Its pricing page lists Decode Games at 1 per day on Free, with Deep explanations off. Its FAQ also says that, for a limited time, a free account gets 3 free decode sessions per day. Both statements are on official pages.

Do I need an account here?

No. The review runs in your browser with no signup and no daily limit.

Does this explain every move?

No. The free review gives a fact and a playable line at each key moment. Coach, part of Pro, writes notes for those key moments, not every move. DecodeChess describes short explanations for each move in the game on its pricing page.

A DecodeChess Alternative

DecodeChess writes a short note on every move and generates those notes on its servers. Here the engine review is free, with no daily limit and no account. Written notes are optional Pro, and they cover key moments only.

Updated 3 November 2026

Paste a PGN in the box above. You get accuracy, a label on every move, and a fact you can check on the board at each key moment. Coach notes are part of an optional Pro plan.

How the two compare

Every cell links to the official page it came from. Where we could not find a statement, the cell says “Not stated” instead of guessing. Official pages that disagree are both quoted.

Free allowance, notes, price, signup, engine and import
Feature	DecodeChess	Explain My Chess
Free allowance	Pricing page: Decode Games 1 per day. FAQ: for a limited time, 3 free decode sessions per day	Free review, no daily limit
Deep explanations	Not on the Free plan	Free: a fact sentence and a playable line per key moment. Pro Coach covers key moments, not every move
Paid price	Unlimited $8.25 monthly or $84 yearly. Credit packs $15 / 60 credits and $25 / 120 credits	Review free. Pro (Coach): $9.99 monthly or $69 yearly. Fair use: 100 games per month
What the notes cover	Short explanations for each move in the game	Free facts at key moments. Coach (Pro) writes notes for key moments, not every move
Signup required	Yes. Terms: you must register an account to use the services	No for the free review. Pro needs a sign-in
Engine	FAQ: Stockfish 12 NNUE. Decode runs on its servers; basic analysis runs in your browser	Stockfish 18 lite, running in your browser
Import	PGN and FEN. Username import: Not stated	Chess.com or Lichess username, or paste a PGN

Checked on 3 November 2026. Sources: DecodeChess pricing, DecodeChess FAQ, DecodeChess terms.

When DecodeChess is the better pick

You want a short explanation on every move. DecodeChess describes that as Decode Game on its pricing page.
You want server-side engine work, or Decode Positions. Its FAQ says Decode runs on their servers, and the pricing page lists Decode Positions on paid plans.

When this one fits

You want to review many games for free, with no daily cap.
You do not want to register an account.
You only need facts and lines at the key moments, not a note on every ply.

How we checked

On 3 November 2026 we read DecodeChess public pages: home, pricing, FAQ and terms. We did not log in. If a limit or price appeared only after JavaScript, or only to a signed-in user, we wrote “Not stated”. Figures for this site match the pricing page.

Questions

Is DecodeChess free?: Its pricing page lists Decode Games at 1 per day on Free, with Deep explanations off. Its FAQ also says that, for a limited time, a free account gets 3 free decode sessions per day. Both statements are on official pages.
Do I need an account here?: No. The review runs in your browser with no signup and no daily limit.
Does this explain every move?: No. The free review gives a fact and a playable line at each key moment. Coach, part of Pro, writes notes for those key moments, not every move. DecodeChess describes short explanations for each move in the game on its pricing page.

Explain My Chess is not affiliated with DecodeChess. All trademarks belong to their owners. Features and prices change, so check each site before you decide.