Chess Studio Lite vs Chessify
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Chess Studio Lite
Manage and analyze chess games and databases in PGN format. Study openings, practice against engines, and solve puzzles with advanced analysis tools. Supports multiple devices and cloud storage integration.
- PGN database management
- Game analysis with Stockfish 18
- Opening book creation and import
- Diagram recognition
- Cloud storage integration
- Play against engine (standard & Chess 960)
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Chess Studio is the first and only application for iPhone and iPad able to completely manage chess database and games in PGN format. Chess Studio is an application designed and built for those players who really want to deepen their knowledge in the field of chess, studying chess regularly and participate in tournaments. Chess Studio allows you to: • Read database and games in PGN format (also with extended notation of moves). • Create, delete and modify folders and databases. • View games with annotations and textual comments and keep track of the displayed games. • Use a double chessboard on the same screen for better game analysis. • Visualize moves and variants in compact mode or indented mode. • Modify existing games with move annotation and textual comments. • Insert new games and positions. • Insert moves with annotations and textual comments. • Insert variation, subvariations etc. • Insert and visualize graphical annotation (colored arrows and highlighted squares). • Share Databases and Games through Airdrop. • Download chess database from internet. • Download chess database from PGN Mentor site. • Import games, database and Opening Books from other applications. • Merge two or more databases. • Copy/Paste games and positions. • Analyze games with Stockfish 19 Engine with the support of the Neural Networks (up to 5 lines of analysis simultaneously) and see the results also through the Engine Evaluation Bar. • See graphic visualization of moves suggested by Stockfish 19 engine. • See Win-Draw-Loss (WDL) probabilities during engine analysis. • Replay games automatically. • Visualize Pawn structure. • Manage Variations and sub-variatons: delete and promote variations. • Read the weekly Magazine The Week In Chess and download the games. • Uploading and Downloading PGN database to/from Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive. • Three different modes for moving pieces. • Analyse endgames with Endgame Tablebases. • Analyse and study Chess Openings. • Creation and management of Opening Books in Polyglot format. • Import and management of ChessBase Opening Books (ctg, cto, ctb format). • Automatically classify a database according to ECO code. • Replay, enter and analyze Chess 960 games (Fischer Random Chess). • Play against the engine both in standard mode and in Chess 960 mode. • Solving Puzzles. • Diagram Recognition: this feature allows the user to take and/or upload photos of chess diagrams and convert them into PGN format positions. Other features and technical details: • Modify the board size tapping on the board or through the Settings menu. • Professional chess fonts and figurines for moves notation and annotation. • Preview of the game in the board tapping the Info button. • Advanced search feature. • Visualization of ECO code and Opening during game replay or game insertion. • Visualization of Book Openings during game replay or game insertion. • Complete management of Null Moves with Tutorial. • Portrait/Landscape mode for all devices. • Support of Slide Over and Split View mode. • Function to move up within variants and subvariants. • Online manual frequently updated. • iOS 26 compatible and optimized for all the devices. • Sharing of databases across devices via iCloud Drive. • Sound option. • Support for iPad Pro Keyboard or bluetooth keyboard. • VoiceOver/Accessibility support. • Direct contact via email with the developer. • Languages: English, Italian, Spanish and German. Complete description at the following address: https://chessstudio.wordpress.com/chess-studio/ The application is continuously updated with new features and improvements. Chess Studio Lite is a smaller version of Chess Studio where some features are limited. To view the terms of service visit https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ No registration! No advertising! No sharing of personal data! If you own an iMac or a MacBook try the new Chess Lab!
Chessify
This app offers advanced chess analysis tools, including a real-time chessboard scanner, powerful cloud-based engines, and a unique video finder. Analyze games, puzzles, and learn chess theory with comprehensive features for players of all levels.
