28 Best Board Games for Mobile (2026): Pass & Play, Online, Solo

The best board games for mobile are Ticket to Ride, Ark Nova and Dominion. Ticket to Ride is the best all-rounder. Ark Nova is the best deep game to play alone. Dominion is the best free pick, with no ads on its Google Play listing.

One pattern we did not expect: Dire Wolf Digital made the five highest-rated paid picks on Google Play. They are Ark Nova, Dune: Imperium, Cascadia, Root and Everdell.

On 1 October 2026 we pulled the live US Google Play listing for 73 board game apps. 40 passed our filters. Of the 28 picks below, 17 cost money up front ($2.99 to $9.99), 11 are free, and 6 show ads. We sorted them by who you will play with, because that decides which app you need.

In a hurry? Jump to: quick picks · pick in 30 seconds · play alone · one phone, two people · online with friends · family and kids · best for two · comparison table · storage · does everyone need to buy it? · also good · popular elsewhere, checked · kids and money · how we checked · bottom line

Quick picks: the best board game for you

You want	Play this	The catch
Best all-rounder	Ticket to Ride	$4.99. Extra maps cost more. Play score 4.29
Best deep game, alone	Ark Nova	$7.58. Heavy rules. Top Play score (4.92)
Best free, no ads	Dominion	Expansions cost extra
Cheapest for two on one phone	Kingdomino Deluxe	$2.99. Only 349 ratings
Best for a war game night	RISK: Global Domination	Free with ads. Shop up to $119.99
Chess with friends	Chess.com	Free, with ads and upsells
Word game with friends	Scrabble GO	Free, with ads. Shop up to $299.99
Family night	Clue: Classic Edition	$5.99. Extras cost more
A Catan fix	Colonist	Not the official Catan app

Which one in 30 seconds?

• Playing alone? Ark Nova if you like big rules. Dominion if you want free.
• One friend, one phone? Kingdomino Deluxe or the free Hive.
• Friends far away? Ticket to Ride has private online games and slow games over days.
• Kids? Clue: Classic Edition or UNO Wonder. Set a purchase password first.
• Short on storage? Many of these are 400 MB to 1.5 GB on iPhone. See storage.

Every pick below lists the same things: price, ads, in-app purchases, rating, last update, iPhone size and the play modes named on its listing. We did not quote prices for the physical boxes.

Play alone: the best computer opponents

Short answer: Ark Nova is the best board game app to play alone. Its developer names a solo mode against the AI, and it has the highest Play score of any paid pick (4.92).

These games have a computer player, automated rivals or a solo mode.

1. Ark Nova

Build a zoo. Save animals. Beat a smart computer.

• Price on Google Play: $7.58 · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: none
• Play rating: 4.92 from 2,289 ratings · Last update: 11 September 2026
• iPhone: $7.99 · 4.85 from 1,214 ratings · 715 MB download
• Modes named: solo against the AI, online, pass and play (all three on the developer's Ark Nova page)

What you get: The highest Play rating of any pick on this page. The listing says the game has 255 cards. That is the full board game, not a small version.

The catch: It is a thinking game with a lot of rules. Plan on a long first match. It has only 10,000+ installs, so it is a quiet corner of Google Play.

Tip: Play the tutorial first. Do not skip it.

Get it: Ark Nova on Google Play · App Store.

2. Dune: Imperium Digital

Fight for Arrakis with cards and workers.

• Price on Google Play: $7.14 · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: $9.99 - $10.99
• Play rating: 4.88 from 9,549 ratings · Last update: 1 October 2026
• iPhone: $6.99 · 4.88 from 4,912 ratings · 843 MB download
• Modes named: online, locally with AI, or against House Hagal, a solo opponent

What you get: A deck-building and worker-placement game with a computer rival. The listing adds more than a dozen challenges.

The catch: The listing shows in-app items at $9.99 - $10.99. Neither the listing nor the developer page names pass and play. Treat it as not confirmed.

Tip: If you want the base game only, check the store page before you tap buy on anything extra.

Get it: Dune: Imperium Digital on Google Play · App Store.

3. Root

A war game where every side plays by different rules.

