# Hardwood Backgammon vs Backgammon

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Backgammon at none against Hardwood Backgammon's 16. Hardwood Backgammon's advantage is review sentiment (63% vs 29%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 11 months). On price, ratings volume, 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.

Hardwood Backgammon holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 166 and 197 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of Hardwood Backgammon's written reviews are positive against 29% of Backgammon's.

Hardwood Backgammon ships an update every 2 months, Backgammon every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 12, 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)** | [4.1 (197 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-two-player/id6484267268/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 166 | **197** |
| Positive reviews | **62.5% of reviews** | 28.6% 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 | 88 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Silver Creek Entertainment](https://appshunter.io/developer/493710735) | [Sergei Shendrikov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1548534996) |

## 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-two-player/id6484267268)

Enjoy a classic backgammon experience with realistic graphics. Play against friends, family, or a single opponent in this timeless board game.

**Highlights:** Classic backgammon gameplay, Single player mode, Two player mode, Realistic graphics, Family-friendly fun

**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?

Hardwood Backgammon is rated higher. Hardwood Backgammon averages 4.3 out of 5 from 166 ratings, while Backgammon averages 4.1 from 197 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 12, 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.*