The internet has enabled things we may never have thought possible, from instant access to almost any piece of information to online ordering of anything your heart desires.
But you can also play anything your heart desires.
Thousands of games are available online, so you’ll never be bored.
The problem? You might end up broke.
Fortunately, there are plenty of free games available. Whether you want to save money or just prefer not to spend on video games, there are lots of choices.
For instance, you can find everything from action to strategy, casual to competitive. There are hundreds of free online games to play, and these games are some of the best choices.
Classic Casual Games
If you have a few minutes to kill, you can’t go wrong with classic casual games. These games are easy to pick up, and they never really get old.
The best thing about classic casual games is you can usually find free options. That might be on your phone, your computer, or online. This is one of the easiest categories of games to find for free.
1. Solitaire
If you’re looking for free games to play online, why mess with the classics? Solitaire is one of my favorite time wasters, and I know that’s true for a lot of people.
Solitaire comes in many forms, such as Klondike (classic), Spider solitaire, and FreeCell. You can play Solitaire on Windows or on your phone, but you can also find free online game sites that feature it.
2. Mahjong
Mahjong is a tile-based game that is popular in many parts of the world. This is also a classic that has been around since the 19th century. The game was first developed in China and spread throughout the world since then.
Mahjong is a four-player game, though there are also three-player variations of the game. The tiles in Mahjong look a bit like dominoes. The object of the game is to complete a legal hand with your tiles.
There are many places you can play Mahjong online for free. You might also find Mahjong events on Meetup, Eventbrite, or Facebook.
3. Wordle
Wordle is definitely one of my favorite free online games. Even after the initial craze died down, my wife and I still love to play it every morning.
If you haven’t played Wordle, the concept is very simple: you get six guesses to guess a five-letter word. Letters you guess correctly in the right place will be green, while letters that are a part of the word but are in the wrong place are yellow.
Wordle used to be an independent game, but now it’s part of the New York Times website. I find it a great way to start the day.
4. Candy Crush Saga
Candy Cash Saga is one of the most popular free online games. The goal is to swap candy pieces to make a match of three or more of the same color.
If you clear out enough pieces, leaving large patches of one color, you can potentially create huge combos, allowing you to score a ton of points.
Different boards can have different goals, like collecting a certain number of one type of candy. You usually must complete goals within a certain number of moves.
While you can pay for upgrades and special actions, it’s possible to play the game completely for free. The best way is to download the app on iOS or Android.
Action-Packed Adventures
Need something to get the adrenaline flowing? Action and adventure games are packed with excitement and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Free online games in this category often require fast reflexes, strategic thinking, or a willingness to explore. In other words, these games are for you if you want a thrilling experience that is never boring.
Several types of games could fall into this category, including platformers, first-person shooters, or open-world/survival games.
For instance, we had a ton of fun playing Super Mario Bros.™ Wonder, which returns to Mario’s side-scrolling roots. Here are some examples of free action-packed games to play online.
5. Dinosaur Game
You might have seen the Dinosaur Game on Google Chrome, especially if you’ve ever had connection woes. In fact, I discovered it myself back in 2015 when I couldn’t get online:
This is an example of an “endless runner” where levels generate dynamically for an infinite challenge. In this game, the dinosaur moves to the right, and you must jump to avoid obstacles like birds and the occasional cactus.
I guess by definition this is not an offline game, but you can find plenty of online versions. Various websites let you play this game online for free, and it’s a great way to pass the time.
Multiplayer Madness
Playing games on your own can be plenty of fun, but it can be even more enjoyable to play with other people! It can be a lot of fun competing or collaborating with others in online games.
Some of the most popular multiplayer games are unfortunately not free, but there are some exceptions. Here’s a quick look at the best free multiplayer games.
6. Fortnite
Fortnite is a cross-platform free-to-play game. In this game, you can compete in six game modes, including Battle Royale, with up to 100 players. The goal is to be the last one standing among the field of players.
When I first fired this game up on my Nintendo Switch OLED, I immediately noticed how responsive and intuitive it is.
In Battle Royale, one way to survive is to build your own fortress and defend your position. Of course, that’s easier said than done, but it can be a lot of fun to try to be the last one standing.
Other game modes include Fortnite: Save the World, a tower defense shooter, and Fortnite Creative, where players can create worlds and battle arenas.
The game developer Epic Games also develops Unreal Engine, one of the most popular game engines.
7. Roblox
Roblox is an online game platform that lets players create and play games with others. Although Roblox has been around since 2006, it grew to widespread popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The platform features multiple genres of user-created games and uses the free-to-play model. This means that while you can play it for free, it also lets you make in-game purchases.