• Price on Google Play: $4.00 · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: $5.99 - $9.99
• Play rating: 4.84 from 11,408 ratings · Last update: 7 March 2026
• iPhone: $3.99 · 4.88 from 5,787 ratings · 530 MB download
• Modes named: not named on the Play listing. The developer page names co-op play and a Clockwork expansion with four automated factions

What you get: Root is a 2 to 4 player war game. It is the cheapest Dire Wolf pick here at $4.00. 4.84 stars from 11,408 Play ratings, and the iPhone score is 4.88.

The catch: The listing does not name solo, pass and play or online modes, so we mark them not confirmed. Expansions are in-app items from $5.99 - $9.99. The Clockwork bots are one of those expansions, per the developer page.

Tip: Learn the Marquise de Cat first. The four sides play very differently.

Get it: Root on Google Play · App Store.

4. Raiders of the North Sea

Row a longship. Raid villages. Pick up gold and fame.

• Price on Google Play: $5.00 · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: none
• Play rating: 4.60 from 989 ratings · Last update: 15 April 2026
• iPhone: $4.99 · 4.66 from 681 ratings · 272 MB download
• Modes named: single-player games against AI opponents, plus multiplayer (type not named)

What you get: A worker-placement game with a clean price: $5.00, no ads and no in-app purchases. Play score 4.60.

The catch: Only 989 Play ratings, and the listing does not say whether multiplayer is online or on one phone. That part is not confirmed.

Get it: Raiders of the North Sea on Google Play · App Store.

5. Wingspan

Collect birds. Lay eggs. Build the best nature reserve.

• Price on Google Play: $9.99 · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: $4.99 - $44.99
• Play rating: 4.61 from 9,656 ratings · Last update: 1 September 2026
• iPhone: $9.99 · 4.84 from 12,998 ratings · 1,096 MB download
• Modes named: single player and multiplayer for up to five players

What you get: A calm game with 170 birds, according to the listing. It is easy to start and hard to master.

The catch: You pay $9.99 and the shop still lists items up to $44.99. The listing does not say whether the multiplayer is online, local or both. That is not confirmed.

Get it: Wingspan on Google Play · App Store.

6. Everdell

Build a tiny woodland city, one season at a time.

• Price on Google Play: $5.49 · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: $5.99 - $8.99
• Play rating: 4.81 from 3,063 ratings · Last update: 20 May 2026
• iPhone: $4.99 · 4.82 from 2,844 ratings · 403 MB download
• Modes named: cross-platform multiplayer, AI play, and solo challenges

What you get: A friendly worker-placement game. The listing says you can play against the AI or take on solo challenges.

The catch: The Play price is $5.49 but the iPhone price is $4.99. The shop has items from $5.99 - $8.99. Pass and play is not confirmed.

Get it: Everdell on Google Play · App Store.

7. Through the Ages

Grow a tribe into a world power.

• Price on Google Play: $9.99 · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: $4.99
• Play rating: 4.77 from 15,018 ratings · Last update: 17 August 2026
• iPhone: $9.99 · 4.88 from 5,142 ratings · 197 MB download
• Modes named: AI opponents on several levels, and online games with ELO matching

What you get: A top-rated big strategy game: 4.77 stars from 15,018 Play ratings. It is also one of the smaller downloads here at 197 MB on iPhone.

The catch: It costs $9.99. Matches are long and the rules are deep. Pass and play is not confirmed.

Get it: Through the Ages on Google Play · App Store.

One phone, two people: pass and play

Short answer: For one phone, pick Kingdomino Deluxe ($2.99), Hive (free) or Ticket to Ride. All three name pass or couch play.

Pass and play means you hand the phone back and forth. One copy of the app is enough. It is the cheapest way to play with someone in the same room.

Every game below names pass and play (or local play on one device) on its listing or developer page.

8. Ticket to Ride

Claim train routes. Block your friend. Win the map.

• Price on Google Play: $4.99 · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: $1.99 - $49.99
• Play rating: 4.29 from 4,961 ratings · Last update: 22 September 2026
• iPhone: $4.99 · 4.60 from 11,641 ratings · 959 MB download
• Modes named: single-player AI, online matches, private online games with friends, slow "asynchronous" games over days, and couch play

What you get: Five modes on one listing. You can learn against the AI, then play a friend far away.

The catch: It costs $4.99, and the shop lists items from $1.99 - $49.99. The extra maps are where that money goes. The Play score (4.29) is lower than the iPhone score (4.60). A separate Ticket to Ride Companion app is not the game.

