28 best free multiplayer games for PC and phones in 2023

Among the best free games, one of the most common category to find is the multiplayer games, whether it is on PC or on smartphones. Its main advantage is the possibility of gaming with a lot of your friends without having them need to spend any money to join the team.

On the other hand, a lot of them end up unbalancing the matches due to paid items that make the opponent almost invincible. For that reason, we have selected some of the best options that go easy on free-to-play users and can make anyone have a lot of fun, even if they don’t spend anything.

The best free PC multiplayer games

Overwatch

One of the best online PC games, Overwatch is a first-person shooter that shook the conventions of the genre, making it so that hero-shooters became a staple in today’s gaming landscape. Instead of following the stride of military simulators, the title took us into the near future in a game filled with charismatic characters and unique weapons and skills.

In other words, Overwatch requires the player to forget the conventional tactics of military combat and swap it for a dynamic and simple game, but with great depth for those who want to play competitively. Overwatch can be played on PC, Mac, PS4 and Xbox One.

1. Towerfall: Ascension

A party game making its entry in a list of best multiplayer games. Away from the spotlight of popular multiplayer games like Overwatch and League of Legends, TowerFall: Ascension brings an interesting idea, inspired by retro games with modern elements. Following the pattern of 2D platform games, instead of jumping on turtles to save kidnapped princesses, the title puts players to play in matches in which whoever survives, wins. TowerFall: Ascension can be played on PC, Playstation 4, Android, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One.

2. N.O.V.A 3

This shooting franchise is one of the most demanding out of your processing power among the multiplayer mobile games on this list, so we highly recommend that you have a phone with good specs to run this title. A futuristic FPS, N.O.V.A 3 features a single player campaign mode, but it shines in its multiplayer mode, with 7 game modes that hold up to 12 players simultaneously. The game is exclusive for iPhone and iPad.

3. Borderlands 3

With a formula that mixes RPG, open-world shooters, and highly charismatic characters, Borderlands 3 is one of the most played multiplayer games to date, even though its launch took place in 2019. In an open world full of missions and treasures, you can team up with a friend online or at home to explore this universe. Borderlands 3 can be played on computers or on Xbox One and Playstation 4 consoles.

4. Don’t Starve Together

An expansion to the game Don’t Starve, this title now allows playing other people. One of the best survival games ever released, the dark and artistic title puts the protagonists in a series of parallel and dangerous worlds.

In it, they must find and collect basic elements to spend the night, such as food, water, and materials to build a shelter before dark, while surviving throught all four seasons. Don’t Starve Together is available for PCs and Playstation 4. Click on the link to learn more about the game.

5. Vainglory

A MOBA created for smartphones and tablets, Vainglory follows the mold of League of Legends, but with improved controls for the screen of mobile devices. The title has over 40 selectable heroes, who are grouped in teams and must destroy the enemy base while defending yours.

Vainglory has online championships and friendly matches, serving both casual players and those who wish to become professional in eSports. The game can be played either on Android devices or iPhone and iPad.

6. Dota 2

Dota 2 is one of the most popular multiplayer games in the world, despite being only downloadable on computers. Sequel to the game that created the genre called MOBA, the game unites teams of people who must compete to destroy each other’s base, while defending their own. For this, each one must choose a character with different characteristics and abilities, working as a team to reach the objective. Click on the link to learn more about the title.

7. Mortal Kombat XL

The definitive edition of the best Mortal Kombat titles released a few years ago brings all the maps and characters released, such as the icons of the horror films Jason and the Predator. With one of the best stories of fighting games, the title’s multiplayer mode is also not lacking. In addition to regular online matches, the game features events that can change the rules of combat. Mortal Kombat XL can be played on PC, Xbox One and Playstation 4.

8. Street Fighter V

The current edition of the most popular fighting games in history follows on from the street fighter tournament, but bringing new looks to classic characters. With new systems that make the fights more dynamic than its predecessor, Street Fighter V reduced the number of characters but brought a new story mode.

The multiplayer area has not had many changes compared to its predecessor, but it is always worth remembering that the game community is one of the largest and most passionate, which can inspire you to search for the strongest in face-to-face tournaments or over the internet. Street Fighter V is available for PC and Playstation 4.

