Lichess VS Chess.com VS Chess24: Which Online Chess Platform Is the Best?

In recent years, the world of chess has experienced a dynamic transformation, shifting from traditional board play to captivating online platforms that unite enthusiasts from every corner of the globe. 

With the rapid expansion of online chess, numerous platforms have emerged. Among the leading contenders, Lichess, Chess.com, and Chess24 have emerged as the go-to choices for players. So, which one of these platforms is the best?

Here’s a quick table showcasing the differences between Lichess VS Chess.com VS Chess24:

	Lichess	Chess.com	Chess24
Establishing Date	2010	2007	2014
Training Features	Comprehensive tutorials, puzzles, and analysis board	Interactive lessons, video tutorials, puzzles, and computer analysis	Video lessons, interactive courses, and puzzles
Social Features	Active community, forums, chat	Clubs, forums, chat, team matches	Clubs, forums, chat
Tournaments and Events	Regular tournaments, thematic events	Diverse range of tournaments and events	Organizes its own tournaments and events
Live Broadcasting	Limited, primarily user-generated broadcasts	Extensive coverage, professional commentary	High-quality live broadcasts, professional commentary
Rating System	Performance-based rating system (Glicko-2)	Elo rating system	Elo rating system
Membership	Completely free membership	Free and paid membership options	Free and paid membership options
Mobile App	Offers a mobile app for iOS and Android	Offers a mobile app for iOS and Android	Offers a mobile app for iOS and Android

Keep reading to learn more about what makes a good online chess platform and which one of the current popular chess platforms is truly the best.

The Rise of Online Chess Platforms

Over the past decade, online chess platforms have experienced a remarkable surge in popularity, revolutionizing the way chess is played and enjoyed. Several factors have contributed to this meteoric rise:

• Global Accessibility: Online chess platforms have transcended geographical barriers, connecting players from all corners of the world.
  • Regardless of location, players can engage in matches with opponents of varying skill levels, broadening their exposure to different playing styles and strategies.
• Convenience and Flexibility: Online platforms offer unparalleled convenience, allowing players to enjoy the game at any time and from any location.
  • With the ability to play on smartphones, tablets, or computers, chess enthusiasts can indulge their passion whenever the mood strikes, without the constraints of physical boards or opponents.
• Diverse Gaming Options: Online chess platforms provide a plethora of gaming options to cater to different player preferences.
  • Whether you seek casual games, rated tournaments, speed chess, or even chess variants, these platforms offer a vast array of choices to keep players engaged and excited.
• Learning and Improvement: One of the key attractions of online chess platforms is their provision of learning resources and training tools as many platforms offer tutorials, lessons, puzzles, and analysis features that allow players to hone their skills and improve their understanding of the game.
  • This accessibility to learning materials has made online platforms valuable educational tools for both beginners and experienced players alike.
• Community and Social Interaction: Online chess platforms foster vibrant communities where players can interact, learn from each other, and form friendships.
  • Features such as chat systems, forums, and team matches encourage collaboration, discussion, and healthy competition, creating a sense of camaraderie and belonging within the chess community.

What Makes A Good Online Chess Platform?

With numerous online chess platforms available, certain qualities distinguish the best platforms from the rest. Here are some key factors to consider when evaluating an online chess platform:

• User-Friendly Interface: A good platform should have an intuitive and user-friendly interface, allowing players to navigate effortlessly and focus on the game itself.
  • Clear and responsive controls, visually appealing designs, and customizable settings contribute to an enjoyable user experience.
• Robust Gameplay Features: The platform should offer a range of game types, including different time controls and chess variants, to cater to diverse player preferences.
  • It should also support multiplayer functionality, enabling players to challenge opponents of various skill levels and establish fair matchmaking systems.
• Learning Resources and Training Tools: The availability of comprehensive learning resources, including tutorials, puzzles, videos, and analysis features, is vital for players looking to improve their skills.
  • A good platform should offer a wealth of educational materials to cater to different learning styles and skill levels.
• Community Engagement: An active and engaged community adds depth and vibrancy to an online chess platform.
  • Features such as chat systems, forums, and the ability to form or join teams enhance the social aspect of chess, fostering interaction, mentorship, and collaboration.
• Fair Play and Anti-Cheating Measures: Maintaining fair play is crucial to the integrity of online chess platforms, so the platform should have strong anti-cheating measures in place, utilizing advanced algorithms and monitoring systems to detect and prevent cheating.
  • This ensures that players can compete on a level playing field and have confidence in the platform’s integrity.
• Accessibility and Compatibility: A good online chess platform should be easily accessible across multiple devices, including desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones.
  • Compatibility across different operating systems and web browsers allows players to enjoy the platform regardless of their chosen device.