To do so, you use the in-game currency, called Robux. You can use Robux to buy and sell items, as well as to deck out your avatar.
It’s worth noting that Roblox’s player base is younger than some other games. So, while it’s a great game, it tends to be better for younger players.
8. Destiny 2
Destiny 2 is a free-to-play first-person shooter that was originally a pay-to-play game. While Destiny 2 is a first-person shooter, it has elements of player vs. environment (PvE) and player vs. player (PvP) elements.
In the game, you can play one of three classes, each with its own unique abilities. There are also super abilities, which let you use extra-powerful attacks during battles. This helps you destroy enemies and protect allies.
The game features elements like three-player strikes and six-player raids. This makes it a great way to cooperate with other players to work toward a common goal.
The game is available on numerous platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, and Windows.
Strategy Games
If adrenaline-packed madness isn’t your speed, perhaps strategy games are a better fit. These games are perfect if you enjoy problem-solving, planning, and resource management.
Now, I’m not saying strategy games can’t be exciting. They definitely can. But they rely less on fast reflexes and more on fast thinking.
In this category, you have choices like tower defense games, real-time strategy (RTS) games, and city-building simulations. Here are some of the best picks.
9. Dota 2
Dota 2 is an online battle arena game in which five-player teams defend their bases. Valve developed the game, although people usually associate the company’s name with Steam, the online game platform.
The first Dota game was originally a Warcraft III mod, but Dota is now a game of its own. Each team in Dota 2 has a hero with unique abilities.
Dota 2 teams get points for defeating the team’s hero, but the main goal is to destroy the other team’s Ancient, which is a structure inside the opposing team’s base.
If you enjoy tower defense-style games, Dota 2 is worth checking out.
10. Shadowverse
Shadowverse is a collectible card game (CCG) with anime-style art. In the game, you and an opponent take turns with the goal of taking down the other player’s defense to zero.
The Shadowverse developer, Cygames, says there are over 400 cards and countless combinations of cards.
The game was first released in 2016 and uses the free-to-play model. It has been compared favorably to Hearthstone, the 2014 game.
11. Crusader Kings II
Crusader Kings II is a strategy game in which you control a medieval dynasty from 1066 to 1453. You can start on any date from 1066 to 1337.
First released in 2012, the game became free to play in 2019. The game’s objectives are somewhat open-ended, with the only goal being to obtain as many prestige and piety points as possible. In doing so, you aim to outdo historical European dynasties.
If you imagine yourself controlling and creating a dominant dynasty, this game might be for you.
Finding the Best Free Online Games
There are many places to find free online games. For instance, you can find them on Steam, on Windows, on Google Play and the Apple App Store, or on various websites.
However, if you get your games from websites, using vetted sites is best. Websites like Arkadium, Pogo, Agame, and CrazyGames are some examples of websites for finding legitimate free online games.
In addition, some websites specialize in certain game genres. Depending on your preference, you may find some websites are better than others.
One round-about way to get free online games is with free Xbox gift cards. This is a way to potentially get paid games for free with enough dedication and patience.
Bottom Line
Although some of the most popular games cost money, there are hundreds of games available for free. Some free games may use the “freemium” or free-to-play model, where they are free to download but have in-game purchases.
However, it’s still possible to play these games without spending money.
Other free online games are completely free with no incentive to spend money. These can be better for people who want to play totally for free because they don’t disadvantage free players.
Whichever you prefer, it’s possible to find free online games. Just be sure to properly vet the games, as some can occasionally be scams. As long as you do that, you can easily play for hours without spending a dime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are free-to-play games really free?
Free-to-play games, or freemium games, are typically free to download, and you can play them without ever spending money. However, these games often sell special items or upgrades that you either can’t obtain for free or that would take a significant amount of time to obtain for free. This often gives players who spend money a significant advantage.
However, some free-to-play games may make money with in-game ads that reward players for watching. This is common with mobile games. In these cases, your in-game experience is less limited; you only have to tolerate in-game ads.
Is it safe to play free online games?
In many cases, it is completely safe to play free online games. These games are either meant to be free or may incentivize but not require in-game purchases.
However, in some cases, free online games may contain malware or other malicious content. This is why it’s important to vet your games and the websites that host them.
How can I get free games legally?
There are many places where you can get free games legally. You can find them on Google Play and the Apple App Store and on various websites like Arkadium, Pogo, and Agame. You can also find free online games on platforms like Steam.
However, it’s best to use vetted websites and games, as less well-known games and sites could have malicious or untrustworthy content.
