Free Online Games to Play With Friends, With No Download

Getting friends together for a game is usually the hard part. One person has the wrong console, another has no storage left, and someone else doesn't want to make yet another account. Free online games that run in a browser get around most of that, because everyone already has a browser.

This guide covers games for the same room, ways to play when you are apart, and how to pick a game that suits the whole group.

Two ways to play together

It helps to know what kind of playing together you are after, as games labelled for friends can mean very different things.

• Same device: you share one screen and take turns. Nothing needs to be set up, but you must be in the same room or sharing your screen.
• Online: each person plays on their own device, connected through a server. You can be anywhere, but everyone needs a connection and the game has to support it.
• Side by side: everyone plays the same game on their own device and compares scores. It works for almost any game, and needs nothing special from the game at all.

Best games for the same room

These work on a single phone, tablet or laptop. Our Couch rivals list gathers games that are good for passing the device across the sofa.

• Hive Holdfast: two colonies fight over one honeycomb. Choose to play a friend and take turns. Easy to learn, but with real strategy.
• Seed Circle: an old counting game that also works against a friend. A game takes only a few minutes.
• Quiz Comet: take turns playing a round of ten questions and see who scores more.

Playing together when you are apart

Distance makes things harder, though you still have several good options.

Share a screen on a video call

Start a video call, share your screen and open a turn-based game such as Hive Holdfast. One person makes the moves while the other calls them out. It is surprisingly fun, and it is the simplest way to play together at a distance, because it needs no special game support.

Run a score challenge

Pick a game with a clear score, such as Star Sentry, Orbit Hopper or Dune Drifter. Everyone plays on their own device, then shares a screenshot in the group chat. Your personal bests are recorded on the Hall of bests page in your browser.

Solve the same daily puzzle

The Daily Sudoku gives a new puzzle each day. Ask your friends to try it too, and compare how you got on over a message. It is a pleasant reason to stay in touch.

Try online games

Hotwire Harbor, a cartoon caper for older players, is built with an online mode where drivers race to grab the Hot Bag. If its server can't be reached, the city still works as a solo game. The licensed .io games in our catalogue are another option: they drop you into a shared arena, though you usually meet whoever else is playing and not necessarily your friends.

How to pick a game everyone will enjoy

• Match the group: choose a simple game if some of you rarely play.
• Check everyone's device first. If one friend is on an older phone, choose a card or puzzle game and not a fast action game.
• Pick a short game. A round of a few minutes makes it easy to say "one more" and gives the loser a quick rematch.
• Agree on any rules before you start, including what counts as a win.
• Mind the age of the group. Turn on Family Mode on the Brovy Pass page if children are joining, and remember that it can miss some games.

A few quick game-night ideas

• Hive Holdfast tournament: everyone plays everyone, and the winner chooses the next game.
• Quiz Comet relay: pass the device around and add up the team scores.
• Daily puzzle league: compare results every day for a week.
• High-score hour: everyone gets one hour to set the best Star Sentry score.

Common questions