Chess App Reviews
Six full reviews, each built the same way: what the app is, who it is for, key features, free versus paid, strengths, weaknesses, alternatives and a verdict. Every review, including the one for our own product ChessHelper (chesshelper.ai), lists real weaknesses.
We compare published features, platforms and prices taken from each company's own website in November 2026. We do not give star ratings or scores, because a single number hides the fact that these apps do different jobs. Each review instead ends with a verdict on who should pick the app and who should skip it.
- Analysis & training
ChessHelper
Engine suggestions on Chess.com and Lichess at a strength you choose, from 800 to 3200 Elo. Desktop Chrome only.
- Playing online
Chess.com
The largest player pool, lessons, puzzles and Game Review. Free Basic account, then Gold, Platinum and Diamond.
- Free
Lichess
Every feature free and ad-free: Stockfish analysis, puzzles, studies, opening explorer. Few structured lessons.
- Openings
Chessable
Spaced-repetition courses that keep opening lines in memory. Most strong courses cost extra.
- Kids
ChessKid
No chat between kids, no adult contact, guardian oversight. Free account and Gold membership.
- Explanations
DecodeChess
Stockfish analysis explained in plain language. Free daily Decode; Unlimited $8.25/mo or $84/yr.
What every review covers
Each review follows the same order so you can compare apps side by side. The facts box at the top lists platforms, the free plan and paid plan names. The body explains who the app suits and who it does not, and the weaknesses section is never shorter than a paragraph. Where a company does not publish a price clearly, we name the plan and leave the number out.
Apps we cover without a full review
Chess Tempo, our pick for tactics drills, appears on the main ranking with a short summary. We plan a full review once we can confirm its current membership details on its own site.