Chess.com vs Lichess: Which One Wins Out?

Chess.com vs Lichess: Which One Wins Out?

As a complete newb or experienced chess grinder, you've most likely encountered the age-old query: Chess.com or Lichess? The two giants in the world of online chess both have their fans and their uniqueness. So what's better between them?

1. Here's what we'll explore:
2. What each websites has to offer,
3. Their flagship features, and
4. Finally, why I slightly favor one over the other.

Lichess.org – The Strength of Open Source

Lichess is an entirely free, open-source platform for chess that has garnered a dedicated following for very good reasons. Here are some of its greatest strengths:

✅ 100% Free – No Strings Attached
All the things on Lichess are free. Lessons, puzzles, game analysis, tournaments—you name it. No paywalls, no ads, no premium memberships.

✅ Sleek, Minimalist Design
It's clean, fast, and efficient. The interface is super responsive and distraction-free.

✅ Perfect for Hardcore Tactics Training
Lichess' puzzle system is dynamic, i.e., it adapts to your rating. It's fast, aggressive, and best suited for those interested in drilling tactical motifs rapidly.

✅ Customization Galore
From colors of the board and shape of the pieces to formats of time and training tools—Lichess can be highly customized.

✅ Special Game Modes
Lichess glows with its assortment of niche modes such as Atomic, Horde, Crazyhouse, and others. It's a playground for variant chess enthusiasts.

✅ Open Source & Community-Driven
The fact that it's open-source and maintained by volunteers makes Lichess feel community-centric. There's a real sense of accessibility and passion behind it.

Chess.com – The King of Polish & Features

Chess.com is the world's leading chess site, and that's no coincidence. Here's why it's wearing the crown:

✅ World-Class Lessons and Courses
Their library of lessons is rich and organized, featuring material from grandmasters and titled players. It's a treasure trove for better players.

✅ Refined UI and User Experience
All from the website design to the mobile app is premium and well-conceived. Sleek transitions, sharp board animations, and an easy-to-navigate layout.

✅ Puzzle Rush & Puzzle Battle
These hook modes are totally crazy and super effective at honing your tactical eye. Racing against the clock—or other players—brings a thrilling twist.

✅ Player Base & Events
From recreational players to super GMs, everybody plays on Chess.com. You can even see the world's top chess players play live. And the site hosts massive events such as the Chess.com Global Championship and Titled Tuesday.

✅ Strong Analysis Tools
Their analysis board features input from several engines, in-depth breakdowns of your mistakes, and training suggestions specifically for your games.

✅ Engaging Content Creation
Regular videos, streams, and articles make the platform feel lively and buzzing with new content.

So… Chess.com or Lichess?

Both sites are amazing in their own way. If you want a no-frills, community-oriented, completely free experience, Lichess is the best. It's speedy, customizable, and extremely generous with its features.

But I personally like Chess.com—and here's why:

Why I Prefer Chess.com

As a person who's really committed to getting better and remaining active, Chess.com simply feels like home. The puzzle rush mode is something I return to every day. It's not only enjoyable—it's now a part of my training.

I also appreciate the lesson system, which is essentially having a coach in your pocket. 

And in all seriousness? The aesthetics count. The animations, the fluidity of the mobile app, and how refined everything is—it enhances the experience and encourages me to continue playig.

Sure, it's not entirely free. But I view it as an investment in my chess experience. With the quality of tools, community activities, and content, I feel like I'm receiving serious value.

Final Verdict

Lichess is a fantastic, accessible, and free platform—ideal for players on a budget or who enjoy simplicity and customization.

Chess.com is full-featured, interactive, and best for players looking for a refined experience and access to organized improvement tools.

Whatever you pick, you're playing the world's greatest game—and that's really what it's all about. ♟️

Also guys this was my first ever blog, it took me ages to write. I hope you enjoyed it!