Which chess app to learn openings?
Prologue vs Chessable, Chess.com and Lichess: which app to learn openings.
Which chess app should you use to learn openings? Chessable, Chess.com, Lichess and Prologue Chess don't do the same thing, and the right choice depends on what you want: read theory, review flashcards, or play the opening until it sticks. This page gathers our comparisons, starting with the best chess opening apps in 2026.
The criterion that matters: flashcards or real play? Spaced repetition (Chessable) makes you recognize moves; video courses (Chess.com) make you understand ideas; the Lichess explorer shows what people actually play. Prologue Chess does one thing: it makes you replay the opening move by move until you know it by heart. The Prologue vs Chessable, Prologue vs Chess.com and Prologue vs Lichess comparisons go into the differences.
On budget, how much does learning openings cost? From nothing (Lichess, free resources) to hundreds of dollars in courses. We also cover book or app and which app for a beginner.
| Tool | Method | What it teaches | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prologue Chess | Replay the opening move by move, fading guidance | Remembering it at the board, with the why of every move | Players 600–1800 who forget their openings in games |
| Chessable | Spaced repetition (MoveTrainer), paid courses | Recognizing the moves of a deep repertoire | Club players who want complete theory |
| Chess.com | Video courses, lessons, opening explorer | Understanding ideas, seeing examples | Players who like learning by watching |
| Lichess | Opening explorer and studies, free | What players at your level actually play | Self-learners, all levels |
Articles in this theme
Prologue vs Chess.com lessons
Chess.com, a complete ecosystem to play and learn. Prologue, a tool dedicated to openings you play move by move. An honest comparison to choose.
Flashcards vs playing the opening: what sticks?
Flashcards or replaying the moves: which one makes a chess opening stick? What each anchors in memory, and which holds up when the game starts.
Prologue vs Chessable: two ways to learn
Chessable bets on spaced repetition, Prologue on playing each move. An honest comparison to pick the method that fits how you actually memorize.
Learning openings for free: is it possible?
Can you learn chess openings without paying? Yes, and often better than you'd expect. The free tools that work, and how to make them actually stick.
How much does it cost to learn openings?
Do you have to pay to learn chess openings, and how much? An honest take on free, paid, and what your money actually buys you.
How to choose a chess app when you're starting out
Too many chess apps, no way to tell them apart? The concrete criteria for picking an app as a beginner, and how to avoid the ones that waste your time.
Prologue vs Lichess studies
Lichess hands you free studies and a world-class opening explorer. Prologue teaches by playing each move. An honest comparison to help you choose.
Opening book or app: which should you choose?
Learn openings from a book or an app? We compare the two honestly, what each brings, and which one will actually make you retain.
Learning openings on mobile: what works
Your phone is ideal for learning chess openings, if you go about it right. What actually works on mobile, and what just wastes your time.
Best apps to learn chess openings in 2026, compared honestly
The best app to learn chess openings depends on how you learn. Chessable, Chess.com, Lichess and Prologue compared on method, price and free tier, with a verdict per profile.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app to learn chess openings?
It depends on your goal. To remember an opening and play it in games: Prologue Chess. For a complete theoretical repertoire: Chessable. To understand ideas on video: Chess.com. To explore for free: Lichess.
Is Prologue Chess free?
The download is free and the Italian Game family is included. The full repertoire (300+ openings) is Premium.
Is a book or an app better?
A book explains plans better; an app makes you remember moves by making you play them. The most effective combination: a book to understand, an active app to memorize.
Ready to win your openings?
Start with the Italian Game, for free. From your very next games, you'll know exactly what to play in the opening.
Download on the App StoreFree to download, on iPhone.