# Hardwood Backgammon vs FriendGammon

The clearest difference is ads: FriendGammon at none against Hardwood Backgammon's shown. FriendGammon also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months). Hardwood Backgammon's advantage is rating (4.3 vs 3.8) and review sentiment (63% vs 53%). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Hardwood Backgammon sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and FriendGammon sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Hardwood Backgammon holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 166 and 70 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of Hardwood Backgammon's written reviews are positive against 53% of FriendGammon's.

Hardwood Backgammon ships an update every 2 months, FriendGammon every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hardwood Backgammon | FriendGammon |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (166 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hardwood-backgammon/id897715914/reviews)** | [3.8 (70 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/friendgammon/id1470399365/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **166** | 70 |
| Positive reviews | **62.5% of reviews** | 52.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 105 MB | 95 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Silver Creek Entertainment](https://appshunter.io/developer/493710735) | [Kiss My Art LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1547296175) |

## What reviewers say

### Hardwood Backgammon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hardwood-backgammon/id897715914)

Experience the classic board game with this digital adaptation. Play against a strong AI, challenge friends locally, or compete with players worldwide. Features include full match play, a doubling cube, and engaging achievements.

**Highlights:** Single player vs AI, Online multiplayer, 2 player local mode, Full match play, Doubling cube, Achievements

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plus Membership | $4.99 | per month |
| 1 Month Plus Membership | $4.99 | per month |
| Plus Membership | $14.99 | per 3 months |
| 3 Month Plus Membership | $14.99 | per 3 months |
| Plus Membership | $29.99 | per year |
| 12 Month Plus Membership | $29.99 | per year |
| Pack of 80 Tokens | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pack of 165 Tokens | $1.99 | one-time |
| Plus Membership | $2.99 | one-time |
| Pack of 425 Tokens | $4.99 | one-time |
| 1 Month Plus Membership | $4.99 | one-time |
| Plus Membership | $4.99 | one-time |
| Pack of 865 Tokens | $9.99 | one-time |
| Plus Membership | $14.99 | one-time |
| Plus Membership | $19.99 | one-time |
| Pack of 1800 Tokens | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 High-quality graphics and visual design
- 🎵 Relaxing sound effects and audio
- 👍 Clean, intuitive interface
- 🎮 Multiple game modes (single and multiplayer)
- ⚡ Minimal ads and non-intrusive monetization

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🎲 Perceived unfair/rigged dice rolls favoring AI
- 😤 Computer gets excessive doubles and perfect rolls
- 🔒 Paywall features and token-based progression
- 📱 Game board too small on large screens
- 🐢 Game performance issues and slowness

**Reported bugs**

- App fails to load on some devices
- Apple TV version blocks legal moves
- Controls unresponsive on Apple TV
- Unclear how to enable local multiplayer between devices
- Game becomes unresponsive during gameplay

**Requested features**

- Acey-Deucey game variant
- Larger, scalable game board for tablets
- Better difficulty settings based on strategy, not just dice manipulation
- More multiplayer players available
- Customizable game rules and settings


### FriendGammon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/friendgammon/id1470399365)

Engage in classic backgammon matches with friends. This app offers a beautifully designed interface for enjoyable gameplay. Connect and compete with your social circle in strategic board game fun.

**Highlights:** Play backgammon, Compete with friends, Beautifully designed interface, Online multiplayer

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium subscription (monthly) | $4.99 | per month |
| $5 Donation Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| $10 Donation Subscription | $9.99 | per month |
| $20 Donation Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Premium subscription (yearly) | $50.00 | per year |
| Costa-Rica | $4.99 | one-time |
| Amalfi | $4.99 | one-time |
| NYC | $4.99 | one-time |
| Los Angeles | $4.99 | one-time |
| $5 One Time Donation | $4.99 | one-time |
| $10 One Time Donation | $9.99 | one-time |
| $20 One Time Donation | $19.99 | one-time |
| $30 One Time Donation | $29.99 | one-time |
| $50 One Time Donation | $49.99 | one-time |
| $100 One Time Donation | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hardwood Backgammon free?

Hardwood Backgammon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is FriendGammon free?

FriendGammon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Hardwood Backgammon or FriendGammon?

Hardwood Backgammon is rated higher. Hardwood Backgammon averages 4.3 out of 5 from 166 ratings, while FriendGammon averages 3.8 from 70 ratings.

### Do Hardwood Backgammon or FriendGammon have ads?

Hardwood Backgammon shows ads; FriendGammon does not.

### Which is updated more often, Hardwood Backgammon or FriendGammon?

Hardwood Backgammon ships an update every 2 months, and FriendGammon every 6 days. Most recently, Hardwood Backgammon was updated on October 23, 2026 and FriendGammon on October 25, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*