Chess.com vs Lichess — Which Is Better in 2026?
An honest comparison of the two biggest chess platforms, covering features, pricing, and who each one serves best.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: My students often ask me which one to pick, and I tell them: this is not a rivalry. Both platforms have done tremendous things for chess. The real question is what kind of experience you want day to day.
Overview
Chess.com and Lichess are the two dominant platforms in online chess, and between them they serve tens of millions of players worldwide. Chess.com launched in 2007 and has grown into a commercial juggernaut with celebrity streamers, premium subscriptions, and a massive content library. Lichess, founded in 2010 by a single developer, took the opposite approach: everything is free, everything is open-source, and the project runs on donations.
Both platforms let you play rapid, blitz, and bullet games against human opponents. Both offer puzzles, analysis boards, and tournament features. The differences lie in philosophy, pricing, and the overall experience. This comparison will help you understand those differences so you can choose wisely — or simply use both.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Chess.com | Lichess |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free tier + paid plans ($5.99–$13.99/mo) | Completely free |
| Player Base | 150M+ accounts | 10M+ accounts |
| Puzzles | Limited free, unlimited with premium | Unlimited free |
| Game Analysis | Limited free, full with premium | Full Stockfish analysis free |
| Lessons | Extensive structured library (premium) | Community studies, less structured |
| Mobile App | Excellent, feature-rich | Solid, clean design |
| Ads | Ads on free tier | No ads ever |
| Open Source | No | Yes |
Detailed Review
Chess.com shines in content production. The platform regularly publishes video lessons from titled players, curated opening guides, and news coverage of major tournaments. If you want a one-stop shop where you can watch a grandmaster explain a concept and then immediately practice it, Chess.com has built that pipeline well. The premium subscription unlocks unlimited puzzles, full game review, and access to the full lesson library.
Lichess excels in transparency and generosity. Every feature that exists on Lichess is available to every user. The analysis board uses Stockfish at full strength, the puzzle database is vast, and the studies feature lets anyone create and share interactive lessons. For players who are self-directed and comfortable learning without a guided curriculum, Lichess offers everything you need at no cost.
Neither platform provides personalized coaching in the way a human teacher would. They both offer tools, but the student must drive their own learning. This is where platforms focused specifically on guided instruction can fill a gap.
Who Should Use What?
Choose Chess.com if you want the largest possible pool of opponents, a polished app experience, and you are willing to invest in a subscription for structured lessons and unlimited features. It is particularly good if you enjoy community events, streamer content, and a social chess experience.
Choose Lichess if you prefer a clean, ad-free interface, want full analysis tools without paying a cent, and appreciate the open-source model. It is excellent for self-motivated learners who know what they want to study and do not need hand-holding.
Many players maintain accounts on both platforms. There is no rule that says you must pick one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Chess.com ratings and Lichess ratings the same?
No. Lichess ratings tend to run higher than Chess.com ratings by roughly 200–300 points at most levels. This is due to different rating systems (Glicko-2 on both, but with different parameters and starting points). Neither is more "accurate" — they are just different scales.
Can I use both platforms at the same time?
Absolutely. Many players use Lichess for analysis and casual games and Chess.com for tournaments and lessons. There is no conflict in maintaining accounts on both.
Which platform is better for beginners?
Chess.com offers a more guided onboarding experience, which some beginners prefer. Lichess is simpler and has no paywalls, which appeals to others. Try both and see which feels more comfortable for you.
Is Lichess really completely free?
Yes. Lichess has no premium tier, no ads, and no paywalled features. It is funded entirely by voluntary donations from its community.
Professor Archer says: Here is what I have noticed over the years: the platform matters less than the habits you build on it. Consistent practice, thoughtful review, and a willingness to learn from your losses — those things work anywhere.
Quick Quiz
What is a key difference between Chess.com and Lichess?
- Lichess has a larger player base than Chess.com - Chess.com has the larger player base with over 150 million accounts compared to Lichess's 10 million-plus.
- Chess.com offers all features for free - Chess.com has a free tier, but many features like unlimited puzzles and full analysis require a paid subscription.
- Lichess is completely free with no premium tier (Correct) - Correct. Lichess offers every feature to every user at no cost and is funded by donations. This is one of its defining characteristics.
- Only Chess.com offers online play against humans - Both platforms support online play against human opponents across multiple time controls.