Tip: Try a private online game with someone on a different phone. The listing says it notifies you when it is your turn.

Get it: Ticket to Ride on Google Play · App Store.

9. Cascadia Digital

Build a wild habitat with tiles and animal tokens.

• Price on Google Play: $6.89 · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: none
• Play rating: 4.87 from 1,213 ratings · Last update: 16 April 2026
• iPhone: $6.99 · 4.92 from 1,123 ratings · 741 MB download
• Modes named: solo, online, pass and play, family mode, 15 solo scenarios (see the developer's Cascadia page)

What you get: No ads and no in-app purchases for $6.89. 4.87 stars from 1,213 Play ratings.

The catch: It has only 5,000+ installs. The developer page does not clearly mention computer opponents, so solo means scenarios, not a bot rival. Not confirmed.

Get it: Cascadia Digital on Google Play · App Store.

10. Kingdomino Deluxe

Snap domino tiles together to build a kingdom.

• Price on Google Play: $2.99 · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: $1.99 - $6.49
• Play rating: 4.44 from 349 ratings · Last update: 29 September 2026
• iPhone: $2.99 · 4.85 from 208 ratings · 422 MB download
• Modes named: online multiplayer, private matches with friends, AI opponents, and pass and play on one device

What you get: Matches take 10 to 20 minutes, says the listing. At $2.99 it is the cheapest paid pick here.

The catch: Only 349 Play ratings, so the score can move. The shop has items from $1.99 - $6.49.

Get it: Kingdomino Deluxe on Google Play · App Store.

11. Monopoly

The classic game, licensed by Hasbro, on one phone.

• Price on Google Play: $4.99 · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: $0.99 - $59.99
• Play rating: 4.12 from 140,980 ratings · Last update: 15 September 2026
• iPhone: $4.99 · 4.66 from 185,449 ratings · 986 MB download
• Modes named: single player against AI offline, pass and play on one device, online with friends, online multiplayer

What you get: Pass and play is named on the listing. 4.12 stars from 140,980 ratings is a big crowd.

The catch: You pay $4.99 and the shop still lists items up to $59.99. Monopoly games are long, even on a phone.

Tip: This is a different app from MONOPOLY GO! See the table of popular apps we left out.

Get it: Monopoly on Google Play · App Store.

12. RISK: Global Domination

Take over the map. Make deals. Break them.

• Price on Google Play: Free · Ads: yes, listed · In-app purchases: $1.69 - $119.99
• Play rating: 4.32 from 357,378 ratings · Last update: 19 April 2026
• iPhone: Free · 4.74 from 188,037 ratings · 1,564 MB download
• Modes named: single player, pass and play, ranked and casual online, private games with friends (listed on Hasbro's Risk page and Google Play)

What you get: A huge crowd: 357,378 Play ratings at 4.32 stars. The listing says there are 120+ maps, and that purchases unlock maps or cosmetics, not power.

The catch: It is free but it has ads, and the shop goes up to $119.99. The listing says one purchase unlocks more maps. Games are long, like the box.

Tip: The iPhone download is 1,564 MB, the biggest on this page. Check space first.

Get it: RISK: Global Domination on Google Play · App Store.

13. Tokaido

Walk the road to Edo. Collect views, food and souvenirs.

• Price on Google Play: $4.99 · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: none
• Play rating: 4.35 from 2,176 ratings · Last update: 17 February 2026
• iPhone: $4.99 · 4.14 from 240 ratings · 267 MB download
• Modes named: solo against the AI, pass and play, online multiplayer

What you get: A gentle game with no ads and no in-app purchases. The listing says it was made by the studio that published the board game, and the price is $4.99.

The catch: The Play score is 4.35 from 2,176 ratings. On iPhone it is 4.14 from only 240 ratings, so the crowd is small.

Get it: Tokaido on Google Play · App Store.

14. Istanbul: Digital Edition

Run a market. Trade goods. Be first to collect rubies.

• Price on Google Play: $6.99 · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: $5.99
• Play rating: 4.58 from 551 ratings · Last update: 24 July 2026
• iPhone: $6.99 · 4.74 from 455 ratings · 473 MB download
• Modes named: play with AI, with friends or both; pass and play; cross-platform online, live and over days

What you get: A deep trading game with three AI levels, says the listing. Play score 4.58.

