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Head-to-head · Chess Learning Apps

Lichess vs Reflex Chess

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Lichess #3 in Chess Learning Apps 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Lichess
Reflex Chess #8 in Chess Learning Apps 7.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Reflex Chess

Lichess leads on 1 check, Reflex Chess on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreLichess · 8.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresLichess · 5 of 5

Lichess scores higher on our rubric for chess learning apps: 8.2 against 7.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Lichess offers mobile apps; Reflex Chess doesn't publish it.

Lichess is the better fit for learners who want broad, free chess training. Reflex Chess is the better fit for puzzle-focused learners wanting a free course.

  • Lichess fits best

    Learners who want broad, free chess training

  • Reflex Chess fits best

    Puzzle-focused learners wanting a free course

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Lichess 8.2/10 Visit ↗ Reflex Chess 7.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.2 7.2
Ranking #3 in Chess Learning Apps #8 in Chess Learning Apps
Best for Learners who want broad, free chess training Puzzle-focused learners wanting a free course
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Built for Solo, Small business Solo
Features Lichess 5/5 · Reflex Chess 4/5
Structured lessons ✓ ✓
Tactics and puzzles ✓ ✓
Game analysis ✓ ✓
Mobile apps ✓ (best) Not published
Opening training ✓ ✓
Specs
Training modes Chess basics, practice exercises, puzzles, puzzle themes, puzzle streak, puzzle storm, puzzle racer, studies, opening explorer structured skill lessons, timed puzzle modes, puzzle duels, daily puzzle
Our review
Pros
  • All features are free across web and mobile apps
  • Combines puzzles, basics, studies, openings, and Stockfish analysis
  • Open-source code supports self-hosting and API access
  • 10,440 puzzles organized across 87 structured skills
  • 16 timed modes plus puzzle duels, rated games, and a leaderboard
  • Game review identifies tactics to practise, with opening-position training
Cons
  • Volunteer maintenance makes support community- and documentation-led
  • The many training modes may feel less focused than a lesson-only app
  • Self-hosting flexibility is most useful for technically comfortable users
  • Browser-only access limits it to the web platform
  • Offline use begins only after the site has loaded
  • Its tactics focus may not suit learners seeking broader chess study
Our verdict

Lichess is a free, open-source chess server for people who want to play, study, and improve. It suits solo learners and small groups seeking a broad training environment alongside online games, tournaments, and broadcasts. Access spans the…

Read the review →

Reflex Chess is a free tactics trainer for beginners and improving chess players. Its course organizes 10,440 puzzles into 87 skills covering tactics, checkmate, endgames, attacks, and opening positions. Each lesson explains the blunder…

Read the review →
  1. LichessChess Learning Apps 8.2Free plan
  2. Reflex ChessChess Learning Apps 7.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Lichess — where it wins

    • All features are free across web and mobile apps
    • Combines puzzles, basics, studies, openings, and Stockfish analysis
    • Open-source code supports self-hosting and API access

    Where it doesn't

    • Volunteer maintenance makes support community- and documentation-led
    • The many training modes may feel less focused than a lesson-only app
    • Self-hosting flexibility is most useful for technically comfortable users

  • Reflex Chess — where it wins

    • 10,440 puzzles organized across 87 structured skills
    • 16 timed modes plus puzzle duels, rated games, and a leaderboard
    • Game review identifies tactics to practise, with opening-position training

    Where it doesn't

    • Browser-only access limits it to the web platform
    • Offline use begins only after the site has loaded
    • Its tactics focus may not suit learners seeking broader chess study

More comparisons

All chess learning apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update