Chess.com vs. Lichess: Which Is Better for Beginners?

For anyone just starting their chess journey, finding the right platform is crucial. It can determine whether you improve steadily or feel overwhelmed and confused. In the world of online chess, two platforms dominate the scene: Chess.com and Lichess.org. Both offer extensive tools, beautiful interfaces, and large communities, but they differ in features, philosophy, and user experience—especially for beginners.

This article offers a comprehensive comparison between Chess.com and Lichess to help new players choose the platform that will best support their learning, enjoyment, and progression.

1. Overview: What Are Chess.com and Lichess?

Chess.com

Founded in 2005, Chess.com is one of the most popular chess platforms in the world, boasting over 150 million users (as of 2024). It offers a polished, ad-supported experience with a freemium model—many tools are free, but advanced features require a subscription.

Lichess.org

Launched in 2010 by French developer Thibault Duplessis, Lichess is completely free and open-source. It runs on donations, has no ads, and has grown rapidly into a top-tier platform with millions of active players.

2. User Interface and Experience

Chess.com

• Design: Modern, visually appealing, and intuitive.

• Customization: Offers various themes, piece styles, and board designs.

• Mobile App: Smooth and feature-rich, but some advanced features are behind a paywall.

• Drawbacks: Ads on the free plan may be distracting for some.

Lichess

• Design: Sleek and minimalist.

• Customization: Wide variety of board colors, piece sets, and sound settings.

• Mobile App: Lightweight, fast, and fully open-source.

• Strength: No ads and extremely responsive UI, even on older devices.

Verdict for Beginners: Tie. Both platforms are easy to navigate, though Lichess is slightly more distraction-free due to its ad-free nature.

3. Playing Games

Chess.com

• Variants: Offers standard games, as well as Bughouse, Crazyhouse, 3-check, King of the Hill, and more.

• Time Controls: From bullet to correspondence.

• Matchmaking: Smart pairing system that finds appropriate opponents quickly.

• Bots: A wide range of bots with unique personalities (including themed bots like Mittens and Nelson).

Lichess

• Variants: Includes all major variants—Atomic, Horde, Antichess, and more.

• Time Controls: Highly customizable. Includes ultrabullet and custom increments.

• Matchmaking: Near-instant pairing based on your rating.

• Bots: Many bots (e.g., Maia) emphasize human-like play, ideal for beginners.

Verdict for Beginners: Slight edge to Lichess due to fast matchmaking and bot options like Maia that simulate human errors realistically.

4. Lessons and Learning Resources

Chess.com

• Lessons: Over 1,000 interactive lessons, sorted by rating and theme.

• Video Content: Extensive library of videos from top coaches and titled players.

• Curriculum: Step-by-step learning paths help beginners build a foundation.

• Limitation: Free users are limited to 1–3 lessons per week unless subscribed.

Lichess

• Lessons: No formal video course system, but has in-depth studies created by users and coaches.

• Study Mode: Interactive study system with analysis, annotations, and exercises.

• Community Resources: Thousands of free public studies covering openings, tactics, and endgames.

Verdict for Beginners: Chess.com wins here with its structured lesson system, though Lichess’s study mode is powerful if you know how to use it.

5. Tactics Training

Chess.com

• Tactics Trainer: Rated puzzles that adapt to your level.

• Puzzle Rush: Time-based training that’s addictive and fun.

• Puzzle Battle: Compete with others to solve puzzles quickly.

• Limitations: Puzzle access is capped for free users.

Lichess

• Puzzles: Unlimited and free. Rating-adjusted and categorized by theme.

• Puzzle Streak: Solve as many as you can in a row.

• Puzzle Dashboard: Detailed insights into strengths and weaknesses.

Verdict for Beginners: Lichess wins thanks to unlimited access, useful tags, and performance feedback—even without a subscription.

6. Analysis Tools

Chess.com

• Post-Game Review: AI gives feedback with ratings (Brilliant, Blunder, etc.).

• Depth: Uses Stockfish for engine evaluation.

• Limitations: Deep analysis requires premium membership.

Lichess

• Post-Game Analysis: Full access to Stockfish 16+ analysis for free.

• Insights: Offers centipawn loss metrics, accuracy, and mistake breakdown.

• Cloud Analysis: Interactive graphs, move times, and mistake patterns.

Verdict for Beginners: Lichess clearly wins. Its analysis tools are powerful and completely free.

7. Community and Learning by Observation

Chess.com

• Streamers and Events: Heavily involved in online events (e.g., PogChamps, Speed Chess Championship).

• Forums: Active community, but often cluttered with off-topic posts.

• Clubs: Join learning groups or regional clubs.

Lichess

• Open Source Community: Strong developer and study-sharing culture.

• Tournaments: Hourly arena-style tournaments for all levels.

• Studies and Simuls: Watch or join educational games and annotated studies.

Verdict for Beginners: Tie. Chess.com has broader media appeal, while Lichess encourages organic learning and sharing.

8. Cost and Accessibility

Chess.com

• Free Tier: Solid but limited—restricted puzzles, lessons, and analysis depth.

• Premium Plans:

  • Gold: $5/month

  • Platinum: $7/month

  • Diamond: $14/month

Lichess

• Completely Free: All features unlocked for every user.

• Funded by Donations: Transparent budget, no ads or upselling.

Verdict for Beginners: Lichess wins by a landslide. You get more core features without paying a cent.

9. Ethics and Fair Play

Chess.com

• Strong anti-cheating measures.

• Bans thousands of accounts weekly.

• Detection system uses behavior models and engine comparison.

Lichess

• Also employs robust cheat detection.

• Openly publishes data on bans and behavior.

• Community moderation and engine tools are widely respected.

Verdict: Tie. Both platforms take fair play seriously.

10. Summary Comparison Table

Conclusion: Which Is Better for Beginners?

If you want structured lessons and a polished, guided learning path:
➡️ Chess.com may be your best starting point—especially if you’re willing to subscribe for deeper access.

If you want free, unlimited features, and a focus on deep learning through practice and analysis:
➡️ Lichess.org is unbeatable—especially for motivated learners who enjoy exploring on their own.

In truth, both platforms are excellent, and many players use both for different purposes. Chess.com’s media presence and structured guidance attract many beginners, while Lichess’s powerful, free tools offer unmatched value.

The best platform for you depends on your style: do you want structured progression or open-ended exploration? Try both, and stick with the one that keeps you playing—and learning.