The catch: It costs $6.99 and the shop has an item at $5.99. Only 551 Play ratings.

Get it: Istanbul: Digital Edition on Google Play · App Store.

15. Hive with AI

A bug battle with no board. Trap the queen bee.

• Price on Google Play: Free · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: $0.99 - $1.49
• Play rating: 4.82 from 5,625 ratings · Last update: 5 July 2026
• Modes named: AI on 6 levels, 2-player pass and play, online play shared with Board Game Arena, unlimited undo

What you get: A free two-player game with no ads on the listing. The listing says it saves several games at once.

The catch: It is for two players only. The shop has small items ($0.99 - $1.49). We found no matching iPhone app from the same developer, so the iPhone version is not confirmed.

Get it: Hive with AI on Google Play.

16. Star Realms

Build a space fleet from a deck of cards.

• Price on Google Play: Free · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: $0.99 - $119.99
• Play rating: 4.58 from 28,763 ratings · Last update: 25 September 2026
• iPhone: Free · 4.62 from 4,444 ratings · 494 MB download
• Modes named: AI on 3 levels, pass and play, online play with rankings, challenge a friend online

What you get: A fast card battle with a free download and no ads on the listing.

The catch: The shop goes up to $119.99. The listing mentions a "full game" with extra features. What the free version leaves out is not confirmed.

Get it: Star Realms on Google Play · App Store.

17. Dominion

Build a deck while you play. The game that started deck-building.

• Price on Google Play: Free · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: $1.99 - $119.99
• Play rating: 4.75 from 8,506 ratings · Last update: 12 March 2025
• iPhone: Free · 4.86 from 4,968 ratings · 443 MB download
• Modes named: solo against AI on 4 levels, up to 6 players online, pass and play, real-time and asynchronous online games, cross-platform

What you get: The listing says it is officially licensed and has up to 15 expansions. 4.75 stars from 8,506 ratings.

The catch: The last update was March 2025. That is older than the other picks, so it is our oldest listing. The shop goes up to $119.99.

Get it: Dominion on Google Play · App Store.

18. Castles of Mad King Ludwig

Buy rooms. Build the weirdest castle.

• Price on Google Play: $7.99 · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: none
• Play rating: 4.45 from 1,050 ratings · Last update: 8 September 2026
• iPhone: $7.99 · 4.52 from 356 ratings · 95 MB download
• Modes named: 2 to 4 players pass and play or computer matches, plus a campaign

What you get: A paid game with no ads and no purchases: $7.99 and that is it. It is also the smallest paid download here at 95 MB on iPhone.

The catch: Only 10,000+ installs. Whether it works offline is not confirmed.

Get it: Castles of Mad King Ludwig on Google Play · App Store.

19. Chess - Offline Board Game (GamoVation)

A plain chess app for one phone or an offline commute.

• Price on Google Play: Free · Ads: yes, listed · In-app purchases: $1.99 - $27.99
• Play rating: 4.83 from 1,145,261 ratings · Last update: 3 September 2026
• iPhone: Free · 4.91 from 67,738 ratings · 213 MB download
• Modes named: play the computer offline, two-player mode on one device

What you get: A big crowd: 1,145,261 Play ratings. The listing says you pick the computer level.

The catch: It has ads, and the shop goes up to $27.99. It is not a good pick for online play with friends.

Get it: Chess - Offline Board Game on Google Play · App Store.

Online with friends: play far apart

Short answer: For online play with friends, use Ticket to Ride, Chess.com or Colonist. All three name friend games. Free ones are easiest, because every player needs the app.

Online play needs every player to have the app. A free app makes that easy. A paid one is a small ask.

20. Chess.com

The big chess app, with a free 2-player mode.

• Price on Google Play: Free · Ads: yes, listed · In-app purchases: $1.00 - $229.99
• Play rating: 4.68 from 3,401,288 ratings · Last update: 30 September 2026
• iPhone: Free · 4.81 from 832,567 ratings · 466 MB download
• Modes named: online chess, bots, offline games, puzzles, lessons

What you get: The listing says 2-player online chess with friends is free. It also lists offline games against bots. 4.68 stars from 3,401,288 ratings.