By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision when selecting an online chess platform to ensure it aligns with their needs, preferences, and goals.

Lichess VS Chess.com VS Chess24: All You Need to Know

The current most popular online chess platforms are Lichess, Chess.com, and Chess24.

These platforms have established themselves as leaders in the online chess community due to their user-friendly interfaces, diverse game options, extensive learning resources, and active communities. 

However, each platform has its own unique strengths, features, and community dynamics, so let’s break down the differences between them to help you determine which one is the best.

Lichess

Lichess is a highly popular online chess platform that launched in 2010 and has gained a dedicated following among chess enthusiasts since then. 

It has millions of active users from around the world, attracting both casual players and serious chess enthusiasts. It’s also free to use and entirely open-source, meaning its code is available for anyone to view and contribute to its development. 

Features

Lichess offers a wide range of features to enhance the chess-playing experience:

• Game Modes: Players can engage in various game modes, including standard games, puzzles, and correspondence chess. Lichess also offers popular variants such as Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess) and King of the Hill.
• Training Tools: Lichess provides comprehensive training resources, including puzzles, studies, and practice games against AI opponents. Players can analyze their games using the built-in analysis board and learn from their mistakes.
• Tournaments: Lichess hosts regular tournaments of different time controls and formats, ranging from casual to highly competitive events. Players can participate in scheduled tournaments or create their own custom tournaments.
• Community: Lichess fosters a vibrant and supportive community. Players can chat with opponents, join teams, and participate in forums to discuss strategies, seek advice, and connect with like-minded chess players.
• Mobile App: Lichess offers a mobile application for iOS and Android devices, allowing users to play and engage with the platform on the go.

Membership Options

Lichess is completely free to use and does not require any paid membership to access its full range of features. The platform is supported by donations from its user community, which enables Lichess to remain ad-free and open to everyone.

Rating System

Lichess employs the Glicko-2 rating system, which is an improvement upon the ELO system, taking into account rating deviation and volatility to provide a more accurate representation of each player’s skill level. 

It also provides additional ratings for specific time controls, such as classical, rapid, and blitz.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Lichess is free to use and offers all its features without any paid membership requirements.	Limited video library and broadcasts, compared to other platforms.
Lichess provides a wealth of training materials, including puzzles, studies, and practice games, enabling players to improve their skills.	While Lichess has a large user base, the number of top-level players and Grandmasters may be relatively smaller compared to other platforms.
Lichess provides a mobile app allowing users to enjoy chess and access platform features on their smartphones and tablets.
Lichess probably the most accurate rating system out there, so your rating on Lichess will be the closest to your FIDE Elo rating.

Chess.com

Chess.com is one of the largest and most renowned online chess platforms. It was established in 2007 and boasts an extensive player base, with millions of registered users from around the world. 

The platform offers a comprehensive suite of features and resources, and ensures a vast pool of opponents at various skill levels, so players can find suitable matches.

However, recently, there have been discussions and concerns within the chess community regarding the direction of Chess.com. Some users have expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that the platform has been on a decline due to its acquisition of smaller chess platforms, which they believe is an attempt to eliminate competition. 

Another issue raised by some users is the perceived shift towards pushing players to obtain premium memberships, sometimes to the point where it feels like free users are being left behind. 

In any case, it is essential for online chess platforms to strike a balance between profitability and providing a quality experience for users.

It’s also essential to address user feedback and strive to provide the best possible experience for all players, regardless of their membership status.

