Compare the workflow
| Need | Zoom + Lichess Study | CoachMate |
|---|---|---|
| Talk and teach | Use Zoom for the call and Lichess for the board | Classroom and video tools in the same workspace with Solo |
| Prepare positions | Study chapters, annotations and PGN | Lesson builder and game library |
| Student arrival | Share the call and study access instructions | Share private student or session invitation links |
| Live practice | Choose and organise the game workflow alongside the study | Pair a Solo class from the teaching position |
| Capacity | Check each service and plan | Solo: six students per class; one live room at a time |
| Cost | Lichess studies are free; check Zoom's current plan | Free preparation tools; Solo for live classes and simuls |
When Zoom + Lichess makes sense
Keep a workflow your students already understand if you mostly discuss positions and annotated games. Lichess Study supports collaborative analysis, chapters, annotations and PGN export. Zoom provides the call and screen-sharing tools. Check permissions and plan conditions for your group.
You may prefer that combination if the flexibility of separate tools matters more than managing the lesson workflow in a single place.
When CoachMate makes sense
Consider CoachMate when the repeated work is inviting students, preparing a lesson, moving into practice and keeping the activity with the student group. The live class, private tournament and simul tools are part of that workflow.
Solo is a one-coach setup with one live room at a time. A coach who needs several concurrent classes should resolve that requirement before subscribing. Do not choose it solely for a feature you have not tried.
Try one complete lesson before switching
This is a suggested evaluation, not a measured performance benchmark. We have not assigned scores or claimed a time saving.
- Prepare the same short position in both workflows.
- Ask one student to join using your normal instructions.
- Explain a move, let the student practise and save the material you need next time.
- Compare the interruptions you encountered, not just the number of features on a list.
Sources and review date
Reviewed on 17 October 2026. Lichess functionality is described from its official introduction to Study; Zoom from its Meetings product page. CoachMate descriptions reflect its product limits and current teaching flows. Prices and third-party limits can change, so check the linked sources.