# Hardwood Backgammon vs Backgammon

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Hardwood Backgammon at 63% against Backgammon's 21%. Hardwood Backgammon also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 11 months). Backgammon's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 16) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Hardwood Backgammon sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Backgammon asks for nothing beyond the download.

Backgammon holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 166 and 735 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 63% of Hardwood Backgammon's written reviews are positive against 21% of Backgammon's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Hardwood Backgammon ships an update every 2 months, Backgammon every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hardwood Backgammon | Backgammon |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (166 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hardwood-backgammon/id897715914/reviews) | **[4.6 (735 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-classic/id1617638738/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 166 | **735** |
| Positive reviews | **62.5% of reviews** | 21.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 11 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 105 MB | 172 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Silver Creek Entertainment](https://appshunter.io/developer/493710735) | [Blackout Lab SL](https://appshunter.io/developer/1479305180) |

## 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


### Backgammon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-classic/id1617638738)

Master strategy and skill in this classic board game. Move your checkers, hit opponents, and use the doubling cube to increase stakes. Enjoy hours of exciting gameplay on mobile and tablet.

**Highlights:** Move checkers based on dice rolls, Hit opponent's checkers, Use doubling cube for stakes, Play in 1 to 15 point matches, Smart and adaptive AI opponent, Auto-save progress

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hardwood Backgammon free?

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

### Is Backgammon free?

Backgammon is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

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

Backgammon is rated higher. Hardwood Backgammon averages 4.3 out of 5 from 166 ratings, while Backgammon averages 4.6 from 735 ratings.

### Do Hardwood Backgammon or Backgammon have ads?

Both Hardwood Backgammon and Backgammon show ads.

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

Hardwood Backgammon ships an update every 2 months, and Backgammon every 11 months. Most recently, Hardwood Backgammon was updated on September 19, 2026 and Backgammon on September 27, 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.*