Do you want to play chess in a tournament style? Then obviously you would require a chess clock, right? But what if you don’t have a physical chess clock! You might think about apps, but is there any chess clock app available?
Yes, there are many chess clock apps such as the ‘Chess Clock’ app by chess.com available for both android and IOS. One can just download the app on the smartphone and start playing chess instantly in a tournament style.
Ahead, of this article, I’m going to share with you in-depth information on the top 10 best free chess clock apps. So read this article till the end.
Here are the top 10 best chess clock apps:
Table of Contents
#1. Chess Clock By Chess.com
‘Chess Clock’ app by chess.com is the best and most popular chess clock app available both on android and IOS. With no ads and a simple user interface, this app offers all the features that give the feeling of having a real chess clock by your side.
This chess app is developed by Chess.com – one of the most popular chess playing and learning websites online. Here are the features of this app that make it the best of all.
Features:
- 1M+ downloads on Google Play Store
- Lightweight – only 824 KB size
- Trust of chess.com – one of the most popular chess websites
- Contains no ads
- Sound can be heard when you touch the button
- Many time controls are supported
- Also, new time controls can be added
This is one of the most popular and best chess clock apps available both on the Google play store and the Apple app store.
You can just download the app, set the timings, and start playing with your friends and family members.
Recommended Reading: Best Apps To Learn Chess
Scope For Improvement:
Updates are released less frequently so some users may experience bugs. There is no feature to change the theme of the clock or fonts. Also, there are no advanced features like seeing the stats of how the moves are made with respect to time.
And though you can download the app and start playing you might face some problems understanding its all features especially if you are a beginner. But don’t worry, here I am going to help you out.
How Do You Use The Chess Clock App? First of all, as soon as you download the app the default chess clock screen will open. You need to click on the setting icon in the center and from there you can choose the type of time control system you want to play with.
You can also set a custom time by clicking on the second option in the top right corner and then start the game.
You will notice the options of time control such as:
- Fischer Blitz 5|0
- Delay Bullet 1|2
- Fischer 5|5
- Fischer rapid 5|5
- Tournament 40/2hr, G60, 5s delay
You may be wondering what numbers like ‘5|5’ mean right? Actually, it is a notation used to denote time control. The numbers on the left denote the time limit each player gets on the clock while the number on the right of the ‘|’ mark denotes the number of seconds added to the clock after each move made.
Also Read My Article: What Happens When Chess Clock Runs Out? (With Chess Clock Rules)
#2. Agadmator Chess Clock
The Agadmator chess clock app is a clean and simple chess clock app provided by the Agadmator YouTube channel. With 10k+ downloads, this app is best especially if you are a fan of Agadmator’s YouTube channel.
Features:
- 10K+ downloads on Google Play Store
- Total size – 1.2 MB
- Simple and clean user interface
- Sound can be heard when you touch
- More space to touch the button
- Contains no ads
- Custom time controls can be added
One of the special features of this app is that the button is larger by default, and when you touch the button, it shrinks your side shrinks while expanding on the opponent’s side. Thus this provides more space to click.
Although this feature might not seem important but can be very useful when you play the fast bullet or blitz game where you have very little time and the chances of doing misclick are more.
Scope For Improvement:
Although this chess clock app is good still there is some scope for improvement. Firstly, there is no way to change the theme and color of the app.
Secondly, there is no option for a dark mode which is useful since dark mode saves battery. But rest then that with no bulky complex options this is a very good chess clock (timer) app.
Also Read: What Is A Chess Clock And How Does It Works?
#3. Chess Clock – Game Timer And Stats
This app comes with highly customizable features and a nice clean interface. Also, stats of the players’ performance such as average time per move, fastest move, slowest move, etc. can be seen which is very helpful for improving your game. All these features are available in the free version with the only drawbacks of ads.
Features:
- 50K+ downloads on Google Playstore
- Total size – 3.5 MB
- Shows the number of moves on the screen
- Nice clicking sound when touched
- Clock theme and color can be changed
- Also, sounds can be customized
- Individual player time can be set
- Delays and increments can also be added
Scope For Improvement:
The only major downside is that the free version contains ads. Rest this app is awesome and if you like to play with all different kinds of time controls along with a modern user interface then I recommend checking this app.
#4. Chess Timer By YOLO-Studio
If you are looking for a chess clock app where you can change the background color and also set time for individual players then this app is the right choice for you. With over 100k+ downloads this app is simple and easy to use except that it contains add-in-the-free version.
Features:
- 100K+ downloads on Google Play Store
- Total size – 2 MB
- Theme and background color can be changed
- Custom time can be added
- The number of moves can be seen
- Also, separate times can be set for individual players
Scope For Improvement:
This app contains ads that might be annoying for some. There are only three theme options available such as orange, blue, and maroon in the free version which could be extended a little bit.
