What Makes a Good Online Chess Platform?

Websites for chess are not all created equal. We used the following important criteria to determine which platforms rank in the top 10:

Community & activity: There will always be a contest if there is a sizable user base.
Features include the ability to challenge a computer, play with friends, or experiment with variations like Chess960.
Learning aids include puzzles, supervised instruction, database access, and analysis.
Accessibility: User-friendly layout that supports both web and app platforms.
Paid vs. free: While some websites require a subscription to access their more sophisticated features, others are totally free.

With these in mind, here are the best chess platforms in 2025.

Top 10 Chess Platforms To Play Online

1. Chess.com

Chess.com is the most popular and oldest website in the world for chess, where we have seen so many great players play their matches online. The community is huge, where you can play with over 100 million members around the world. You can review the game with a virtual coach. It remains the best platform to play chess.

2. Lichess.org

Lichess is the go-to choice for those who want a free online chess platform. It’s open-source, ad-free, and offers unlimited puzzles, variants like Horde and 10-player chess, and powerful Stockfish analysis. Its clean interface makes it ideal for both beginners and advanced players. If you find Chess Complicated, then you can also learn from this website.

3. Chess.game

Chess.game is the top platform to play online in 2025, and it has been one of the best platforms for playing chess.

It has different difficulty levels, from playing at the beginner's level to playing against a Grandmaster, so if you think you can beat Magnus, then you should play the Grandmaster difficulty level.
There are five types of time-setting play, which include Bullet, Rapid, Long, and Blitz.
Third, the best part of the Chess game is that you can play for free and as many times as you wish, which will let you increase your skill level and also benefit your brain.

You can play real-time chess with an opponent online or with friends, too.

4. Red Hot Pawn

Red Hot Pawn Chess is an online chess platform with a large, active community that has been in operation since 2001. Moving alerts sent to your email allow you to play chess every day at your own pace, much like a correspondence style. To interact with other players and play team games, you can join forums, clubs, clans, leaderboards, and ladders.

5. Chessable

Owned by Chess24’s parent company, Chessable is a platform designed specifically for learning. Its spaced repetition method helps players memorize openings, tactics, and strategies. While you can’t play full games here, it’s an unmatched study tool. It can also teach you different checkmate strategies.

6. Internet Chess Club (ICC)

Once the leading chess server, ICC continues to attract serious players, including titled professionals. It features a deep database of historical games, live tournaments, and analysis tools.

7. Play Magnus

If you are a fan of Magnus Carlsen or even love to play chess, then the Play Magnus website is for you, because here you can go up against the AI that is based on the model of how is plays and can also practice some top opening by Magnus. Be the Gukesh Dommaraju who recently defeated Magnus twice.

8. SparkChess

SparkChess is a friendly chess site made for beginners and casual players. The design is clear and easy to use, so it’s not confusing. You can play games against the computer, try different puzzles, or play with other people online. It’s a good choice if you just want to enjoy chess without too many extra features.

9. GameKnot

A correspondence-style chess site, GameKnot, allows you to play slower, strategic games that last days or weeks. It has forums, analysis tools, and a loyal community.

10. Social Chess

Social Chess is an iOS app focused on turn-based games with friends. Its built-in chat feature makes it easy to play and talk at the same time, creating a more social experience.

Comparison Table of Top Chess Platforms

Platform	Free	Friends	Vs Computer	Learning	Best For
Chess.game	Free	Yes	Yes	Basic	Modern all-rounder
Chess.com	Freemium	Yes	Yes	Yes	All players
Lichess	Free	Yes	Yes	Yes	Free forever
Red Hot Pawn	Free	Yes	Yes	Yes	Free To Play
Chessable	Freemium	No	No	Yes	Learning
ICC	Paid	Yes	Yes	Yes	Serious players
Play Magnus	Freemium	No	Yes	Limited	Fun vs AI
SparkChess	Freemium	Yes	Yes	Limited	Beginners
GameKnot	Free	Yes	Limited	Some	Correspondence
Social Chess	Freemium	Yes	Limited	No	Mobile friends

Which Chess Platform Is Best for You?

Best modern experience → Chess.game
Best overall community → Chess.com
Best free forever → Lichess.org
Best vs computer → Play Magnus, Chess.game
Best for learning → Chessable, Lichess.org
Best for beginners → SparkChess, Social Chess

No matter your level or goal, one of these platforms will fit your style.

Online chess has never been more exciting. Whether you want to sharpen your skills against a computer, enjoy casual games with friends, or follow grandmaster tournaments, there’s a platform built for you.

If you are looking for the top 3 options to play chess online, then you can first go for Chess.com, Lichess.org, and finally Chess.game.

With these Top 10 Chess Platforms To Play Online, you’ll always have a board waiting for you, wherever you are.

Lichess vs Chess.com – Which One Is Better?

10 Chess Platforms to Play Online – Best Free & Paid