Comparison
Jupo World vs ChessKid, which suits a 5 year old?
Jupo World and ChessKid both involve chess, but they do different jobs. Here is which one fits your child, by age and by goal.
Who wrote this
We make Jupo World, so it is on this page. We judged every app, ours included, on the same points, using each app's own store page or website. Prices and features change: check the store before you buy.
| App | Made by | Ages (as the maker states) | How you pay | Ads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jupo World | Little Grandmasters | 4 to 10 | Free to try, then a subscription | No |
| ChessKid (Chess for Kids: Learn to Play) | Chess.com | Not stated | Free, with a paid Gold membership | No |
Choose Jupo World for a 4 to 6 year old who is not ready for full games of chess and would enjoy learning games with chess pieces as characters. Choose ChessKid for a child who already knows how the pieces move and wants lessons, puzzles and real games. Many children could use Jupo World first and ChessKid later.
What each one is
Jupo World is a world of learning games for ages 4 to 10, built on Judit Polgár's Chess Palace method. Children explore a castle, meet characters and play more than 20 games that practise memory, logic, movement, feelings and self-control. Some games use the chess pieces' moves as puzzles. It is not a chess course.
ChessKid is Chess.com's chess platform for children: video lessons, puzzles and games against the computer or other kids, on phones, tablets and the web.
Where they differ
- Goal: Jupo World practises thinking skills through play; ChessKid teaches chess.
- Age fit: Jupo World is made for 4 to 10 and plays without reading; ChessKid suits children who can follow lessons and play full games.
- Playing others: Jupo World is single-player with no chat. ChessKid lets children play live games against other kids, with no free chat and parental control over friends.
- Paying: both are free to start. Jupo World's full world needs a subscription; ChessKid's Gold membership unlocks most lessons.
- Ads: neither shows ads.
Questions parents ask
My 5 year old wants to learn chess. Which should we start with?
If they can sit through a whole game and know a few piece moves, try ChessKid. If not, start with play around the pieces in Jupo World or with a board game like Story Time Chess.
Can my child use both?
Yes. They do different jobs, and a child who enjoys the chess characters in Jupo World often wants the real game next.
Try Jupo World
Learning games in a castle world for children aged 4 to 10. No ads, no chat, and a parent gate before every purchase.
Play the first games free in your browser, or get the app for iPhone, iPad and Android.