Software Alternatives & Startups

Chessable VS PGNBase

Compare Chessable VS PGNBase and see what are their differences

Chessable logo Chessable

Chessable uses science-based training techniques to improve how you learn content from chess books and videos.

PGNBase logo PGNBase

Personal Online Chess Database
  • Chessable Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-18
  • PGNBase Master database
    Master database //
    2026-07-22
  • PGNBase Analyze
    Analyze //
    2026-07-22
  • PGNBase Organize
    Organize //
    2026-07-22
  • PGNBase Import
    Import //
    2026-07-22
  • PGNBase Share
    Share //
    2026-07-22
  • PGNBase Mobile
    Mobile //
    2026-07-22

A web app for building and studying a personal chess database. Runs entirely in the browser, engine included, synced across desktop, phone, and tablet. Nothing to install.

Master database:

  • 9.4M+ over-the-board games, updated daily from live tournament broadcasts.
  • Searchable by player, position, or opening.

Analyze

  • Stockfish 18, multi-threaded, in the browser
  • Opening tree and reference games from any position
  • Variations as a collapsible tree
  • Glyphs, comments, arrows, highlights, all autosaved

Organize

  • Folders, subfolders, and databases, each with its own icon
  • Bulk move and duplicate
  • Unlimited PGN export

Import

  • Any PGN, from one game to a full ChessBase export, duplicates skipped
  • Chess.com and Lichess sync, studies included (each becomes its own database)

Share

  • View-only or edit access
  • Live co-editing of the same game
  • Presenter mode syncs every viewer's board
  • Live presence

Mobile

  • Full master database and your own games in the phone browser, always in sync

PGNBase

$ Details
freemium
Release Date
2026 May
Startup details
Country
France

Chessable features and specs

  • Interactive Learning
    Chessable uses a 'MoveTrainer' system, allowing users to learn and remember through interactive, hands-on experiences rather than passive reading or watching.
  • Spaced Repetition
    The platform uses a spaced repetition algorithm to optimize memory retention, which helps players recall openings, tactics, and strategies better.
  • Wide Range of Content
    Chessable offers a vast library of courses on various aspects of chess, from basic openings to advanced tactics and endgames, catering to different skill levels.
  • Community Engagement
    Chessable has a strong community aspect where users can interact in forums, share insights, discuss moves, and support each other's learning.
  • Access to Expert Knowledge
    Many courses are created by titled players and chess experts, providing high-quality instructional material to learners.

Possible disadvantages of Chessable

  • Costly Courses
    While there is free content available, many of the advanced or specialized courses come at a price, which can accumulate quickly for dedicated learners.
  • Limited Free Features
    The free version of Chessable offers limited access to features, pushing users towards subscribing to premium plans for full access.
  • Overwhelming for Beginners
    The wide array of available courses can sometimes be overwhelming for new players who might not know where to start.
  • Internet Connection Required
    As an online platform, Chessable requires a stable internet connection, which can limit accessibility for users with poor connectivity.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Some users may find the interface and advanced options to have a steep learning curve, requiring time to get accustomed to the platform’s functionalities.

PGNBase features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

Chessable videos

Is Chessable Worth It? | Dojo Talks

More videos:

  • Demo - Paying $19.95 to Play Like Naka! Chessable Tutorial and Demo

PGNBase videos

No PGNBase videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Chessable and PGNBase)
Chess
93 93%
7% 7
Marketing Platform
100 100%
0% 0
Project Management
100 100%
0% 0
Games
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Chessable seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 20 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Chessable mentions (20)

  • I do not understand why this is losing material.
    I think its saying that because at chessable.com it said that knight has 3 points and rook has 5 points you take back but rook is still better than knight and the game thinks that promoting to queen isn't gaining any material. Source: about 3 years ago
  • The Best Chess Resources 2nd Edition
    Chessable: Interactive chess books. Some recommended courses:. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Should I buy courses from chessly or buy chess.com premium
    Chess.com membership on TOP. Get the gold one. Not the platinum. Chess.com already gives you a way to analyze. I don't see why you need an engine to say if the move is good or bad when you literally can analyze on your own. The lessons are very good. Some go over fundamentals that gothamchess courses have (Middlegame masterclass, beginner course, and intermediate course). Also while chess.com lessons doesn't have... Source: over 3 years ago
  • End game King side pawn verse Queenside pawn majority
    Would someone be open to giving feedback on end-game principles or ideas I should have thought about or be thinking about in this position? I've practiced end games pawns verse pawns and such on chessable.com but I think im missing some "known theory" that my opponents have from chess coaches/years of experience heh. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Is it even worth buying chess books?
    But in the end, if I'm going to buy a book, I prefer a book that is a book that doesn't contain a lot of analysis, and teaches you the basics of chess. For that purpose I recommend Chessable, and the other one, Chessable. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

PGNBase mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of PGNBase yet. Tracking of PGNBase recommendations started around Jul 2026.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Chessable and PGNBase, you can also consider the following products

Chess.com - Play chess on Chess.com

ChessBase Database - ChessBase Database provides you access to games from across the whole history of chess.

Lichess - The complete chess experience, play and compete in tournaments with friends others around the world.

Chess Tempo Database - Chess Tempo Database gives you a library of more than 2 million searchable chess games.

ChessDB - ChessDB - a free Chess database for Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, and UNIX - like ChessBase, but better

Chessvia.ai - Chessvia AI offers a revolutionary chess experience with Chessy, your personal AI chess coach that speaks, listens, and adapts to your style.