26 Best Endless Runner Games for Mobile (2026, Checked)
The best endless runner games for mobile in 2026 are Subway Surfers, Banana Kong and Alto's Odyssey. Subway Surfers is the safe first download. Banana Kong is 4.68 stars in a small file. Alto's Odyssey is the calm one. With no signal, play Temple Run 2.
We pulled the live US Google Play listing for 57 runner games on 1 October 2026. 42 passed our checks and we kept 26. 25 of those 26 show the Contains ads label. 25 sell in-app items. Only 8 say in their own text that they work offline.
One more number: the downloads run from 5.61 MB to 1.68 GB. That is about 300 times bigger. So we sorted the picks by how they play, and showed the facts for each.
In a hurry? Jump to: quick picks · 4 kinds of runner · lane runners · side-scrollers · one-touch and quirky · action runners · comparison table · sizes · offline · kids · spending · often recommended elsewhere · pick by need · how we checked · bottom line
Quick picks: the best endless runner for you
Not sure where to start? Find your need in the first column.
| You want | Play this | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| The safe first pick | Subway Surfers | 41,556,947 ratings. Offline not confirmed |
| The newest one | Subway Surfers City | Updated 1 October 2026. Items to $99.99 |
| No signal on a trip | Temple Run 2 | Offline per its text. Score 4.07 |
| A small download | Banana Kong | Up to 53.42 MB. Shows ads |
| A calm, pretty run | Alto's Odyssey | Ads label on. Last update Oct 2025 |
| Fewer ads, one upgrade | Smash Hit | Says free from ads, but Play shows the label |
| Real parkour moves | Vector | Items up to $129.99 |
| The smallest app | Dino T-Rex | Up to 5.61 MB. A copy of the Chrome game |
| A younger child | Temple Run | Everyone rating. Offline per its text. Set a purchase check |
| Zombies, ages 17+ | Into the Dead 2 | Mature 17+. Up to 1.68 GB |
What an endless runner is, and the 4 kinds
An endless runner is a game with no last level. Your character keeps moving. You dodge, jump and grab coins until you crash. Then you try to beat your score.
That is where the likeness ends. A game where you swipe lanes plays nothing like a game where you hold one finger down. So we sorted every pick into one of four kinds.
- 3D lane runners. Swipe left and right to change lanes. Jump and slide. Think Subway Surfers.
- Side-scrollers. The view is from the side. You tap to jump or fly. Think Jetpack Joyride.
- One-touch and quirky. One finger does everything. Some are calm and some are odd.
- Action runners. Parkour, zombies and ninjas. More story, more risk, bigger downloads.
Every game below lists the same facts: the Play ads label, what it sells, rating, age rating, last update, size and whether it works offline.
Kind 1: 3D lane runners
Start here if you want the classic. These are the big names. They are easy to start and have the biggest shops. A fun fact: Temple Run 2 has 9,835,960 ratings but the lowest score of the group, 4.07. Sonic Dash has the highest, 4.70.
1. Subway Surfers
Swipe to dodge trains. Surf on a hoverboard. Do it again.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $99.99
- Rating: 4.55 from 41,556,947 ratings · Age rating: Everyone 10+
- Last update: 24 September 2026 · Size: up to 223.26 MB
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: The runner most people mean when they say "endless runner." You swipe to change lanes, jump and roll while a guard chases you. It is the most rated game on this page.
The catch: Play shows the Contains ads label and items up to $99.99. The listing does not say it works offline, so that is not confirmed.
Tip: If you want the newest version of this idea, read the next pick.
Get it: Subway Surfers on Google Play · App Store.
2. Subway Surfers City
The same crew in a new game, updated on the day we checked.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $99.99
- Rating: 4.62 from 332,540 ratings · Age rating: Everyone 10+
- Last update: 1 October 2026 · Size: up to 243.85 MB
- Works offline: yes, per the developer's text
What it is: Besides the endless run, there is a City Tour mode. You also collect and upgrade surfers and boards. The developer's text says it works offline.
The catch: It is new, so it has 332,540 ratings, not 41 million. Items go up to $99.99, and the Contains ads label is on.
Get it: Subway Surfers City on Google Play · App Store.
3. Temple Run 2
Swipe to turn, jump and slide. Mine carts and zip lines break up the run.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $44.99
- Rating: 4.07 from 9,835,960 ratings · Age rating: Everyone 10+
- Last update: 9 September 2026 · Size: up to 155.56 MB
- Works offline: yes, per the developer's text
What it is: A free runner with jungle, volcano and snow worlds and a pile of heroes to unlock. The developer's text says no internet is needed.
