Coaching-first · Western pieces · No ads
A PiyoShogi alternative
that explains the game, not just plays it.
PiyoShogi has earned its reputation — 40 finely-graded AI levels, an analysis function, daily mate problems, all free. If shogi instructors recommend one app to beginners, it's usually this one. Shogiful doesn't compete with that; it adds the layer PiyoShogi leaves to you: every game analyzed by YaneuraOu and explained in plain English, weaknesses tracked and trained with spaced repetition, and Western piece sets so the board is readable before you can read kanji.
How does Shogiful compare to PiyoShogi?
A graded sparring partner and a coach. Here's where each one fits.
Opponent design
Shogiful: 10 named opponents in 4 tiers (~500–1800 strength) with distinct styles, unlocked by winning.
PiyoShogi: 40 subdivided AI levels — the finest difficulty grading in any shogi app, ideal for always finding a winnable game.
PiyoShogi: 40 subdivided AI levels — the finest difficulty grading in any shogi app, ideal for always finding a winnable game.
After the game
Shogiful: Every mistake classified into shogi-specific categories and explained in plain-language sentences, feeding a training queue.
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: Western piece sets with movement indicators, piece guide in every game, progressive kanji introduction.
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: Tsume library plus exercises generated from your own mistakes, scheduled with SM-2 spaced repetition across five tracked skills.
PiyoShogi: A daily mate problem — good practice, not a personalized system.
PiyoShogi: A daily mate problem — good practice, not a personalized system.
Platforms
Shogiful: iPhone, iPad, and Mac — one Universal Purchase.
PiyoShogi: iOS, Android, and a web version — broader platform reach.
PiyoShogi: iOS, Android, and a web version — broader platform reach.
Pricing
Shogiful: Free tier; Premium $1.99/mo, $9.99/yr, or $19.99 lifetime. No ads.
PiyoShogi: Free — exceptional value.
PiyoShogi: Free — exceptional value.
| Feature | Shogiful | PiyoShogi |
|---|---|---|
| Core strength | Coaching loop: analyze → explain → train | Finely-graded free play (40 levels) |
| Works offline | Yes — everything on-device | Yes, for AI play |
| Engine analysis | Yes — YaneuraOu NNUE, every game | Yes — analysis function |
| Plain-language mistake explanations | Yes — shogi-specific coaching sentences | No — evaluation output |
| Training from your own games | Yes — spaced repetition on detected weaknesses | No |
| Mate / tsume problems | 76 verified at launch, SRS-scheduled, ~500 on roadmap | Daily mate problem |
| Western piece set | Yes — with movement indicators + progressive kanji | Piece style options; English iOS version |
| Skill tracking | 5 dimensions + rating estimate + trends | Level progression |
| Account required | No | No, for local play |
| Pricing | Free; Premium from $1.99/mo; $19.99 lifetime | Free |
| Best for | Being coached from your own games, in English | Free finely-graded sparring at any level |
Honest verdict — PiyoShogi is excellent, and free
Pick Shogiful if you want…
- Your mistakes explained in sentences — drops, promotions, castles, tsume
- Training generated from your own games with spaced repetition
- Western pieces with movement indicators while you learn the kanji
- Skill tracking across five dimensions with a rating estimate
- 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 — 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 — it's the community recommendation for good reason. Shogiful earns its price when you want the analysis turned into teaching.
About Shogiful
Questions
FAQ
What is the best PiyoShogi alternative for learning shogi?
Shogiful — for the player who wants coaching rather than just graded play. Every game analyzed by YaneuraOu on-device with mistakes explained in plain-language sentences, weakness tracking across five skills, spaced-repetition training from your own games, and Western piece sets with progressive kanji learning. iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Is PiyoShogi or Shogiful better for beginners?
Both are genuinely good. PiyoShogi's 40 levels mean you can always find a winnable game, and it's free. Shogiful's advantage for Western beginners is readability and explanation: Western pieces you can play before you can read kanji, and coaching that tells you why you lost. Many beginners would do well with both.
Does Shogiful have adjustable difficulty like PiyoShogi's 40 levels?
It ships 10 named opponents across four tiers (~500–1800 strength) with distinct playing styles instead of a 40-step dial. PiyoShogi's ladder is more finely graded; Shogiful's roster feels like playing different people, with progression built in.
Does PiyoShogi explain mistakes like Shogiful?
PiyoShogi's analysis function gives you engine evaluation — generous for a free app, but you interpret it yourself. Shogiful classifies each significant mistake into shogi-specific categories and explains it in sentences, then drills those patterns with spaced repetition.
How much does Shogiful cost compared to PiyoShogi?
PiyoShogi is free, and it's remarkable value. Shogiful is free to download (all opponents, 2 analyses/day, 3 puzzles/day); Premium is $1.99/month, $9.99/year, or $19.99 lifetime. You're paying for the coaching layer, not the board.
Can I use both PiyoShogi and Shogiful?
Yes — PiyoShogi for free finely-graded sparring and its daily mate problem, Shogiful for the analyze-understand-train loop with Western pieces while you're learning the kanji.
Try it
Open Shogiful
The coaching layer on top of your shogi games. No ads, no account.