Chess.com is the undisputed giant for playing, community, and learning breadth; Magnus Trainer (now rebranded as 'Play Magnus' merged into Chess.com's ecosystem) carved a niche with grandmaster-style training puzzles, but Chess.com wins for most players on almost every dimension.
Chess.com literally bought Magnus Carlsen's app — so if you use Magnus Trainer now, you're indirectly paying the company that also owns the thing you thought you were avoiding.
You want one app to rule them all — play, learn, analyze, and socialize
Chess.com's depth and community are unmatched; it's the only chess app most people will ever need.
→ Pick Chess.comYou want gamified, bite-sized GM-style training with a fun mobile-first feel
Magnus Trainer's mini-game drills are uniquely engaging for players who get bored by traditional puzzle grind.
→ Pick Magnus TrainerYou're a beginner wanting structured improvement fast
Chess.com's lesson library, interactive courses, and massive puzzle bank create a clear learning path from day one.
→ Pick Chess.comYou hate subscriptions and want offline drilling on your phone
Magnus Trainer's offline support and lower price point make it a lighter commitment for casual trainers.
→ Pick Magnus Trainer