9. Battlefield 1

One of the latest editions of the shooting game franchise, Battlefield 1 innovates by taking the player to the battlefields of the First World War. This includes horses, mustard gas grenades and the clumsy tanks of the time. Players can compete in battles with up to 64 players fighting simultaneously in game modes that include capture-the-flag and territory conquests, among others. Battlefield 1 can be played on PC, Xbox One or Playstation 4.

10. Monopoly

Known in other places by other names, Monopoly can also be played through mobile devices with Android or on the iPhone. The game is similar to its original board version and has the advantage of being able to be played online, via Bluetooth or even on a single device, passing the mobile to the hand of the next player after his turn.

11. Worms 2 – Armageddon

Originally released for computers, Worms 2 – Armageddon brings the fun and explosive worms to the screens of mobile devices. Played in rounds, you must use the weapons and powers of your earthworms to annihilate the opposing team.

Like Monopoly, the game can be played by up to four players on the same device. Worms 2 – Armageddon can be downloaded on Android or iPhone and iPad.

12. Planetside 2

Those who play this shooter for the first time can get surprised due to how large its map is and how great its graphics are, making it not seem at all to be a free game.

After you make your character and designate it to one of the factions that fight amongst themselves, you’re thrown into a giant map divided in sectors with territories that belong to each of the clans fighting in the battle.

Here, you can for instance set up large-scale attacks with other players or plan an ambush for an enemy caravan that’s going through territories near yours, among a lot of other options. Follow this link to learn more about it.

13. Star Wars: The Old Republic

Also found among the best free PC games, Star Wars: The Old Republic portrays the most famous fictional galaxy around in a past that happened before the official movies and TV shows.

You’ll be placed within the franchise’s universe, after which you will be able to choose what kind of character to create, whether it is a Jedi knight, a bounty hunter, a military official, and many other options.

New expansions and stories are constantly released, which lets the players feel like they’re actually a part of the story. Go to the official website for the game to download it!

14. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds

With a premise that resembles the Hunger Games films and the book Battle Royale, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is an independent game that puts a group of players on a totally uneven map. They must travel the island looking for weapons and materials, building their own equipment.

At the same time, they need to be alert to not be attacked by other participants in the match. The title is available in most platforms, including mobile.

15. Rift

Just like Star Wars: The Old Republic, Rift is a multiplayer game where you will be able to explore a vast universe alongside thousands of other players. However, unlike the aforementioned option, Rift comes with an entirely original world that’s inspired by the medieval fantasy worlds.

The game offers events in certain areas of the map and makes the players unite to fight against larger threats, or to simply fight against themselves, for instance. One of its biggest appeals is that you can change the class and specialization of your character whenever you want, something really uncommon to see. Follow this link to learn more about it!

16. Portal 2

Unlike most multiplayer games on this list, Portal 2 is a game that requires intelligence, and quick thinking and is focused on problem-solving. The title brings challenges that must be overcome cooperatively, with each player carrying a weapon that creates teleport portals from one corner to another.

Each new stage brings more dangers to the crossing, demanding more and more reasoning from each one. Portal 2 is available for PCs, Xbox 360, and Playstation 3. Click on the link to learn more about the title.

17. Rocket League

One of the most innovative multiplayer games in the last decade, Rocket League mixes car racing with football or basketball matches. Commanding cars capable of performing jumps and maneuvers, you and your team must use them to hit balls and score points, whether by shooting them at goals or hoops, according to the sport of your preference. Rocket League is available for PC, Playstation 4 and Xbox One. Be sure to check out the trailer video below to understand the unusual proposal of the title.

18. Lord of the Rings Online

While Star Wars: The Old Republic is one of the best free multiplayer games for those who are really into the franchise made by George Lucas, Lord of the Rings Online lets the J.R.R Tolkien fans explore the Middle-earth of the The Lord of the Rings world.

You will be able to create characters in one of the races created by the South-African author, to explore its fantastic world, completing missions, and taking part in battles to save the world. And occasionally meet iconic characters such as Frodo, Sam, Aragorn, and Legolas. Follow this link to learn more about it.

19. Minecraft

One of the biggest phenomena today, there is no platform that does not have a version of Minecraft. Despite the graphics considered ugly, the title allows its players to build anything with the blocks available around the world where their character is located.

You hardly know a child who has never played Minecraft, although the exercise of creativity is also recommended for people of all ages. Learn more about Minecraft on its official website and find out which version is best for you.