For more themes and no ads, there is a pro version available for which you have to pay. One thing I noticed while reviewing this app is that the sound that comes when you touch the button is not so pleasing. Rest then that this app is great.
#5. Chess Clock – Play Blitz Chess
If you want a chess clock app with full customization and a simple interface then this app will be the best for you. With over 100K+ downloads, in this app, you can change the background color, font size, and time controls. However, the size of this app is a bit larger compared to others and the free version contains ads.
Features:
- 100K+ downloads on Google Play Store
- Total size – 3 MB
- Preset time control is available
- Custom time can be added
- Also, font size can be changed
- Moves can be seen on the screen
- The different times between the players can be added
- Background color can be set as per the wish
Scope For Improvement:
It would be better if the sound that comes while touching the buttons is a bit more pleasing. Also, the size is a little more than its counterparts and contains ads in the free version.
#6. Real Chess Clock
If you are looking for a simple chess clock app with different themes such as simple, analog, and digital then this app is good for you. Although the app contains ads and needs little improvement in the interface because feels old.
Features:
- 100K+ downloads on Google Playstore
- Total size – 2.4 MB
- Sound can be heard when touched
- Three chess clock themes: simple, analog, and digital are available
- Individual time for players can be set.
- Sound settings are available
- Shows the number of moves on the simple clock screen
- Also shows the name of the player on the simple clock screen
Scope For Improvement:
Ads may be annoying in the free version. Also, the stats option is available for the paid version. Though there are three clock themes, there is no option of changing the color of the background.
Also, the app’s interface feels old and needs improvement.
#7. Chess Clock By LR Studios
If you are looking for a simple chess clock app in which you can undo a move or edit the current time by doing a long press on the screen even in the paused state, then this app is good. You can try this app to experience a new kind of interface compared to others, although the ads may annoy you in the free version.
Features:
- 10K+ downloads on Google Play Store
- Total size – 2.6 MB
- The number of moves made can be seen
- Preset time is available
- Sound can be heard when clicked
- Different time settings are available
- Extra time can be added even in the paused state
- You can undo a move
- Simple design
Scope For Improvement:
The design and user interface can still be improved. There is no scope to change the color of the background. Only the clock font can be changed.
Contains ads in the free version. And one of the major issues that I noticed while using this app is that as soon as you do the setup and click on start the timer starts immediately.
It should rather first show a stopped screen and the timer should start only when any of the players press the button.
You can only set a custom main time. There is no option for custom time controls based on delays.
#8. Chess Clock For Scrabble
A very simple and lightweight chess clock app’s total size is only 442 KB. If you are looking for a chess timer with no extra customization and no ads then this app is good. Although no sound can be heard when you click except for slight vibration.
Features:
- 50K+ downloads on Google Playstore
- Very lightweight total size – 442 KB
- Custom time settings can be added
Scope For Improvement:
You can’t play chess with time controls such as those with increments or delays. There are only three main options related to time settings in this app.
To change the main time, change the overtime limit, and to change the penalty. No sound can be heard when you touch the button. Only a little vibration that too if enabled.
Very simple user interface and that seems a little old. There is not much option available to change the background color. Only two themes dark and default ones are available.
#9. Aurora Chess Clock
If you want to use a chess clock that displays a tournament-style clock as the main theme then this app will be the right choice for you. With 50K+ downloads on the google play store, this app also offers a custom time setting feature. However, the free version contains ads.
Features:
- 50K + downloads on the google play store
- The total size is 11 MB
- Custom time settings are available
- Sound can be heard when clicked
- The app’s screen displays a tournament-style clock
Scope For Improvement:
Ads in the free version are maybe annoying. Also, there are no features to change the clock theme or color. And the size of the app is also a bit heavier compared to other counterparts.
Plus no such feature of stats can be seen in this app.
#10. Magnus Chess Clock
If you want a super lightweight chess clock app with a very simple user interface and no ads then this app will be the right choice for you. Although the design and interface look old and need an update.
Features:
- 10K+ downloads
- 225 KB total size which means very lightweight
- Contains no ads
- A nice clicky sound can be heard when touched
- Simple design
- Preset time control is available
- New time control can be added
Scope For Improvement:
The app’s user interface needs improvement. It looks quite old. Also, there is no way to change the background color.
Final Words:
If you are a beginner and just want to start a chess game with a chess clock then the ‘Chess Clock’ app by chess.com will be the best. But if you want a lot of customization along with stats of how you played then the ‘Chess Clock – Game Timer And Stats’ app is the better option.
That’s it! Hope you liked reading this article. If you found this article helpful then consider sharing this with others. Thanks and good luck with your next chess game!
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