The catch: It has ads, and the shop goes up to $229.99. The app pushes lessons and upgrades.

Get it: Chess.com on Google Play · App Store.

21. Codenames

Give one-word clues. Guess your team's words.

• Price on Google Play: $4.99 · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: $4.99
• Play rating: 4.74 from 3,497 ratings · Last update: 3 August 2026
• iPhone: $4.99 · 4.74 from 1,121 ratings · 231 MB download
• Modes named: turn-based multiplayer with friends or online opponents

What you get: A clever team game. One purchase of $4.99 and the listing promises no ads. The developer's text says the one-time purchase "unlocks a full experience."

The catch: It is turn-based online. Pass and play on one phone is not listed. Online needs your friends to have the app too.

Get it: Codenames on Google Play · App Store.

22. Ludo King

Roll the dice and race your four tokens home.

• Price on Google Play: Free · Ads: yes, listed · In-app purchases: $0.49 - $369.09
• Play rating: 4.14 from 10,324,747 ratings · Last update: 28 September 2026
• iPhone: Free · 3.73 from 18,989 ratings · 677 MB download
• Modes named: offline against the computer, local multiplayer on one phone for 2 to 6 players, online play for 2 to 6 players, Snakes and Ladders mode

What you get: The listing says no internet is needed for computer and local play. It has the biggest install band on this page: 1,000,000,000+ installs.

The catch: It has ads, and the shop goes up to $369.09. The Play score is 4.14. On iPhone it is 3.73.

Get it: Ludo King on Google Play · App Store.

23. Scrabble GO

The official Scrabble board, tiles and dictionaries.

• Price on Google Play: Free · Ads: yes, listed · In-app purchases: $0.49 - $299.99
• Play rating: 4.59 from 598,444 ratings · Last update: 1 October 2026
• iPhone: Free · 4.56 from 315,013 ratings · 304 MB download
• Modes named: solo word puzzles, head-to-head multiplayer duels, play with Facebook friends

What you get: The listing says it uses the official board, tiles and Scrabble dictionaries.

The catch: It has ads, and the shop goes up to $299.99. Whether it works offline is not confirmed.

Get it: Scrabble GO on Google Play · App Store.

24. Backgammon - Lord of the Board

Roll, race and bear off against real people.

• Price on Google Play: Free · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: $0.99 - $349.99
• Play rating: 4.23 from 316,323 ratings · Last update: 28 September 2026
• iPhone: Free · 4.46 from 88,503 ratings · 307 MB download
• Modes named: online play against real opponents; sign in with Facebook or Google to play with friends

What you get: A big online crowd: 316,323 ratings and 10,000,000+ installs.

The catch: The shop goes up to $349.99. It needs a Facebook or Google sign-in to play with friends. Offline play is not confirmed.

Get it: Backgammon - Lord of the Board on Google Play · App Store.

25. Colonist

A free alternative to Settlers of Catan.

• Price on Google Play: Free · Ads: yes, listed · In-app purchases: $4.99 - $239.99
• Play rating: 4.32 from 7,747 ratings · Last update: 31 July 2026
• iPhone: Free · 4.55 from 4,159 ratings · 34 MB download
• Modes named: bots, live online games with friends, ranked mode

What you get: The listing calls it a free online alternative to Settlers of Catan. It adds 5-6 and 7-8 player modes. It is also the smallest download on this page: 34 MB on iPhone.

The catch: It is not the official Catan app, and it has ads. The shop goes up to $239.99.

Get it: Colonist on Google Play · App Store.

Family and kids: easy rules, short games

Short answer: Clue: Classic Edition and UNO Wonder are the easiest to start. Both have shops, so set a purchase password first.

These pick up fast. Most take under a minute to explain.

26. Clue: Classic Edition

Find who did it, where, and with what.

• Price on Google Play: $5.99 · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: $0.99 - $34.99
• Play rating: 4.57 from 51,433 ratings · Last update: 20 October 2025
• iPhone: $5.99 · 4.71 from 35,760 ratings · 872 MB download
• Modes named: AI opponents, online play, private multiplayer for friends and family, cross-platform with PC and Switch, up to 6 players online

What you get: 4.57 stars from 51,433 ratings. The listing says the clue sheet crosses off cards for you.