20. Team Fortress 2

Even though it was released almost 10 years ago, Team Fortress 2 still has an active community that loves the game. The team-based shooter brings a lot of different characters with unique talents, each with their own iconic charisma, which has resulted in a large number of memes created by the fans.

The matches typically involve the classic deathmatch. That is, annihilate all your rivals to win the game. Team Fortress 2 is a great option among the best online games that you can easily play on any PC. Learn more about it on the official website.

21. Real Boxing

Among the best multiplayer games, the most popular boxing game for Android and iOS, Real Boxing can also be classified as one of the best multiplayer games on our list. The game allows you to play simultaneous matches with friends and participate in online tournaments, in addition to the various single player modes, equipment and customizations.

22. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

One of the first games to feature a professional competitive scene in the past decade. Counter-Strike evolved into Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and established its reign as the most played and competitive shooter in the world, with tournaments earning thousands of dollars for competing teams.

Away from the competitive scene, the dispute between terrorists versus counter-terrorists continues to be fought on the producer’s servers, maintaining the entire base of the series, but with new maps and the possibility of getting customizations for your weapons, which can even be exchanged or sold on the Steam store. Click on the link to learn more about Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, one of the best shooting games for PC.

The best free smartphone multiplayer games

23. Mortal Kombat X

The tenth edition of Mortal Kombat managed to surpass all the previous ones and is considered by many – this writer included – as the best Mortal Kombat ever released. Taking place 20 years after the original story, the game features children of iconic characters like Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade along with well-known figures like Scorpion and Raiden fighting a new threat to the planet. Its multiplayer mode allows local matches against friends or online disputes with players around the world. Online events are also hosted frequently and bring variations to “kombats”.

The title can be played on PC, Xbox One, or PS4, and its mobile version is also a fighting game, but with a different feel, allowing you to collect characters like a mobile card game and assemble teams of three to overcome challenges. The mobile edition of Mortal Kombat X can be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store.

24. Spaceteam

With a very unique premise, Spaceteam is essentially a cooperative game that you can play with up to 8 simultaneous players. The players – each on their phone or tablet – must execute instructions given by their own mates to ensure their ship won’ explode.

All that to say, the game lets its players improve skills such as teamwork and coordination. Download Spaceteam for Android by following this link, and for iOS devices by following this link. Just to top it off, you can play with your friends regardless of your platform!

25. Vast Survival

More commonly found in computers, the survival games are really rare for mobile devices. However, options such as Vast Survival let us put all the knowledge we’ve acquired from reality shows such as Bear Grylls to the test without the need of us actually going through the same unpleasant situations.

Here, you have to grow food, create weapons and gear to defend yourself in an open world. But you won’t be alone, since you will share this world with other players that can decide to work as a team or to wreck you to get your equipment. Vast Survival can be downloaded for Android and for iOS devices.

26. Clash Royale

Regarded as the best game in 2016 both for Android and for iOS, Clash Royal merges the mechanics found in TCG games with the competitive League of Legends matches. The difference is in the matches, where you won’t have the heroes, and you’ll fight in one-on-one duels, making it much more like Hearthstone.

The player must use a card deck to summon characters and skills to destroy the opponent’s towers as well as decent their own. It’s one of the most competitive options of the best free multiplayer games for smartphones! Download what is one of the best free Android games by going to the Play Store or to the App Store devices.

27. Hearthstone

One of the few games that can be played on both PC and mobile devices, Hearthstone is a digital card game based on the World of Warcraft universe. Simulating a kind of card game played in the taverns of the franchise universe, you must build a deck with the main characters and magic of the game world to duel against opponents.

The objective is to reduce their life points to zero or make them use up all their cards before you do. Check out more about the game on its page, where you can download both the computer version and the Android or iOS version.

28. Clash of Clans

One of the greatest strategy games for Android, Clash of Clans allows players to assemble an army of cartoon characters inspired by Norse mythology. As you set up your base and build your army, you can challenge other players’ bases by invading them and taking their resources as you destroy their buildings.

The title also yielded the competitive Clash Royale, which is also an excellent multiplayer game. Download Clash of Clans on Android via the link or follow this shortcut to download it on Apple mobile devices.

Which ones of the best free multiplayer games have you played?

Let us know in the comments if you’d ever played any of these, or even heard of them! Don’t forget to also check out our list of the best websites to download games and the best couch co-op games for PC!