💰 Pricing

Free for most tournaments.
Credits for big events.

All tournaments are free for up to 15 players. Running an event with 16 or more players? One credit unlocks it. Buy once, use once. No subscription, no auto-renewal. Credits are valid for 3 months from purchase.

✅ What is always free

  • All tournaments with up to 15 players
  • Swiss, Round Robin, and Knockout formats
  • Team Battle (two-team) mode
  • QR code player self-registration
  • Automatic pairings and standings
  • Live TV and projector display
  • Shareable spectator link for players
  • Participation certificates and diplomas
  • Share results as image or public link
  • Works on any phone, tablet, or laptop
  • No player accounts or downloads required

🏭 When you need a credit

  • Your event has 16 or more players
  • One credit covers the whole tournament
  • Credit is used when you start Round 1
  • Adding players before Round 1 is free
  • No cap on how many players above 16
  • Credits are valid for 3 months from the date of purchase
  • Buy credits close to when you plan to run your event

Credit packs

1 Credit

$1.99

One-time purchase

  • Run 1 tournament with 16+ players
  • All formats supported
  • No subscription, no renewal
Buy 1 credit

10 Credits

$14.99

One-time purchase

Save $5 vs. buying one by one
  • Run 10 large tournaments
  • Best value per event
  • Credits valid for 3 months
  • All formats supported
  • No subscription, no renewal
Buy 10 credits

Credits are one-time digital purchases processed by Paddle. No subscription, no auto-renewal. See our Refund Policy and Privacy Policy.

How it works

1

Create your tournament

Set a name, pick a format (Swiss, Round Robin, Knockout, or Team Battle), and set a time control. Takes about two minutes.

2

Players join by QR code

Share the QR code or join link. Players tap their name and they are in. No accounts, no downloads, no email needed.

3

Start the rounds

Press start to generate the first round pairings. For events with 16 or more players, one credit is used at this moment. For smaller events, nothing is charged.

About tournament credits: Credits are digital goods. Each credit unlocks one tournament with 16 or more players. A credit is consumed when Round 1 is started. Credits expire 3 months (90 days) after the date of purchase and any unused credits are forfeited after that window. The expiry date is visible in your account. Unused credits can be refunded within 14 days of purchase if no credits from that purchase have been used. Credits that have been used to start a tournament are non-refundable. There is no subscription and no auto-renewal. Payments are processed by Paddle. See our Refund Policy for full details.

Frequently asked questions

Is ChessHost free?

Yes. ChessHost is completely free for all tournaments with up to 15 players. You only need a credit for events with 16 or more players. Everything including Swiss pairings, QR registration, live TV display, and certificates is free within that limit.

What exactly is a tournament credit?

A tournament credit is a one-time digital purchase that unlocks a single chess tournament with 16 or more players. Credits are not a subscription. They do not auto-renew. You buy them once and use them whenever you need them.

Does one credit cover all the players in the tournament?

Yes. One credit unlocks the entire tournament regardless of how many players join above 16. Whether you have 17 players or 50 players, one credit covers it.

When exactly is a credit used up?

A credit is consumed when you start Round 1 of a tournament with 16 or more players. Creating a tournament, adding players, editing settings, or viewing the app does not use a credit. You are in control of when it gets used.

Can I get a refund on unused credits?

Yes. If you have not spent any credits from a purchase, you can request a full refund within 14 days of buying. Credits that have already been used to start a tournament are non-refundable as digital goods already delivered. See our Refund Policy for full details.

What payment methods are accepted?

Payments are processed by Paddle and support major credit and debit cards, plus a range of popular local payment methods depending on your country.

Is there a subscription or auto-renewal?

No. Credits are a one-time purchase only. There are no recurring charges, no auto-renewal, and no subscription of any kind. You pay when you choose to, for exactly what you need.

Do credits expire?

Yes. Tournament credits expire 3 months (90 days) after the date of purchase. Any unused credits are forfeited when that window closes. The expiry date is shown in your account. We recommend buying credits when you have an event coming up soon rather than stocking up in advance.

Why is there a player limit for free events?

Keeping the free tier generous lets casual organizers, teachers, and pub hosts run events with no cost at all. The small credit for larger events helps cover server costs and lets us keep improving the app. Most people who run casual chess nights never need to pay anything.

Start your next chess event for free

Up to 15 players. No signup required for your players. Works on any phone or laptop.

Launch the app