Best Chess Apps in 2026
A guide to the top chess apps available today, with honest assessments of what each does best.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: When someone asks me "what is the best chess app?" I always ask them back: "What do you want to do?" Play games? Learn the basics? Solve puzzles? Improve with guidance? The answer changes depending on the goal.
Overview
The chess app landscape in 2026 offers more options than ever before. Whether you want to play blitz at midnight, solve puzzles on your commute, or study openings with a coach, there is an app designed for exactly that.
This guide covers the most worthwhile chess apps available today. Rather than ranking them in a strict order, we will explain what each does best so you can choose the right tools for your goals. Most serious improvers end up using two or three apps in combination.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Chess.com | Lichess | Old School Chess | Chess Tempo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Play | Excellent | Excellent | Learning-focused | Limited |
| Puzzles | Extensive (premium) | Unlimited free | Curated | Specialized |
| Coaching | Lessons library | Community studies | Personal coaching | Self-study |
| Analysis | Premium feature | Free Stockfish | Coach-guided | Puzzle-focused |
| Price | Freemium | Free | Free to start | Freemium |
| Best Feature | Community size | Everything free | Personal coaching | Puzzle quality |
Detailed Review
Chess.com remains the default choice for most players, and for good reason. The app is polished, the community is enormous, and the content library is unmatched in volume. If you only download one chess app, this is a safe choice.
Lichess deserves special recognition for what it achieves at zero cost. The mobile app is clean and responsive, the analysis tools rival paid alternatives, and the entire project is a testament to what open-source development can accomplish.
Old School Chess takes a fundamentally different approach by centering the experience around coaching. Rather than handing you a library, it provides a guide. Professor Archer adapts to your level, explains concepts when they are relevant, and provides the encouragement that many adult learners need.
Chess Tempo is the specialist's choice for tactical training. Its puzzle database is meticulously rated, so you always get problems at the right difficulty. The endgame training is particularly strong.
Who Should Use What?
If you are brand new to chess, start with one platform for playing (Chess.com or Lichess) and consider Old School Chess for learning. Do not overwhelm yourself with five apps on day one.
If you are an improving player around 1000–1500 rating, adding Chess Tempo for tactical training can be very effective alongside your main platform.
If you are an adult returning to chess after years away, Old School Chess's coaching approach may help you rebuild your understanding faster than a self-service content library.
Remember: the best app is the one you actually use consistently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for a chess app to improve?
No. Lichess is completely free and provides excellent tools for improvement. Free tiers on other platforms also offer enough to get started. Paid subscriptions add convenience and extra features but are not required.
Which app has the best puzzles?
Chess Tempo is widely considered the gold standard for puzzle quality and difficulty calibration. Lichess offers unlimited free puzzles with good quality. Chess.com has an excellent puzzle set but limits free users.
Can I improve just by playing games?
Playing games alone is not enough. You also need to review your games, study tactics, and learn from your mistakes. A combination of playing and studying is the most effective approach.
Professor Archer says: Do not try to use every app at once. Pick one for playing and one for learning. Master those two before adding anything else. Simplicity in your training routine is an underrated virtue.
Quick Quiz
What is the most effective approach to using chess apps for improvement?
- Download every available chess app and use them all daily - Using too many apps at once leads to scattered practice. Focus on one or two that serve your specific goals.
- Only play games and never study - Playing without studying leads to repeating the same mistakes. Improvement requires a balance of play and study.
- Use a combination of apps — one for play and one for learning (Correct) - Correct. Most effective improvers use one app for playing games and another for focused study or coaching. This gives you the best of both worlds.
- Only study and never play games - Study without practice does not stick. You need to play games to apply what you learn and identify areas that need more work.