Best Lichess Alternatives in 2026
The top Lichess alternatives are Chess.com, ChessKid and Chess Tempo: 15 chess learning apps our editors would look at instead of Lichess, in our ranking order.
Lichess: A free, broad chess learning hub with puzzles, analysis, studies, and opening tools. Where it falls short: volunteer maintenance makes support community- and documentation-led.
Switching from Lichess? For most chess learning apps buyers the best Lichess alternative is Chess.com, built for learners wanting an all-in-one chess platform.
Why People Look for a Lichess Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallChess.com9.3
Learners wanting an all-in-one chess platform
Visit Chess.com - Best free optionChess.com9.3
Has a free plan
Visit Chess.com
All 15 Lichess Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forLearners wanting an all-in-one chess platform
- Better than Lichess:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 9.1
A broad chess learning platform that combines lessons, puzzles, play and game analysis.
- Game analysis
- Mobile apps
- Opening training
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Chess.com -
Best forChildren, families, and chess teachers
A child-focused chess platform that combines lessons, puzzles, play, and teacher tools.
- Game analysis
- Mobile apps
- Opening training
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit ChessKid -
Best forPlayers seeking deep training on a budget
A broad chess-training toolkit with free access and paid tiers for deeper study.
- Game analysis
- Mobile apps
- Opening training
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Chess Tempo -
Best forCourse learners who value spaced repetition
A broad chess-learning platform centered on scheduled practice and interactive courses.
- Game analysis
- Mobile apps
- Opening training
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Chessable -
Best forPlayers who want training from their own games
A game-linked chess trainer with adaptive practice, reports, and focused drills.
- Game analysis
- Mobile apps
- Opening training
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Aimchess -
Best forTactics learners reviewing their own games
Motif lessons and missed-tactic puzzles focus training on your own play.
- Game analysis
- Mobile apps
- Structured lessons
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit chesstactics -
Best forPuzzle-focused learners wanting a free course
A free, puzzle-rich chess course with broad tactic coverage and browser-only access.
- Game analysis
- Opening training
- Structured lessons
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Reflex Chess -
Best forLearners who want a coached playing experience
A guided chess-learning app with move-by-move coaching, lessons, and mistake practice.
- Game analysis
- Mobile apps
- Opening training
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Dr. Wolf -
Best forPlayers wanting adaptive AI games and feedback
Adaptive AI games turn mistakes into feedback, puzzles and repeatable practice.
- Game analysis
- Mobile apps
- Opening training
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Noctie.ai -
Best forLearners seeking a compact interactive curriculum
A focused web curriculum combining adaptive practice, bot games, and Stockfish review.
- Game analysis
- Opening training
- Structured lessons
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Knight School -
Best forPlayers focused on endgame improvement
Focused endgame practice with lessons, repeat drills, and game scans.
- Game analysis
- Mobile apps
- Structured lessons
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Chess Endings -
Best forLearners wanting structured multi-platform courses
A paid, course-led chess curriculum spanning tactics, openings, strategy and endgames.
- Mobile apps
- Opening training
- Structured lessons
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Chess King -
Best forVideo-course learners following rating-based paths
A lifetime, course-led chess curriculum combining rating paths, practice and an AI tutor.
- Mobile apps
- Opening training
- Structured lessons
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit ChessForce -
Best forLearners who prefer adaptive lessons and bots
A broad chess curriculum with adaptive bots, puzzles, and synchronized web and mobile access.
- Game analysis
- Mobile apps
- Opening training
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Chessity -
Best forPuzzle solvers who want structured review
A structured chess trainer for puzzle solvers who want measurable review and practice.
- Game analysis
- Mobile apps
- Opening training
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Disco Chess
Lichess Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Lichess?
Chess.com: #1 in our Chess Learning Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A broad chess learning platform that combines lessons, puzzles, play and game analysis.
Is there a free alternative to Lichess?
Yes. Chess.com, ChessKid, Chess Tempo, Chessable and Aimchess have a free plan or a free tier (11 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Lichess alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from Lichess?
Export your data from Lichess (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Lichess.
How to Switch from Lichess
- Export your data from Lichess (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Lichess.
Lichess vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Structured lessons | Tactics and puzzles | Game analysis | Mobile apps | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Lichess | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 |
| 1 | Chess.com | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 2 | ChessKid | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 3 | Chess Tempo | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 4 | Chessable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 5 | Aimchess | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 6 | chesstactics | Yes | €59 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.6 |
| 7 | Reflex Chess | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.5 | |
| 8 | Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.4 | |
| 9 | Noctie.ai | No | €8/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.3 |
| 10 | Knight School | Yes | $79/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.2 | |
| 11 | Chess Endings | Yes | €39 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.1 |
| 12 | Chess King Learn | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.0 | ||
| 13 | ChessForce | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.9 | |||
| 14 | Chessity | No | €7.75/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.8 |
| 15 | Disco Chess | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.7 |
Head-to-Head
- Lichess vs Chess.com
- Lichess vs ChessKid
- Lichess vs Chess Tempo
- Lichess vs Chessable
- Lichess vs Aimchess
- Lichess vs chesstactics
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update