Comparison

Backgammon Tutor vs Backgammon

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Backgammon Tutor

This app serves as a comprehensive tutor for learning and playing backgammon. It offers various game modes, including against AI or other players, with features like progressive undo, move suggestions, and detailed statistics. Customize your experience with extensive settings and enjoy enhanced graphics on multiple devices.

Highlights
  • AI Tutor for learning
  • Play against computer or players
  • Progressive undo and move suggestions
  • Game Center achievements and leaderboards
  • Local network and pass-the-device modes
  • Detailed statistics tracking
  • Customizable settings
Features
Read full description

* MOST User Friendly BACKGAMMON App * - Tutor for Computer games, helps you learn how to play. - Invite players or play with random opponents. - Rematch option at the end of a match. - Game Center achievements and leader boards. Highlights include: - Look for Game Center auto-match opponents while playing a local game - Option to switch board home position and swap color. - Text chat feature for all network games (Game Center, Local Network). Can be turned OFF. - Play a Local Network game (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi), against the computer, or a pass-the-device game. - Skill rating, won games, won match points and experience scores for completed Game Center matches. - Progressive undo, replay last move, PIP values, doubling cube, human powered random rolls. - Checkers are easy to select and move, with variable animation speed. - Optionally show all possible moves for any piece, or use "one-tap" moves. - Play 1, 3, 5 or unlimited-point matches. - Resignation with 1, 2, 3 and unlimited times multiplier. - Universal App: enhanced graphics for iPad and retina displays. - Neural Network based advanced computer algorithm. - Extensive settings screen allows users to customize their experience (see screen shots). - Multiple dice rolling algorithms. - Statistics screen: tracks games won, matches points won, as well as dice roll statistics. - If the losing player disconnects from the game the winning player gets awarded the win. - 60-second time limit per move for Game Center Auto-Match games.

About

Backgammon

Engage in classic backgammon with AI or live multiplayer opponents. This app offers a comprehensive experience with features like a doubling cube, rule tutorials, and detailed player statistics. Play offline or online to hone your strategic skills and climb the leaderboards.

Highlights
  • Online and offline play
  • Challenge AI or real players
  • Master the doubling cube
  • Learn and improve with hints
  • Track detailed player statistics
  • Play anywhere, portrait/landscape
Features
Read full description

Challenge adaptive AI, share the board with a friend in local pass-and-play, and master the doubling cube — all free, with dice you can actually trust. The most complete backgammon experience for iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision: sharpen your strategy with hints, track deep stats, and climb the leaderboards. * SMART, ADAPTIVE AI Beginner, Intermediate & Expert levels tuned to your playstyle — never a rigged board, just a smarter opponent. * PASS & PLAY Share one device and play a real match against a friend, head-to-head, no connection required. * LEARN & IMPROVE Move hints, legal-move highlights, and a full rules tutorial — go from your first roll to your first double with confidence. * REAL MATCH PLAY 1-point, 3-point & full matches, doubling cube, and the Crawford rule — tournament-standard play, not a simplified clone. * STATS THAT MATTER Elo-style rating, win/loss graphs, pip counts, and complete dice history, so you can see exactly how fair your rolls really are. * PLAY ANYWHERE Portrait or landscape, online or fully offline vs. AI. "The best free backgammon app—AI is tough, local play is smooth." – App Store review Also known as Tavla, Nardi, or Narde — this is backgammon the way it's meant to be played.

Screenshots

Backgammon Tutor4 screens
Backgammon4 screens

Verdict

The call

Backgammon Tutor and Backgammon both sit at 4.4 stars, but that hides the real split: 70% of Backgammon's written reviews are positive against 27% of Backgammon Tutor's. Backgammon also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 2 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Backgammon Tutor sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. Backgammon asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Backgammon Tutor against 4.4 for Backgammon. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 307 and 168 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 27% of Backgammon Tutor's written reviews are positive against 70% of Backgammon's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Backgammon Tutor ships an update every 2 months, Backgammon every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Backgammon Tutor versus Backgammon: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBackgammon TutorBackgammon
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (307 ratings) — better4.4 (168 ratings)
Positive reviews27.0% of reviews70.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings307 — better168
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB104 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperQuatrian Inc.Linda Mottley

Customer experience

Backgammon Tutor

All ratings307 ratings
Positive84.0%
Neutral5.9%
Negative10.1%
Written reviews37 reviews
Positive27.0%
Neutral16.2%
Negative56.8%

Backgammon

All ratings168 ratings
Positive86.3%
Neutral3.0%
Negative10.7%
Written reviews54 reviews
Positive70.4%
Neutral1.9%
Negative27.8%

User reviews

Backgammon Tutor

From 307 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great for learning backgammon
  • 👍 Skill levels are perfect
  • 👍 Fun to play
  • 👍 Good competitive game
  • 👍 Can play fast

Room to improve

  • 👎 App crashes and restarts
  • 👎 Tutor doesn't teach
  • 👎 Computer cheats
  • 👎 Dice rolls are rigged
  • 👎 Unfair play

Backgammon

From 168 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Fun and enjoyable game
  • 👍 Good graphics and design
  • 👍 Helpful tutorial for beginners
  • 👍 Can be played offline
  • 👍 Good for passing time

Room to improve

  • 👎 AI is rigged/cheats
  • 👎 Computer rolls are not random
  • 👎 Poor AI logic/plays poorly
  • 👎 App frequently crashes or freezes
  • 👎 App won't open/blank screen

Bugs and requests

Backgammon Tutor

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • App crashes and restarts
  • Computer rolls too many doubles
  • Computer rolls specific numbers to win
  • Computer cheats
  • Dice rolls are not random
Show 7 more
  • Game is rigged
  • Computer always wins initial roll
  • Computer gets doubles more often
  • Computer rolls 6 more frequently
  • Skill ratings not kept
  • Does not work on older phones
  • Not compatible with older iOS versions

Requested features

7 requests
  • Increase customization options
  • More step-by-step instructions
  • Auto-roll option
  • Auto-select knocked out piece
  • Option to re-roll dice
Show 2 more
  • Recognize when game has limited moves and notify player with auto-complete option
  • Market better to increase online players

Backgammon

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • App won't open
  • App freezes/hangs
  • Two taps required for one move
  • Incorrect move selection by AI
  • AI rolls are not random
Show 4 more
  • Display graphics obscure continue button
  • In 2-player mode, no menus appear when black starts
  • Software doesn't always display who goes first in 2-player hard mode
  • UI elements cover board pieces

Requested features

5 requests
  • Fix rigged AI rolls
  • Make AI more challenging/less predictable
  • Allow users to choose layout/design
  • Reconsider placement of move/undo buttons
  • Add option for cube

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Backgammon Tutor

Subscriptions1
  • No Ads Subscription$1.991 Year
One-time1
  • No Ads$4.99
None

Backgammon

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Backgammon Tutor free?
Backgammon Tutor 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, Backgammon Tutor or Backgammon?
Backgammon Tutor is rated higher. Backgammon Tutor averages 4.4 out of 5 from 307 ratings, while Backgammon averages 4.4 from 168 ratings.
Do Backgammon Tutor or Backgammon have ads?
Both Backgammon Tutor and Backgammon show ads.
Which is updated more often, Backgammon Tutor or Backgammon?
Backgammon Tutor ships an update every 2 months, and Backgammon every 8 days. Most recently, Backgammon Tutor was updated on September 8, 2026 and Backgammon on September 23, 2026.

Other comparisons