Lichess vs Magnus Trainer
Free, open-source chess. Forever. Gamified learning with lessons featuring Magnus Carlsen.
| Lichess | Magnus Trainer | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free · from $7.99/mo |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | iOS, Android, Web |
| Audience | beginner, intermediate, advanced, expert | beginner, intermediate |
| Languages | EN, ES, FR, DE, PT, RU | EN |
| 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 Lichess if…
- Completely free — no ads, no paywalls, no upsells
- Stockfish engine analysis available to everyone
- Excellent Studies feature for coaches and collaborative analysis
- Large library of variants and unrated training modes
Pick Magnus Trainer if…
- Bite-sized lessons feel addictive, good for habit formation
- Lessons taught by Magnus Carlsen and GM friends
- Good for under-1500 players who want structure
FAQ
- Is Lichess better than Magnus Trainer?
- Neither is strictly "better" — they serve different priorities. Lichess excels at: Completely free — no ads, no paywalls, no upsells. Magnus Trainer excels at: Bite-sized lessons feel addictive, good for habit formation. Pick based on the job you want done.
- Is Lichess free?
- Lichess has a free tier. Paid plans unlock: 100% free, no ads. Donations optional via Patron status..
- Is Magnus Trainer free?
- Magnus Trainer has a free tier. Paid plans unlock: advanced features.
- On what platforms are Lichess and Magnus Trainer available?
- Lichess runs on Web, iOS, Android. Magnus Trainer runs on iOS, Android, Web.
- Who should use Lichess vs Magnus Trainer?
- Lichess is aimed at beginner, intermediate, advanced, expert. Magnus Trainer targets beginner, intermediate. Our take: try the one whose audience description fits you.