ChessManager is one of the most popular browser-based chess pairing programs, and for rated club events it does a lot right. If you are searching for a ChessManager alternative, you probably want to know what it really costs, what you get for free, and whether something simpler would suit your event better. This guide answers all three.
ChessManager price: a free tier for pairings, and a premium plan its homepage lists at $97 a year, which adds SMS pairing notifications and online entry-fee collection.
For unrated school, club and casual events, ChessHost is the easier alternative: players join by QR code, pairings show on a TV, and certificates are ready at the end. Free for one event a month of up to 12 players.
What Is ChessManager?
ChessManager (chessmanager.com) is a web app for making chess tournament pairings. Nothing to install: it runs in a browser on a laptop, tablet or phone. Its site lists Swiss, double Swiss, round robin and manual pairing, and it describes itself as FIDE approved, with FIDE ratings updated every month.
It is built for organisers who run rated events. You can export TRF, PGN and CSV files, players can sign up online with the organiser approving them, and the interface comes in 13 languages. Its site reports more than 124,000 tournaments and 9.6 million paired games.
ChessManager Price: Free Tier vs Premium
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Swiss and round robin pairings, unlimited rounds, manual pairing |
| Premium | $97 a year | Adds SMS pairing notifications and online entry-fee collection |
That is the pricing as shown on ChessManager's homepage in October 2026. Check the site before you pay, since prices change.
ChessManager vs ChessManager Online
Searching "ChessManager Online" can land you on a different product. Chess Manager at chessmanager.online is a separate, free, cloud-based tool from another team. Its site lists Swiss, round robin, knockout and quads, FIDE Dutch Swiss pairings, Buchholz and Sonneborn-Berger tiebreaks and a live QR code for spectators, and you sign up for a free account. Accounts and events do not move between the two, so check which address you are on before you build your event.
What ChessManager Does Well
- Rated club events. FIDE ratings, rating exports and FIDE-approved pairings.
- Many languages. 13 interface languages, from Polish to Persian.
- Live results. Players and parents can follow pairings and standings online.
- Exports. TRF, PGN and CSV for federations and archives.
When a ChessManager Alternative Makes Sense
ChessManager is a pairing tool first. Many events need something a little different:
- The event is unrated. A school lunchtime tournament, a cafe night or an office competition does not need rating exports.
- You want players to sign themselves in at the door from their own phones, without typing every name.
- You want the room on the big screen. Pairings and standings on a TV save everyone crowding around a laptop.
- You want a finished feel. Certificates for every player and a podium at the end.
The Easier ChessManager Alternative: ChessHost
ChessHost is free chess pairing software designed for organisers who are not chess experts. You do not need to know what a Buchholz score is. ChessHost works it out and explains it.
- QR code sign-up. Players scan a code at the venue and type their name. No app and no account for them.
- TV display. Pairings and live standings on any TV or projector, in four themes: Casual, Esports, Kids and Modern.
- Four formats. Swiss, round robin, knockout and team battle, with the number of rounds worked out for you.
- Plain-English tiebreaks. Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger and head-to-head, with a sentence on the standings saying why one player is above another.
- Certificates. PDF certificates for every player, free.
- Runs on your phone. Nothing to install, on any phone, tablet or laptop.
Price: free for one event a month of up to 12 players, no credit card. ChessHost Pro is $7 a month, or $18 every three months, for unlimited events and players.
ChessManager vs ChessHost: Side-by-Side
| Feature | ChessManager | ChessHost |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free tier; premium $97 a year | Free for 1 event a month up to 12 players; Pro $7 a month |
| Formats | Swiss, double Swiss, round robin, manual | Swiss, round robin, knockout, team battle |
| FIDE ratings and exports | Yes | No, unrated events only |
| Player sign-up | Online sign-up with organiser approval | Scan a QR code at the venue |
| Venue TV display | Live results online | Full-screen pairings and standings, four themes |
| Entry fees | Premium plan | No, collect fees yourself |
| Best for | Rated club events | Schools, clubs, cafes and office events |
Choose ChessManager If
Your event is rated, you need TRF exports for a federation, or you want SMS pairing alerts and online entry fees.
Choose ChessHost If
Your event is unrated and in person, and you want players joining by QR code, pairings on a TV and certificates at the end, run from your phone.
Want the bigger picture? See Tornelo vs ChessManager vs Chess Caddy for six tools side by side.
Try the Easier Alternative Free
No download. No credit card. Create a free account and go. Players join by QR code, no app and no account.
Launch ChessHostFrequently Asked Questions
How much does ChessManager cost?
ChessManager has a free tier with Swiss and round robin pairings. Its homepage lists a premium plan at $97 a year, which adds SMS pairing notifications and online entry-fee collection.
Is ChessManager free?
Partly. The free tier covers pairings, including Swiss and round robin with unlimited rounds. Paid extras such as SMS notifications and entry-fee collection need the $97 a year premium plan.
Is ChessManager Online the same as ChessManager?
No. ChessManager at chessmanager.com and Chess Manager at chessmanager.online are separate products from different teams, with different features and accounts. Check which site you are signing up on.
What is the best free ChessManager alternative for casual events?
ChessHost. It is free for one event a month of up to 12 players, players join by scanning a QR code, pairings and standings show on a TV, and PDF certificates are ready at the end. It is built for unrated school, club and casual events.
Does ChessHost do FIDE ratings?
No. ChessHost has no ratings and no FIDE or federation exports. For rated events, ChessManager, Tornelo, Swiss-Manager or Vega are the right tools.
Do players need an account to join a ChessHost event?
No. Players scan a QR code or open a link and type their name, with no app and no account. Only the organiser creates a free account.