QuantuminesWork with Quantumines Yes. If you want no ads anywhere, use Lichess: it is free, open source and funded by donations, and it shows no ads at all. If you mainly want no ads while you play, plus free bots, a coach and unlimited game reviews, ChessMess is also free and shows no ads during games. Chess.com has a free account too, but going ad-free there means paying for Premium.
What does "no ads" actually mean on each site?
"Ad-free" is used loosely, so it helps to check what each site says about itself. These are the sites' own words, read on 10 November 2026.
| Site | Ads | How it is paid for |
|---|---|---|
| Lichess | None. Its about page says it does not sell ads or user data and puts nothing behind paywalls. | Donations from patrons, plus volunteer developers and moderators |
| ChessMess | "No ads during games." The coach (move-by-move explanations) is unlocked for a day by watching one short video. | Free to play, no paywall and no trial; built on open-source software |
| Chess.com | The free account shows ads. Its membership page lists "No Ads" as a Premium feature. | Paid Premium plans (with a 7-day free trial); free accounts see ads |
Which one should you pick?
- You never want to see an ad, anywhere on the site: Lichess. It is the clearest case: its players finish more than five million games a day, and you can request free Stockfish analysis after a game.
- You mostly play bots and want to learn as you go: ChessMess. It has 19 bot characters from 250 to full Stockfish, a coach that grades and explains each move in plain words, unlimited game reviews with accuracy and key moments, 100,000 rated puzzles and 57 interactive lessons, all free.
- Your friends are already there and you don't mind ads: Chess.com's free account. You can pay later if the ads or the free limits start to bother you.
Nothing stops you from using more than one. Many players play rated games on Lichess or Chess.com and use another site's bots or game review for practice.
What should you check before you settle on a site?
- Where the ads are. An ad on the home page is a small annoyance; an ad between moves or after every game breaks your concentration. Play two or three games before you decide.
- What "free" includes. Look at game review, lessons and bots, not only playing. Some sites limit free reviews or lessons per day.
- Whether you need an account. ChessMess lets you invite a friend by link, 6-digit code or QR without signing up; a free account keeps your games and ratings across devices.
- Who runs it. A site funded by donations, by ads or by subscriptions will make different choices over time. That is worth knowing, whichever you choose.
How ChessMess fits
Disclosure: ChessMess is built and run by Quantumines, the studio that publishes this answer.
ChessMess was built for players who want the features that usually sit behind a subscription (a coach, unlimited Stockfish game reviews, a mistake trainer that drills positions from your own games) without paying and without ads interrupting a game. It is not the only free option, and Lichess is the stronger choice if you want a site with no ads at all or a very large pool of online opponents. ChessMess publishes its own comparison of ChessMess, Chess.com and Lichess on its site.
Facts about ChessMess from chessmess.online, about Lichess from lichess.org/about, and about Chess.com from chess.com/membership, all checked on 10 November 2026. Sites change their plans, so check the current page before you rely on a detail.
Common follow-up questions
Is Lichess really free?
Yes. Lichess says it is 100% free and supported by donations and volunteers.
Can I review my games for free without a daily limit?
ChessMess offers unlimited Stockfish game reviews, and Lichess offers free computer analysis after a game. Our guide to reviewing chess games for free with Stockfish compares the options step by step.
Is there a free bot that plays like a person?
See Is there a chess bot that plays like a real person? for Maia, Chess.com's bots and ChessMess.