#5 in Card & Board Games

Chess.com review

Play, learn and review chess with millions online

  • Chess.com
  • Free + paid plans
  • iPhone & iPad, Android, Web

4.8 from 868.5K App Store ratings 100M+ Google Play downloads #7 in Games on the US App Store

8.5
Our score Excellent Updated October 2026

Does it deserve #5?

0

Is Chess.com worth it?

For most people, yes. Chess.com scores 8.5/10 and ranks #5 in Card & Board Games. It's best for players at any level who want games, lessons and coaching in one place. Skip it if you want every tool free with no ads or upsells. Price: Free to play unlimited games; Gold, Platinum and Diamond memberships unlock more.

The verdict

Chess.com is the biggest chess app for a reason. You can play unlimited games against people at any time control, take on more than 100 bots, solve puzzles and work through lessons, and recent updates keep adding fresh bots and coaching. Free play is generous, but the best tools, like unlimited Game Review, sit behind a membership, and free users see ads. It's the most complete place to get better at chess.

  • Unlimited online games
  • 100-plus bot opponents
  • 500,000-plus puzzles and Puzzle Rush
  • Lessons and Game Review coach
  • Daily correspondence chess
  • Apple Watch app
  • Works offline

Score breakdown

FeaturesHow much it does, and how well those features hold up in daily use.
9.5
DesignClarity, polish, accessibility and how quickly you get things done.
9.0
PerformanceSpeed, reliability, sync and how kind it is to your battery.
8.8
ValueWhat you get for what you pay, including how useful the free tier is.
7.6
PrivacyWhat it collects, who it shares with, encryption and the business model.
6.6

Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?

What's new

  1. Oct 2026Puzzle points for every correct move, and match rating estimates in Game Review
  2. Oct 2026Halloween Cryptid bots, revamped Game Review openings and a local club finder
  3. Sep 2026Mittens returns as a coach, and the Daily Puzzle gets a lives system

Privacy 6.6/10

App Store label: browsing history and usage data may be used to track you; contact info and identifiers may be linked to your identity.

What we like

  • A huge player pool means quick matches at any level
  • Bots, puzzles and lessons for every skill level
  • Offline play against the computer

What could be better

  • Unlimited Game Review and lessons need a membership
  • Ads for free users, plus tracking on the App Store label
Get it if you're

Players at any level who want games, lessons and coaching in one place

Skip it if

you want every tool free with no ads or upsells

Questions about Chess.com

Is Chess.com worth it in 2026?

For most people, yes. Chess.com scores 8.5/10 and ranks #5 in Card & Board Games. It's best for players at any level who want games, lessons and coaching in one place. Skip it if you want every tool free with no ads or upsells. Price: Free to play unlimited games; Gold, Platinum and Diamond memberships unlock more.

Is Chess.com free?

Yes, playing games online is free, with limited puzzles, lessons and Game Review. Gold, Platinum and Diamond memberships unlock unlimited use and remove ads.

Can you play Chess.com offline?

Yes. You can play against the computer and analyze your games offline.

Is Chess.com safe for kids?

It's rated 4+ on the App Store and Everyone on Google Play, but it includes chat. Chess.com also runs a separate kids' platform, ChessKid.

What are the best alternatives to Chess.com?

The closest alternatives are Lichess, Wingspan and Balatro. See all of them ranked on our Chess.com alternatives page.

Where does Chess.com rank?

Chess.com ranks #5 of 8 in our Card & Board Games ranking, with an overall score of 8.5 out of 10.

Sources · checked October 2026

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