- Real chessboard scanner
- Superfast cloud chess engine analysis
- Video finder for chess positions
- Offline play against Stockfish
- Opening Explorer with Lichess database
- Import/export FEN/PGN
- Online real-time Blitz
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Chessify is an all-in-one chess platform built for players who want to improve with professional-level chess tools. Analyze with powerful cloud engines running on servers up to 1024 threads and 1 Billion NPS speed, explore databases of 12 million+ professional games, scan real chessboards and books, prepare openings, and review games from anywhere. Features that once required heavy desktop software are now available in a single mobile app designed for players of all levels. Whether you’re solving puzzles, training openings, or analyzing tournament games, Chessify combines advanced chess tools into one fast and easy-to-use experience. Features: ZIUK — YOUR AI CHESS ASSISTANT Ziuk is your AI chess assistant that helps you analyze games, understand positions, learn from mistakes, and explore openings. Unlike traditional chess engines that show you the best moves and evaluations, Ziuk explains the ideas behind them. Ask questions in your own language and get explanations that help you understand the game. Ziuk combines artificial intelligence, powerful chess engines, and Chessify’s analysis tools in one conversation. Connect your Chess.com or Lichess account to import your games and analyze them with Ziuk. - Powerful Cloud Engine Analysis Analyze with Stockfish 18, Lc0, Berserk, Caissa, Crystal, Patricia, Viridithas, AsmFish, ShashChess, Koivisto, RubiChess, and Sugar AI chess engines on cloud servers with up to 1024 threads, reaching up to 1BN/s speed. - Mega Database Search through 10 million+ professional FIDE-rated games with move statistics, player ratings, and opening trends. - Correspondence Chess Database Study the 2 Million+ official ICCF database games played with deep engine-assisted preparation. - Scan 2D & 3D Chessboards Scan real boards and diagrams from books or screens with high accuracy and instantly analyze the position with Stockfish 18. - Chess PDF Scanner Import chess PDF books and scan positions directly from pages for quick analysis and study. - Play Against Stockfish Challenge one of the world’s strongest chess engines with adjustable strength settings. Play from initial or any given position. - PGN & Move Notation Create analysis files with multiple variations and comments or import your existing files and review them with your phone at any time. - Save Games & Analysis Store your games, analysis, and studies locally or in the cloud and access them anytime. - Import, Export, and Share PGN/FEN Easily import your games or export positions and analysis to share with chess friends or students. Whether you’re a beginner, club player, coach, or grandmaster, Chessify provides powerful analysis and training tools for every stage of your chess journey. Privacy Policy: https://chessify.me/privacy-policy Terms of Use / End User License Agreement (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Chess Studio Lite at none against Chessify's 19. Chess Studio Lite also leads on review sentiment (64% vs 46%) and update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). Chessify's advantage is ratings volume (398 vs 11). On price, rating, 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
Both are free to download. Chessify sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Chess Studio Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Chess Studio Lite against 4.4 for Chessify. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chessify has 398 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of Chess Studio Lite's written reviews are positive against 46% of Chessify's.
Chess Studio Lite ships an update fortnightly, Chessify monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Chess Studio Lite | Chessify |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (11 ratings) | 4.4 (398 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 63.6% of reviews — better | 46.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 11 | 398 — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 237 MB | 140 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Giordano Vicoli | Chessify Inc. |
Customer experience
Chess Studio Lite
Chessify
Bugs and requests
Chess Studio Lite
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Chessify
Reported bugs
12 issues- Black screen in camera view during scanning
- Scanning omits first or last rank of board
- App crashes when loading images
- Buttons not clickable on certain iOS versions
- Position not recognized from screenshots
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- App closes immediately after opening
- Board rotation lock resets to landscape
- Analysis not visible unless switching apps
- Scanning fails 3 out of 5 times
- Subscription billing issues (wrong tier shown)
- App doesn't load past starting screen
- Photo library order reversed for board photos
Requested features
12 requests- Add move comments and annotations capability
- Board flip option during gameplay
- Auto-save functionality to prevent position loss
- Ability to edit and extend saved games
- Tactics puzzle mode with move verification
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- Automatic analysis on position scan
- Lc0 engine option
- iPad version support
- Lichess app integration
- Move sound toggle persistence
- Better indication of which side has advantage
- Depth control for analysis (stop at specific depth)
In-app purchases
Chess Studio Lite
No in-app purchases
Chessify
- Bronze 1 Month$0.991 Month
- Silver 1 month$2.491 Month
- Gold 1 Month$7.991 Month
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- Bronze 12 months$7.991 Year
- Amateur$12.991 Month
- Silver 12 months$14.991 Year
- Gold 12 months$49.991 Year
- Master$59.991 Month
- Amateur Yearly$129.991 Year
- Master$559.991 Year
- SuperFast analysis - 1000 sec.$0.99
- SuperFast analysis - 10000sec.$3.99
- SuperFast analysis - 30000sec.$5.99
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- Starter Pack$5.99
- Standard Pack$11.49
- SuperFast analysis - 100000sec$13.99
- Popular Pack$29.49
- SuperFast analysis - unlimited$34.99
- Ultimate Pack$117.99
Questions
Is Chess Studio Lite free?
Is Chessify free?
Which has better reviews, Chess Studio Lite or Chessify?
Do Chess Studio Lite or Chessify have ads?
Which is updated more often, Chess Studio Lite or Chessify?
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