Lichess vs Chess.com — Which One Should You Choose?

Lichess vs Chess.com — Which One Should You Choose?

Online chess has never been bigger, and two platforms dominate the scene: Lichess and Chess.com. Both are incredible, but they serve slightly different vibes. Let’s break it down.

1. Price & Accessibility

Lichess: 100% free, forever. No ads, no paywalls—everything from puzzles to game analysis is open to everyone.

Chess.com: Free to start, but premium membership unlocks unlimited puzzles, lessons, and deeper analysis. Ads are shown for free users.

2. Interface & Design

Lichess: Minimalist and clean. Great for speed and focus, but less “flashy.”

Chess.com: Modern, colorful, and packed with features, from streamer integration to animated pieces.

3. Features & Tools

Lichess: Advanced analysis, opening explorer, unlimited puzzles, and variants like Crazyhouse & Atomic—all free.

Chess.com: Rich learning content, bot personalities, Puzzle Rush, and large tournament systems. Also offers variants, but not as many as Lichess.

4. Community & Competition

Lichess: Popular among serious learners and speed chess lovers. The rating pool is generally smaller but extremely competitive.

Chess.com: Home to many top players, streamers, and huge events like the Chess.com Global Championship.

5. Mobile Experience

Lichess: Lightweight, fast, and perfect for quick games.

Chess.com: Feature-rich, with lessons, articles, and more interactive content.

Verdict?

If you want pure chess, zero distractions, and everything free—go Lichess.

If you want a vibrant community, premium lessons, and top-level events—go Chess.com.

The best part? You don’t have to choose. Many players use both—Lichess for training, Chess.com for tournaments and community.