The catch: It costs $5.99, with items from $0.99 - $34.99. A newer app, Clue: Official Hasbro Game, is also on Play at $4.99 with 4.81 stars from 3,409 ratings.

Get it: Clue: Classic Edition on Google Play · App Store.

27. The Game of Life 2

Spin, pick a career, and live a silly life.

• Price on Google Play: $4.99 · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: $0.99 - $34.99
• Play rating: 4.53 from 20,064 ratings · Last update: 22 October 2025
• iPhone: $4.99 · 4.77 from 32,552 ratings · 1,063 MB download
• Modes named: cross-platform play with friends and family on phones, consoles and PC

What you get: A bright 3D game with spin-and-choose turns.

The catch: The listing says extra outfits, avatars and vehicles can be unlocked. The shop goes up to $34.99. Pass and play is not confirmed. It is 1,063 MB on iPhone.

Get it: The Game of Life 2 on Google Play · App Store.

28. UNO Wonder

UNO with a cruise-ship story and boss levels.

• Price on Google Play: Free · Ads: none listed · In-app purchases: $0.99 - $99.99
• Play rating: 4.49 from 19,107 ratings · Last update: 18 September 2026
• iPhone: Free · 4.64 from 2,811 ratings · 442 MB download
• Modes named: solo play, "No Wi-Fi? No problem", and a multiplayer mention

What you get: Official UNO with 9 new action cards, says the listing. It plays alone and the listing says no Wi-Fi is needed.

The catch: It is a level-based adventure, not just a table game. The shop goes up to $99.99. The older UNO! app from the same developer has ads and a 4.33 Play rating.

Get it: UNO Wonder on Google Play · App Store.

Best for two players

Short answer: For two people, start with Kingdomino Deluxe or Patchwork. Both are cheap, and both name a local game on one device.

• Kingdomino Deluxe ($2.99): pass and play, AI and online.
• Patchwork ($0.90 on Play, 4.41 stars): the listing calls it a board game for two. You face the computer or play a local game with a friend.
• 7 Wonders DUEL ($5.99): AI, pass'n play and online. No ads and no purchases listed.
• Hive (free): two-player pass and play and six AI levels.
• Star Realms and Dominion (both free): pass and play, no ads listed.

Comparison table: all 28 picks

Price, ads and in-app purchases (IAP) are from the live US Google Play listing on 1 October 2026. Stars are Play / iPhone. The last column is the iPhone download size in MB. "n.c." means not confirmed.

Game	Play price	Ads / IAP	Stars (Play / iPhone)	iPhone MB
Ark Nova	$7.58	No ads; no IAP	4.92 / 4.85	715
Dune: Imperium Digital	$7.14	No ads; IAP	4.88 / 4.88	843
Root	$4.00	No ads; IAP	4.84 / 4.88	530
Raiders of the North Sea	$5.00	No ads; no IAP	4.60 / 4.66	272
Wingspan	$9.99	No ads; IAP	4.61 / 4.84	1,096
Everdell	$5.49	No ads; IAP	4.81 / 4.82	403
Through the Ages	$9.99	No ads; IAP	4.77 / 4.88	197
Ticket to Ride	$4.99	No ads; IAP	4.29 / 4.60	959
Cascadia Digital	$6.89	No ads; no IAP	4.87 / 4.92	741
Kingdomino Deluxe	$2.99	No ads; IAP	4.44 / 4.85	422
Monopoly	$4.99	No ads; IAP	4.12 / 4.66	986
RISK: Global Domination	Free	Ads; IAP	4.32 / 4.74	1,564
Tokaido	$4.99	No ads; no IAP	4.35 / 4.14	267
Istanbul: Digital Edition	$6.99	No ads; IAP	4.58 / 4.74	473
Hive with AI	Free	No ads; IAP	4.82 / n.c.	n.c.
Star Realms	Free	No ads; IAP	4.58 / 4.62	494
Dominion	Free	No ads; IAP	4.75 / 4.86	443
Castles of Mad King Ludwig	$7.99	No ads; no IAP	4.45 / 4.52	95
Chess - Offline Board Game	Free	Ads; IAP	4.83 / 4.91	213
Chess.com	Free	Ads; IAP	4.68 / 4.81	466
Codenames	$4.99	No ads; IAP	4.74 / 4.74	231
Ludo King	Free	Ads; IAP	4.14 / 3.73	677
Scrabble GO	Free	Ads; IAP	4.59 / 4.56	304
Backgammon - Lord of the Board	Free	No ads; IAP	4.23 / 4.46	307
Colonist	Free	Ads; IAP	4.32 / 4.55	34
Clue: Classic Edition	$5.99	No ads; IAP	4.57 / 4.71	872
The Game of Life 2	$4.99	No ads; IAP	4.53 / 4.77	1,063
UNO Wonder	Free	No ads; IAP	4.49 / 4.64	442

