Lichess is the better app overall, scoring 8.9 to 8.5. Lichess wins on 2 of the 5 scores, Chess.com on 3.
Chess players who want serious tools without ads or subscriptions
Players at any level who want games, lessons and coaching in one place
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Lichess | Chess.com |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Card & Board Games | Card & Board Games |
| Category rank | #3 of 8 | #5 of 8 |
| Developer | Lichess.org | Chess.com |
| Pricing | Free | Free + paid plans |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is Lichess better than Chess.com?
Lichess is the better app overall, scoring 8.9 to 8.5. Lichess wins on 2 of the 5 scores, Chess.com on 3.
Which is cheaper, Lichess or Chess.com?
Lichess: Completely free; funded by donations, with no ads or paid features. Chess.com: Free to play unlimited games; Gold, Platinum and Diamond memberships unlock more. On value for money, Lichess scores higher.
Do Lichess and Chess.com work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on iPhone & iPad, Android, Web.
Which is more private, Lichess or Chess.com?
Lichess scores higher on privacy (9.2/10). App Store label: contact info and identifiers may be linked to you; user content, search history and diagnostics are collected but not linked. No tracking is listed.
Strengths and weaknesses
Lichess
- Everything is free, with no ads or premium tier
- Open source and funded by donations
- Strong analysis and puzzles that work offline
- Fewer structured lessons than paid rivals
- The interface feels plainer than Chess.com's
Lichess gives you everything most chess apps charge for, and asks for nothing. Play live or correspondence games, join arena tournaments, grind themed puzzles or Puzzle Storm, and analyze games with the latest Stockfish, all without ads or a paywall. Offline bots now include Maia, which plays more like a human. The app is younger than Chess.com's and lighter on lessons, but it improves every few weeks.
Full Lichess review
Chess.com
- A huge player pool means quick matches at any level
- Bots, puzzles and lessons for every skill level
- Offline play against the computer
- Unlimited Game Review and lessons need a membership
- Ads for free users, plus tracking on the App Store label
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.
Full Chess.com review