Features

Chess.com offers a wide range of features designed to enhance the chess-playing experience:

• Game Modes: Chess.com provides various game modes, including live games, online tournaments, and correspondence chess.
  • Players can choose from different time controls and chess variants, catering to different playing preferences.
• Training Tools: The platform offers extensive training resources, including interactive lessons, video tutorials, and a vast collection of puzzles for players to improve their skills.
  • Chess.com also provides a computer analysis of games, enabling users to gain insights into their gameplay.
• Community and Social Interaction: Chess.com boasts a thriving community with millions of active users.
  • Players can join clubs, participate in forums, and engage in live chat with opponents. 
  • The platform also supports team matches, allowing users to collaborate and compete together.
• Tournaments and Events: Chess.com hosts numerous tournaments, including official events and user-created competitions.
  • Players can test their skills in rated tournaments or participate in thematic events based on specific openings or themes.
• Mobile App: Chess.com offers mobile applications for iOS and Android devices, allowing users to play and engage with the platform on the go.

Membership Options

Chess.com provides both free and premium membership options:

• Free Membership: The free membership grants users access to most of the basic features, including online play, puzzles, and limited training resources.
• Premium Membership: Chess.com offers 3 paid premium membership plans that give subscribers access to additional features such as full access to training materials, advanced analysis tools, unlimited puzzles, and ad-free browsing.
  • Premium membership also unlocks access to exclusive content and videos from renowned chess instructors.

Here are the features offered in each plan and the subscription prices per month/year:

Membership Level	Features	Price
Gold Membership	25 Puzzles Daily 3 Lessons Weekly  Game Analysis  Unlock all bots Ad-free experience	$2.42/mo ($29 Pre-paid Yearly)
Platinum Membership	Unlimited Puzzles 5 Lessons Weekly Game Analysis Unlock all bots Ad-free experience	$4.08/mo ($49 Pre-paid Yearly)
Diamond Membership	Unlimited Puzzles Unlimited Lessons Unlimited Video Lessons Library Game Analysis Unlock all bots Ad-free experience	$8.25/mo ($99 Pre-paid Yearly)

It’s worth noting that even though I, myself, am a Platinum Member on Chess.com and do find it to be worth the money, especially their puzzles library and coach (and saved analysis) features, I don’t think they should be pushing it hard on all users.

For some users like myself that are always striving to learn and improve, the premium subscriptions are worth it, but for most casual users, the free version should be more than enough, although the ads are indeed kind of annoying and distracting.

Chess.com Membership recommendation: If you are thinking of a Premium Chess.com membership, the Platinum Membership is the best value for money.

Rating System

Chess.com primarily uses the ELO rating system, which is a widely recognized and established rating system used in chess. It assigns numerical ratings to players based on their performance in games against other rated players. 

In addition, Chess.com maintains separate ratings for different time controls, including classical, rapid, and blitz.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Chess.com offers a wide range of features, including comprehensive training resources, tournaments, and a vibrant community.	Some advanced features and training resources are only available to premium members, limiting access to free users.
With millions of users, Chess.com provides a vast pool of opponents at different skill levels, ensuring players can find suitable matches.	While the platform is generally user-friendly, some users may find the interface overwhelming due to the abundance of features and options.
The platform provides extensive training materials, including lessons, videos, and puzzles, allowing players to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Chess.com offers a mobile app, which enables users to enjoy chess on their smartphones and tablets.
Chess.com has the best Fairplay and cheating detection systems out there.

Chess24

Chess24 is a popular online chess platform known for its high-quality live broadcasts of major chess events and tournaments. It was launched in 2014 and combines advanced features, educational resources, and interactive content to cater to the needs of its large and active player base.

