Review · Learning
Chess.com review
The largest online chess community, with free play, lessons, puzzles and bots, plus Premium plans that remove limits on game review, puzzles and lessons.
By the HearSmart research desk · Updated November 12, 2026
- Performance (40%)
- 9.3
- Ease of use (25%)
- 9.0
- Value (35%)
- 8.6
Chess.com ranks first because it covers every step a new player needs inside one account. You can play people or bots at any level and start with the Learn To Play course, a 12-lesson introduction from the Chess.com team. Its lesson library then runs from beginner material to grandmaster courses on openings, strategy, tactics and endgames. Premium is where improvement speeds up: the membership page lists unlimited Game Review that shows your best moves and accuracy, more than 500,000 puzzles, thousands of lessons, a Play Coach mode with personalized advice, and no ads. Chess.com says it hosts more than ten million games every day, so opponents near your rating are easy to find. The downside is cost clarity. Chess.com sets prices by country, and the membership page we fetched did not show a USD price, so the price here is marked pending. Players who never want to pay should start with Lichess.
Who it is for
beginners who want lessons, puzzles and opponents in one app
Price
See vendor pricing (USD check pending).
US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.
Key features
- Free play against people and against bots with a range of skill levels and styles
- Learn To Play course of 12 lessons for complete beginners
- Premium adds unlimited Game Review with accuracy scores and better moves
- Premium puzzle library of over 500,000 puzzles and thousands of lessons
- Play Coach mode gives personalized advice while you practice
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strength: Chess.com says it has 250+ million players, so a game is always available
- Strength: One account covers play, lessons, puzzles and game review
- Strength: Apps for iOS and Android sync with the website
- Weakness: Unlimited Game Review, puzzles and lessons need a Premium plan
- Weakness: Premium prices vary by country, and no USD price was shown to us
- Weakness: Free accounts see ads; removing them needs Premium
Key facts
- Players: 250+ million (Chess.com)
- Games per day: More than ten million
- Puzzles: Over 500,000 with Premium
- Free plan: Yes, free online games
- Apps: Web, iOS, Android
Where it ranks
Chess.com is No. 1 in our Best Chess Learning Apps verdict.
Alternatives we scored
Visit chess.com · Questions or corrections: editorial@hearsmart.org