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ChessBase vs Follow Chess

The professional's database and analysis suite. Live broadcasts of every top tournament.

 ChessBaseFollow Chess
PricingFrom €199 one-timeFree · from $0.99/mo
PlatformsWindows, Web, macOSWeb, iOS, Android
Audienceadvanced, expertintermediate, advanced, expert
LanguagesEN, DE, ES, FREN
Features
Play online
Play bots
Local pass-and-play
Tactics puzzles
Opening trainer
Endgame trainer
Spaced repetition
Video lessons
Live coaching
Engine analysis
Board scanner (OCR)
Opening repertoire
Cloud sync
Offline mode
Kid-safe
Tournaments
Rating system
Correspondence chess
Chess variants
Study & share
AI coach
Streaming-ready
Game database

Pick ChessBase if…

  • Deepest opening preparation tool on the market
  • Mega Database with 10M+ annotated games
  • Industry standard for pro coaching
Full review →

Pick Follow Chess if…

  • Covers obscure events Chess.com ignores
  • Clean multi-game watchlist view
  • Pro tier is laughably cheap
  • Low-latency broadcast relay
Full review →

FAQ

Is ChessBase better than Follow Chess?
Neither is strictly "better" — they serve different priorities. ChessBase excels at: Deepest opening preparation tool on the market. Follow Chess excels at: Covers obscure events Chess.com ignores. Pick based on the job you want done.
Is ChessBase free?
ChessBase is paid. Annual database updates sold separately. Account on ChessBase Online adds cloud features.
Is Follow Chess free?
Follow Chess has a free tier. Paid plans unlock: Lifetime Pro purchase available as one-time upgrade..
On what platforms are ChessBase and Follow Chess available?
ChessBase runs on Windows, Web, macOS. Follow Chess runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Who should use ChessBase vs Follow Chess?
ChessBase is aimed at advanced, expert. Follow Chess targets intermediate, advanced, expert. Our take: try the one whose audience description fits you.