Features

Chess24 offers a range of features designed to enhance the chess-playing experience:

• Live Broadcasts: Chess24 is renowned for its live coverage of top-level chess events.
  • Users can watch high-quality video broadcasts of tournaments, with commentary from renowned Grandmasters and chess experts.
• Training Resources: The platform provides a comprehensive collection of training materials, including video lessons, interactive courses, and puzzles.
  • Chess24’s educational content is designed to help players improve their skills and expand their understanding of chess strategies and concepts.
• Play and Learn: Chess24 offers online play against opponents of various skill levels, allowing players to test their abilities in real-time.
  • Users can also analyze their games using the integrated analysis board, enabling them to gain insights into their strengths and weaknesses.
• Tournaments and Events: Chess24 hosts its own tournaments, including online events with various time controls and formats.
  • Additionally, users can participate in team matches, thematic tournaments, and other community-driven competitions.
• Mobile App: Chess24 provides mobile applications for iOS and Android devices, allowing users to access the platform’s features and play chess on the go.

Membership Options

Chess24 offers both free and premium membership options:

• Free Membership: The free membership grants users access to basic features, including limited access to video content, puzzles, and the ability to play games against other users.
• Premium Membership: Chess24 offers two paid premium membership plans that give access to additional features, such as full access to video materials and advanced training resources.

Here are the prices for each plan:

Monthly Plan	Yearly Plan
$14.99/mo	$12.50/mo ($149.99 billed annually)

Rating System

Chess24 also employs the ELO rating system based on their performance in games against other rated players. In addition, the platform offers separate ratings for various time controls, such as classical, rapid, and blitz.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Chess24’s live coverage of top chess events is highly regarded, providing users with professional commentary and analysis.	Some of Chess24’s premium features and content are available only to paid subscribers, limiting the experience for free users.
The platform offers a wide range of training materials, including video lessons and interactive courses, allowing players to improve their skills and knowledge.	While Chess24 has a significant number of players, it may have a relatively smaller player base compared to other popular online chess platforms.
Chess24 hosts a variety of tournaments and community-driven events, offering opportunities for competitive play and engagement.
Chess24 provides a mobile app that allows users to enjoy chess and access platform features on their smartphones and tablets.

Other Online Chess Platforms to Check Out

In addition to Lichess, Chess.com, and Chess24, there are several other good online chess platforms available. Here are a few notable ones:

• ICC (Internet Chess Club): ICC is one of the oldest and most respected online chess platforms. It offers a wide range of features, including live games, tournaments, training videos, and an active community. It’s also famous for having some of the best chess players in the world that are not very active on social media, streaming platforms, or other online chess platforms.
• Playchess: Playchess is the official online platform of ChessBase. It provides access to a vast database of games, live broadcasts, training resources, and online play. Playchess is known for its high-quality chess content and professional analysis.
• ChessKid: ChessKid is a popular online platform specifically designed for young chess players. It offers a safe and interactive environment for kids to learn and play chess. ChessKid provides engaging lessons, puzzles, and various learning tools.
• LiChess4545: LiChess4545 is a unique online platform that focuses on team-based play. It organizes team-based tournaments with different time controls, allowing players to compete and collaborate with teammates.
• GameKnot: GameKnot is an online platform that allows players to play correspondence chess. It offers a turn-based gameplay format, allowing players to make moves at their convenience over an extended period.

These platforms provide different features, interfaces, and communities. It’s worth exploring them to find the one that aligns with your preferences, skill level, and specific needs for online chess play.

Conclusion: Which Online Chess Platform Is the Best for You?

Overall, determining the best online chess platform is subjective and depends on individual preferences and needs. However, considering the popular online chess platforms discussed, each platform has its strengths and target audience

• Lichess is the best for beginners. It offers a beginner-friendly interface, comprehensive training resources, and a supportive community, making it an excellent choice for those starting their chess journey. It provides the necessary tools to learn and improve without the need for a paid membership.
• Chess.com is better for advanced players that value a diverse community, competitive play, and access to premium features that can further enhance their chess skills.
• Chess24 emphasizes high-quality live broadcasts, advanced training materials, and engaging tournaments, making it ideal for advanced players looking to deepen their understanding of the game and participate in competitive events.

Ultimately, the best online chess platform depends on your specific preferences, skill level, and desired features. It is recommended to explore and try different platforms to find the one that aligns best with your needs and provides an enjoyable and enriching chess experience for you.

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