Game review · Pieces without kanji · No ads
A PiyoShogi alternative
that explains your games.
PiyoShogi has earned its reputation with 40 finely graded AI levels, an analysis function, and daily mate problems, all free. Shogiful takes the next step for you. YaneuraOu reviews every game, each mistake gets a card in plain English with a coach's tip, and daily training goes after your top weakness. Piece styles without kanji make the board readable before you know the characters.
How does Shogiful compare to PiyoShogi?
PiyoShogi is a graded sparring partner, and Shogiful is a training app.
Opponent design
Shogiful: 40 opponents in eight tiers, from Koishi to Meijin, in seven playing styles, unlocked by winning.
PiyoShogi: 40 subdivided AI levels, among the finest difficulty grading in any shogi app, so you can always find a winnable game.
PiyoShogi: 40 subdivided AI levels, among the finest difficulty grading in any shogi app, so you can always find a winnable game.
After the game
Shogiful: Each move labelled from Best move to Blunder, and a card for each mistake: what you played, what was best, the cost in pawns, and a coach's tip.
PiyoShogi: Analysis function with engine evaluation; you interpret the numbers yourself.
PiyoShogi: Analysis function with engine evaluation; you interpret the numbers yourself.
Kanji barrier
Shogiful: Three piece styles: Traditional kanji, International (kanji with movement arrows), and Chess (chess-style pieces, no kanji). Moves show in Western (P-7f) or Japanese notation.
PiyoShogi: Traditional and simplified piece options with an English iOS version; the design assumes you'll learn the pieces by playing.
PiyoShogi: Traditional and simplified piece options with an English iOS version; the design assumes you'll learn the pieces by playing.
Structured training
Shogiful: 501 tsume problems, 99 drop drills, 62 castle drills, and 80 lessons, with a daily plan tuned to your top weakness and spaced repetition.
PiyoShogi: A daily mate problem. Good practice, though not personalized.
PiyoShogi: A daily mate problem. Good practice, though not personalized.
Platforms
Shogiful: iPhone, iPad, and a native Mac app.
PiyoShogi: iOS, Android, and a web version, so it reaches more platforms.
PiyoShogi: iOS, Android, and a web version, so it reaches more platforms.
Pricing
Shogiful: Free, with daily limits on analysis and training and none on play. Premium $1.99/mo or $9.99/yr, each with a 7-day free trial, or $19.99 once. No ads.
PiyoShogi: Free, and very good value.
PiyoShogi: Free, and very good value.
| Feature | Shogiful | PiyoShogi |
|---|---|---|
| Core strength | Review and training: analyze, explain, practice | Finely graded free play (40 levels) |
| Works offline | Yes, for play, analysis, and training | Yes, for AI play |
| Engine analysis | Yes, YaneuraOu on every game | Yes, analysis function |
| Mistake explanations | A card per mistake: your move, the best move, the cost in pawns, and a tip | No, evaluation output |
| Training aimed at your mistakes | Yes, a daily plan tuned to your top weakness, with spaced repetition | No |
| Mate / tsume problems | 501, from 1-move to 9-move mates (381 free) | Daily mate problem |
| Playable without kanji | Yes, Chess style (no kanji) or International (kanji with arrows) | Piece style options; English iOS version |
| Progress tracking | Estimated rating, kyu/dan estimate, accuracy trend; Skill Profile on Premium | Level progression |
| Account required | No | No, for local play |
| Pricing | Free; Premium from $1.99/mo; $19.99 once | Free |
| Best for | Having your own games explained, in English | Free finely graded sparring at any level |
Verdict: PiyoShogi is excellent, and free
Pick Shogiful if you want…
- Mistakes with drops, promotions, castles, and tsume explained on cards
- Daily training built around your top weakness, with spaced repetition
- Chess-style or arrowed pieces while you learn the kanji
- 501 tsume problems, 99 drop drills, and 80 lessons
- A native Mac app alongside iPhone and iPad
Pick PiyoShogi if you want…
- A completely free app with remarkable depth
- 40 finely subdivided AI levels, so there is always a winnable game
- A daily mate problem habit
- Android or web access alongside iOS
If your budget is zero, install PiyoShogi and don't look back; the community recommends it for good reason. Shogiful is worth paying for when you want the analysis turned into teaching.
About Shogiful
Questions
FAQ
What is the best PiyoShogi alternative for learning shogi?
Shogiful, if you want your games explained on top of graded play. YaneuraOu reviews every game on your device, and each mistake gets a card with what you played, what was best, the cost in pawns, and a coach's tip. Today's Training builds each session around your level and top weakness, and the piece styles include chess-style pieces with no kanji. It runs on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Is PiyoShogi or Shogiful better for beginners?
Both are good for beginners, in different ways. PiyoShogi's 40 finely graded levels mean you can always find a winnable game, and it's free, which is why shogi teachers often recommend it. Shogiful's strengths for beginners outside Japan are readability and explanation: you can play with chess-style pieces, or kanji with movement arrows, before you can read the characters, and each mistake card tells you why the move was wrong. Many beginners would do well with both.
Does Shogiful have adjustable difficulty like PiyoShogi's 40 levels?
Shogiful also has 40 steps, as 40 named opponents in eight tiers, from Koishi to Meijin. Each plays one of seven styles, such as aggressive, castle builder, or drop tactician, and you unlock the next by beating the current one twice. PiyoShogi's levels work as a strength dial; Shogiful's ladder is climbed in order, one opponent at a time.
Does PiyoShogi explain mistakes like Shogiful?
PiyoShogi's analysis function gives you the engine's evaluation, which is generous for a free app, and you interpret it yourself. Shogiful labels every move from Best move to Blunder and gives each mistake a card in one of 12 shogi mistake types, with an explanation written for that type. Train These Weaknesses then opens practice on the mistakes you repeat.
How much does Shogiful cost compared to PiyoShogi?
PiyoShogi is free, and it's remarkable value. Shogiful is free to download, and play is never limited: you get unlimited games against all 40 opponents, which unlock as you win, plus 2 game analyses, 3 training puzzles, and 2 coach hints a day, with no ads. Premium removes those limits for $1.99/month or $9.99/year, each with a 7-day free trial, or $19.99 once, and Family Sharing is included. Premium also adds Deep Lines, every drill and lesson, and the Skill Profile. You pay for the review and training, never for the board.
Can I use both PiyoShogi and Shogiful?
Yes, they complement each other well. Use PiyoShogi for free, finely graded sparring and its daily mate problem, and Shogiful for reviewing your games and training your weak spots, with readable pieces while you learn the kanji.
Try it
Open Shogiful
Your own shogi games, reviewed and explained, with no ads and no account.
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