Free & ad-free chess clock apps: alternatives to Chess Clock - Play Blitz Chess

If you want a chess clock without ads, the best free picks on our list are Chess Clock Neo, Chessis Clock and Giulio Di Maria's Chess Clock. All three show no "Contains ads" label on Google Play and ask for no payment. Lapnito's Chess Clock: Board & Go Timer ranks fourth, ahead of Chess Clock by Chess.com. Only 2 of the 6 listings name all three features we required: Fischer increment, a Bronstein or byo-yomi delay, and blitz, rapid and classical presets.

The app we compare against is "Chess Clock - Play Blitz Chess" by Niklas Baudy. Its Google Play page shows 500K+ downloads, but it carries the "Contains ads" label and lists in-app purchases. That is a common trade-off for free clocks, and it is why many players look for an alternative they can leave running on the table without interruptions.

How we picked

This ranking draws on public data only: the Google Play listing (price, "Contains ads" label, Data safety section, last update), the App Store page where an iOS version exists, and the developers' own listing text. All facts were verified on 2026-11-08. We did not install or run any app, so what follows describes what the listings say, not how the apps behave in a game. The scoring weights and rules are explained on the methodology page.

Before looking at candidates we fixed three required features: Fischer increment, a Bronstein or byo-yomi delay, and presets for blitz, rapid and classical. A feature counts as matched only if the listing text names it. Every app below is free, shows no ads label and has no required subscription. Permissions could not be confirmed from an independent report for any of them, so that part of the score is neutral for all.

1. Chess Clock Neo

Chess Clock Neo by Boehme Labs is the only app on the list whose listing names all three required features, plus Japanese and Canadian byo-yomi, hourglass mode and US delay. It ships with presets such as Bullet 1+0, Blitz 3+2, Rapid 15+10 and Classical 90+30. The Data safety section says no data is collected or shared, there is no ads label and no in-app purchases.

One limit: it is Android only and very new, with 100+ downloads and no public rating yet. It was updated on 2026-11-01. That means there is little community feedback to lean on.

2. Chessis Clock: Game Timer

Chessis Clock from Chess Improvement Apps is a minimal over-the-board clock. The listing names Fischer increment, Bronstein delay and presets for bullet, blitz, rapid and classical (for example 3+2, 10+5 and 90+30). It says there is no ads, no account, no internet needed and no permission except vibration, and the Data safety section reports no data collected.

The limit is scope: the listing mentions no byo-yomi or multi-stage controls, so it is a better fit for chess than for Go. It is Android only, shows 1K+ downloads and was last updated on 2026-01-05, which scores lower on maintenance than the apps updated this autumn.

3. Chess Clock by Giulio Di Maria

Chess Clock by Giulio Di Maria has 500K+ downloads and about 10,245 ratings averaging 4.63 on Google Play. The listing says it is 100% free with no ads and no purchases, and the Data safety section reports no data collected. It names Fischer, Bronstein and simple delay, up to three-stage FIDE clocks, hourglass mode and handicap times for each player. It was updated on 2026-10-12.

The limit: it lists "predefined timers" but does not name blitz, rapid and classical presets, so it matches two of the three required features. There is no byo-yomi, and no iOS version appears on its listing.

4. Chess Clock: Board & Go Timer (Lapnito)

This is Lapnito's own app, scored by the same blind scorer as the others. The Google Play listing and the App Store page describe Fischer increment, Bronstein delay, simple delay, Japanese and Canadian byo-yomi, hourglass, multi-stage controls, two to six players and a different time control per player. The developer states there is no ads, no account, no tracking and full offline use, and the Play Data safety section reports no data collected.

The limit is that the listing does not describe blitz, rapid and classical presets by name, so it matches two of three required features here. It is also brand new, with no public ratings yet on either store.

5. Chess Clock by Chess.com

The Chess.com clock is the best-known name here, with 10M+ downloads on Google Play, a 4.62 rating from about 25,000 ratings and a 4.64 rating on the App Store. The listing says "100% free: no in-app purchases, no ads", supports Fischer and Bronstein increments and simple delays, and handles multi-stage tournament controls. The Data safety section reports no data collected.

The limit is maintenance: Google Play shows the last update on 2025-01-16 and the App Store version dates from June 2024. The listing speaks of one-tap favourite time controls but does not name blitz, rapid or classical presets.

6. Chess Clock by mansoorcm

Chess Clock by mansoorcm has 100K+ downloads. The developer says the app is completely free with no ads, with an optional voluntary "Thanks" purchase to support development, which is why Google Play shows an in-app purchases label. It supports Fischer, Bronstein and delay modes, custom time controls, different times for each player and a dark theme. It was updated on 2026-03-29.

The limit is that this optional tip costs it a little in the cost score, and the listing names no blitz, rapid or classical presets. It is Android only.

When not to use an app

A phone clock is a poor choice for sanctioned tournaments. Many events require a dedicated digital clock that meets the organiser's rules, and a phone can be disturbed by calls and notifications. If you use a phone anyway, enable do-not-disturb and check that the app pauses when interrupted. A physical clock is also easier for two people to slap without looking, and it does not drain a battery. For very young players, a simple sand timer can be less stressful than a ticking digital display.

FAQ

What is the difference between Fischer increment and Bronstein delay?

Fischer increment adds a fixed amount of time after each move, so your clock can grow. Bronstein delay gives back only the time you actually spent on the move, up to the delay value, so the clock never grows beyond where it started that turn.

Do I need byo-yomi for chess?

No. Byo-yomi is mainly used in Go and shogi, where players get several short periods after the main time. Only Chess Clock Neo and Lapnito's Chess Clock list it, so choose one of them if you also play those games.

Why do some free chess clocks show ads?

Ads pay for free apps. Google Play shows a "Contains ads" label on the listing, as it does for Chess Clock - Play Blitz Chess by Niklas Baudy. Apps on this list carry no such label, though an App Store page has no equivalent label.

Do these apps work offline?

Several listings say so explicitly, including Chessis Clock and Lapnito's Chess Clock. A timer does not need a connection by design, but check the Data safety section if that matters to you.

Is the ranking influenced by Lapnito owning one app?

No. Lapnito's app went through the same scorer and is published at the position it received, which is fourth of six. Read the methodology page for the weights.