Lichess vs Chess.com: Which is Right For You?

There's one big decision new online chess players need to make. Lichess and Chess.com are similar in offering online chess to millions of players, as well as a host of other related games, training exercises, and analysis tools. However, the platforms have plenty of differences, and each offers a unique playing experience,

This guide will make sure you know precisely what you get from each platform. Before deciding one way or another, you can understand which option is better for you.

Brief History of the Rivals

Before looking at exactly what the platforms offer, here’s a brief history of Chess.com and Lichess. 

Chess.com

In 2005, two entrepreneurs and chess enthusiasts purchased the Chess.com domain and created an online chess server. They relaunched in 2007 with a social media campaign, and the platform began to grow. This continued throughout the 2010s as Chess.com added new features, including analysis tools, variants, and learning resources. Additionally, they acquired chess engines and created new platforms such as ChessKid.

During the 2020 chess boom, the app and online platform soared. The infrastructure grew to handle more than 250 million registered accounts. Today, Chess.com is the largest chess platform in the world. It hosts a massive community and a huge variety of ways to engage with the game, from ChessTV to Puzzle Rush.

Lichess

Lichess was launched in 2010 by a French programmer as an open-source chess platform. Essentially, this means that anyone can read the source code and offer contributions. The platform, and the app launched in 2015, grew more modestly than Chess.com. As a non-profit organization, it has a less visible presence, and its traffic is organic. Nevertheless, its pared-down and completely free platform has become incredibly popular.

Today, it is able to host 5 million games a day, offers the latest version of the Stockfish chess engine for free, and stores a massive bank of games, openings, and puzzles. 

Lichess vs Chess.com: What do the Two Platforms Offer?

The following are key ways in which Chess.com and Lichess differ. The direct comparison will give you a clear idea of the best platform for you.

Pricing

Key point: Chess.com has many free features but also offers paid subscription tiers, including silver, gold, and diamond memberships. Lichess is completely free. 

As an open-source, non-profit organization, Lichess has no subscription tiers and no advertisements. Everything on the site is available to anyone with an account. This includes all kinds of online play, a massive database of games and puzzles, lessons, and tournaments. Chess clubs hosting their tournaments on Lichess may charge a fee, but this takes place independently.

Chess.com operates on a "freemium" model. You can access many of the website and app features without a subscription. This includes unlimited online games, different time controls, self-analysis, game databases, ChessTV, tournaments, and more. However, the website does feature various types of advertisements. 

Chess.com Limitations for Free Members

Many features are limited or not available for free members. These are a few important examples: 

1. One tailored game review function is available per day. This categorizes moves (blunders, best moves, etc.), gives recommendations, creates a game accuracy score, and offers various other useful self-analysis functions with the help of a digital “coach.”
3. Puzzle access is limited on Chess.com, with free members allowed 3 rated puzzles, 1 Puzzle Rush, and 1 Puzzle Battle a day. Additionally, a puzzle of the day is available without a subscription. 
5. Free members have a profile page showing key statistics like wins, losses, and draws. Paying members can access more statistical analysis; for example, seeing performance with certain openings.

The main takeaway is that if you want full access to all features for free, Lichess is the choice for you. If you are happy with what the free version of Chess.com offers or interested in a paid subscription, then that may be the better option.

Analysis Boards and Engines

Key point: Lichess offers advanced review and analysis functions and has extensive databases, but they are somewhat less structured/user-friendly. Chess.com provides most of the same functions and makes them easier to access and use, but has less powerful analysis tools.

Both platforms have similar analysis boards with options to upload PGN files, edit positions, and explore variations. Chess.com analysis functions are mostly powered by the Stockfish engine, and some by Komodo, but its engine depth is capped for free members. On Lichess, any member can use the full Stockfish analysis tools for deeper analysis. For a beginner, this may not make too much difference, but for a serious chess player, engine depth can be crucial for training. 

Chess.com has engine-powered learning tools with clear interfaces, narrative commentary, and easy-to-follow explanations, like the post-game review. In this regard, it may be better for learning as a beginner. For intermediate to advanced players, the user-friendly quality may be superseded by the greater engine strength on Lichess. 

Related: Which Chess Engine is Best?

Practice and Training

Key point: Lichess has a larger database of free puzzles, but Chess.com has a bigger variety of learning and training options. 

Both platforms offer a wide variety of ways to study and practice chess beyond just playing the game. There are plenty of differences in the amount you can access and the design and usability of the resources. 

Lichess offers unlimited free puzzles from a massive database. This is divided into different categories like motifs and endgame tactics. They also offer a variety of free puzzle games, in which you can play against the clock or other players. Additionally, Lichess offers lots of training features, including an opening explorer, chess basics lessons, and coordinates practice. Chess.com also offers free video lessons and training features. It has more variety in its computer opponents, including multiple personalities and playing styles. However, free members have in complete access to features like the opening explorer.

Overall, both have pretty extensive training resources. Chess.com’s are somewhat more polished and easy to use, while Lichess’s are universally available for all members. 

Community and Fairplay

Key point: Chess.com has a larger community. Lichess fairplay software is largely open source, while Chess.com’s is not publicly available. 

Simply, Chess.com is the larger app, so it has a greater player pool. Not only that, but it has active community forums, online clubs, and unique tournaments. That said, you’ll never have to wait for an opponent on Lichess in most time controls. The platform is also community-minded with blogs, messaging, and live streams. 

 

As far as anti-cheating systems go, both are very advanced. Chess.com keeps how its automatic cheating detection works secret, while most of Lichess’s code is available to view. In terms of the user experience, both offer options to report potential cheaters and abuse or rudeness in the chat. 

Rankings and Ratings 

Key point: The platforms use a slightly different system for ranking and matching players. The rankings on Lichess are inflated compared to Chess.com. 

Both platforms use an updated version of the ELO rating system. Lichess uses the Glicko-2 rating system, and Chess.com uses the earlier Glicko system. The main difference is that Glicko-2 accounts for volatility in a player's performance, rewarding consistently strong results.

The ratings on Lichess are also inflated compared to Chess.com. This basically means that a player of the same level would be rated up to several hundred points higher on Lichess. This imbalance tends to disappear at higher rating ranges (upwards of 2200). In a FIDE rating comparison, both platforms are slightly inflated, but Chess.com is closer. 

Mobile App

Key point: Lichess keeps more features in its mobile app, but for simple play, Chess.com is more navigable and user-friendly.  

Both apps offer a wide range of features for play and training on your phone. You do lose some features on the Chess.com app, including the full analysis board and the ability to make multiple premoves. However, it keeps its post-game review feature and most of its game and training resources. 

Lichess has a slightly different lobby interface, but the mobile app is designed to mirror the website more completely. This includes a fully functional analysis board, opening explorer, and the full Stockfish engine power. Overall, if you are planning to do serious training on the mobile app, it may be the better choice.

Making Your Pick

If you’re still not sure which you prefer, give both platforms a try. There’s no need to dive straight into a Chess.com subscription. Use the free version and see how you get on. For Lichess, take your time looking through the website; not everything is immediately visible. 

Otherwise, there’s no reason you have to stick solely to one app. If you like, you can play on Chess.com and train on Lichess. The trick is to find a balance that works for you.