skipping
  • Formatting problems (stripped italics, weird paragraph spacing)
  • Settings not persisting between app sessions

Requested features

7 requests
  • More font and theme options
  • Ability to adjust line spacing, margins, and other formatting
  • Implement highlighting, annotation, and note-taking features
  • Add search functionality
  • Improve page turning and navigation
Show 2 more
  • Provide better dark mode/night reading experience
  • Sync reading progress across devices

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Chess Studio

One-time10
  • Gambit Free SamplesFree
  • How to Beat Your Dad at Chess$9.99
  • Win with the London System$11.99
Show 7 more
  • 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
  • John Nunn's Chess Course$14.99
  • Fundamental Chess Openings$14.99
None

Bookshop.org

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chess Studio free?
Chess Studio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bookshop.org free?
Bookshop.org is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Chess Studio or Bookshop.org have ads?
Neither Chess Studio nor Bookshop.org shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chess Studio or Bookshop.org?
Chess Studio ships an update every 2 months, and Bookshop.org every 5 days. Most recently, Chess Studio was updated on November 1, 2026 and Bookshop.org on November 3, 2026.

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