What the table shows: 17 of 28 cost money up front. 23 of 28 still sell in-app items. Only 5 have no ads and no in-app purchases at all (Ark Nova, Cascadia, Castles of Mad King Ludwig, Raiders of the North Sea and Tokaido). Play's "contains ads" label is not perfect, so treat it as a guide.

One more pattern: 21 of the 27 picks that exist on both stores have a higher score on iPhone than on Play. Scores come from different crowds, so compare within one store.

Storage: these apps are big

Short answer: 5 of our 27 iPhone-listed picks are 900 MB or more on iPhone. Colonist is the smallest at 34 MB.

• The biggest: RISK (1,564 MB), Wingspan (1,096 MB), The Game of Life 2 (1,063 MB), Monopoly (986 MB) and Ticket to Ride (959 MB).
• The small ones: Colonist (34 MB), Castles of Mad King Ludwig (95 MB) and Through the Ages (197 MB).
• These are App Store download sizes. We could not measure Android download sizes for this page, so check the size on your own store page before you buy.

Need smaller games? See our best Android games under 100 MB and best games for 4 GB RAM.

Does everyone have to buy the game?

Short answer: Not for pass and play. For online games, each player needs the app.

• Pass and play: No. One phone, one copy.
• Online: Yes, each player needs the app on their own phone. That is how online play works.
• Free tier: Some paid games let free players join. Most listings do not say, so we mark it "not confirmed."

Three listings do say. Evolution's page says its free version allows 1 multiplayer game a day. Oceans' page says you can join one multiplayer game a day free. Spirit Island's page says the full game, including cross-platform online multiplayer, is a paid unlock. Talisman's page says expansions can be shared: if one player owns them, everyone in the online lobby can use them.

For any other game, ask your friends to check the Play listing price before game night.

Also good: more that passed our filters

Short answer: These 12 passed the same filters but did not make the main list. The last column says what the listing names.

Game	Price	Play stars (ratings)	What to know
Sagrada	$3.50	4.66 (2,549)	Listing names no modes. Not confirmed
Galaxy Trucker	$4.99	4.62 (9,752)	Listing: local multiplayer on one device, online, real-time or turn-based
Patchwork	$0.90	4.41 (2,430)	Two players. Listing: computer or a local game with a friend
7 Wonders DUEL	$5.99	4.19 (1,172)	Listing: AI, pass and play, online. No ads, no IAP
Cottage Garden	$1.00	4.47 (242)	Listing: 2-4 players locally, online, cross-platform
Munchkin	$5.99	4.58 (2,451)	Listing: cross-platform online and solo challenges
Race for the Galaxy	$6.99	4.07 (1,129)	Listing: single player vs AI, 2-4 players with network multiplayer
The Castles of Burgundy	$4.00	4.28 (584)	Listing: 3 AI opponents, offline play, cross-platform
Evolution	Free	4.31 (7,088)	Free tier: 1 multiplayer game a day. Full unlock is paid
Oceans	Free	4.23 (1,189)	Free tier: 1 multiplayer game a day. Full game is a paid upgrade
Exploding Kittens 2	$4.99	4.62 (3,232)	Listing: play alone against AI or friends online. Not the Netflix version
Spot it! Go!	Free	4.55 (13,172)	Listing: 1-on-1 on one phone, online for 2 to 4. Online needs internet

Popular elsewhere, but we left them out

Short answer: The most-recommended names on other lists often score badly on Google Play. Carcassonne is at 2.04 stars, Catan Universe at 2.71 and Terraforming Mars at 3.72.

Other roundups often list these. Here is what we found on 1 October 2026.

Game	What we found	Why it is not a pick
Carcassonne: Tiles & Tactics	2.04 stars, 11,117 ratings, $1.38, ads	Under our 4.0 line. iPhone is 2.49. Other lists call it a top pick or free
Catan Universe	2.71 stars, 86,521 ratings	Under 4.0. iPhone is 3.83
Catan Classic	2.36 stars, $5.49	Under 4.0. Last update March 2024
Terraforming Mars	3.72 stars, $2.25	Under 4.0 on Play. iPhone is 4.50
Twilight Struggle	3.95 stars	Just under 4.0
Spirit Island	3.77 stars, 1,036 ratings	Under 4.0. Free to start, but the full game is a paid unlock
Scythe: Digital Edition	3.81 stars, 1,029 ratings	Under 4.0. iPhone is 3.10
Splendor	Play page for its old package ID returns 404	Not on Google Play when we checked, and not in our US App Store search. Several lists still recommend it
Pandemic	3.53 stars, 215 ratings	Under 4.0. Last update June 2021
Armello	4.51 stars	Last update September 2018, so it fails our update filter
Agricola, Lords of Waterdeep	3.71 and 3.85 stars	Both under 4.0
Lichess	3.79 stars, free, no ads, no IAP	Under 4.0 on Play. A free chess option if you do not mind that
Stratego Online	2.67 stars	Under 4.0
Mansions of Madness, Journeys in Middle-earth	Free listings	Companion apps. You need the physical box
MONOPOLY GO!	4.60 stars, shop up to $199.99	A separate app from the Monopoly board game app. We did not rate it as a board game version
Board Game Arena, Tabletopia	3.35 and 2.31 stars	Under 4.0

A low Play score is not proof a game is bad. Review-bombs and old bugs can drag a score down. It is a signal, and we kept the line at 4.0 so every pick has a sensible crowd behind it.

Kids and money: what to know

Short answer: Set a purchase password on Google Play before you hand a free board game app to a child.

Most free board game apps make money from ads and from in-app purchases. Some are heavy on both.

• Look at the shop range. Ludo King lists items up to $369.09. Scrabble GO lists up to $299.99. RISK lists up to $119.99. A paid game can have a shop too: Monopoly costs $4.99 and lists items up to $59.99.
• Ask for a password before any purchase. Google Play has a purchase verification page. It covers password, fingerprint and screen-lock checks.
• Set content limits for kids. Google Play explains content restrictions. On iPhone, Apple covers parental controls and Ask to Buy.
• Online chat and strangers. Online modes match you with real people. For young kids, stick to pass and play or private games with people you know.

How we checked these games

Written by Aditya Singh. This page is a data check, not a play-through review.

• We started with the apps that top pages for this search recommend. We added well-known tabletop games we searched for ourselves. That gave 73 apps. Splendor was a separate search that found nothing live.
• We found each app's package on Google Play and pulled its live US listing on 1 October 2026. That gave the price, ads flag, in-app purchase range, installs, rating and last update. We matched each title and developer to the game we meant. Lookalikes were dropped. Each pick's Play page also returned a normal page (HTTP 200).
• We looked up each pick on the US App Store the same day for the iPhone price, rating and download size.
• Our filters: still on Google Play; a Play score of 4.0 or more; at least 200 Play ratings; updated since 1 January 2025.
• Play modes come from each listing's text, and from the developer's own pages for Ark Nova, Cascadia, Root, Dune and RISK. When a mode was not named, we wrote "not confirmed."
• We did not measure Android download sizes. We did not check offline play unless a listing said so.
• We read the pages that rank for this search. Most show no prices, ratings or update dates.
• Play's "contains ads" label is not perfect.

Last checked: 1 October 2026. We will check again in a few months.

Update log: 1 October 2026. Re-checked every listing. Added Root, RISK, Tokaido, Raiders of the North Sea and Istanbul. Moved Exploding Kittens 2 and Spot it! to the also-good table. Added iPhone sizes and a two-player list.

Bottom line

Start with Ticket to Ride if you want one app for everything. Pick Ark Nova if you want a big game to play alone. Pick Dominion if you want a free game with no ads. For one phone and two people, Kingdomino Deluxe is the cheapest paid pick at $2.99.

Want more? Try our best card games, best strategy games, best puzzle games, best multiplayer games for friends or best offline games. For the wider list, see our best mobile games and best free mobile games. Also new: best action RPG games for mobile and best endless runner games for mobile.