The catch: Its 4.07 is the lowest score among the big lane runners here. Play shows ads and items up to $44.99.
Tip: Want the plain original instead? The next pick is it.
Get it: Temple Run 2 on Google Play · App Store.
4. Temple Run
The original. Steal the idol, outrun the monkeys.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $19.99
- Rating: 4.23 from 5,133,644 ratings · Age rating: Everyone
- Last update: 15 September 2026 · Size: up to 144.08 MB
- Works offline: yes, per the developer's text
What it is: Simple turns, jumps and slides. The listing says it works with no internet, and it has an Everyone rating.
The catch: It is the older, smaller game. Temple Run 2 has more worlds to unlock. Play shows ads and items up to $19.99.
Get it: Temple Run on Google Play · App Store.
5. Sonic Dash
Run fast as Sonic, then fight a boss.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $99.99
- Rating: 4.70 from 6,521,372 ratings · Age rating: Everyone
- Last update: 18 September 2026 · Size: up to 241.16 MB
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: 3D courses with rings, spin dashes and boss fights. You unlock characters by collecting character cards. It has the highest score among the lane runners.
The catch: Items go up to $99.99 and Play shows the ads label. Offline play is not confirmed. A Netflix version exists too. Read the table near the end.
Get it: Sonic Dash on Google Play · App Store.
6. Minion Rush
A Minions game with a new Endless Run mode.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $99.99
- Rating: 4.46 from 10,376,170 ratings · Age rating: Everyone 10+
- Last update: 28 July 2026 · Size: not measured
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: The listing calls Endless Run "brand-new," so the game is also about costumes, gadgets, story puzzles and daily or weekly tournaments. That makes it more than a plain runner.
The catch: Items start at $0.29 and reach $99.99. Tournaments sound online, and offline play is not confirmed. We could not measure the size.
Get it: Minion Rush on Google Play · App Store.
7. Talking Tom Gold Run
Chase the raccoons. Collect gold. Build homes for the cast.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $149.99
- Rating: 4.35 from 6,435,740 ratings · Age rating: Everyone
- Last update: 31 August 2026 · Size: up to 193.12 MB
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: Bright worlds, skateboard side levels and a race mode. The Play listing says the app is certified by PRIVO, a COPPA Safe Harbor program.
The catch: It has the biggest top item on this page: $149.99. Play also shows the ads label. Offline play is not confirmed.
Tip: If a child plays, turn on purchase approval first. See the kids section.
Get it: Talking Tom Gold Run on Google Play · App Store.
Kind 2: Side-scrollers
Pick these for short, light runs. The view is from the side and the taps are simple. The first Banana Kong is up to 53.42 MB. Its sequel is 3.2 times bigger.
8. Banana Kong
A small runner with a huge fan base.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $30.99
- Rating: 4.68 from 5,131,234 ratings · Age rating: Everyone
- Last update: 30 September 2026 · Size: up to 53.42 MB
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: Tap and swipe to run, bounce and swing on vines while a banana avalanche chases you. You spend bananas on power-ups, hats and parachutes. It was updated one day before our check.
The catch: Play shows ads. Offline play is not confirmed for this one, although its sequel says it works offline. Items go up to $30.99.
Tip: Big score, small file: 4.68 stars in up to 53.42 MB. Most picks here are three to four times bigger.
Get it: Banana Kong on Google Play · App Store.
9. Banana Kong 2
The sequel, with new worlds, a penguin ride and a surfboard.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $109.99
- Rating: 4.68 from 160,750 ratings · Age rating: Everyone
- Last update: 18 August 2026 · Size: up to 170.39 MB
- Works offline: yes, per the developer's text
What it is: Same simple controls, new places and new missions. The listing calls it a fun addition to your offline games.
The catch: Its top item is $109.99, while the first game's is $30.99. It is also bigger: up to 170.39 MB, not 53.42 MB.
Get it: Banana Kong 2 on Google Play · App Store.
10. Jetpack Joyride
Hold to fly. Let go to fall. Dodge lasers.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $119.99
- Rating: 4.44 from 4,754,013 ratings · Age rating: Everyone 10+
- Last update: 2 March 2026 · Size: not measured
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: A one-touch runner with jetpacks, vehicles, missions and outfits. The control is as simple as it gets.
The catch: Items go up to $119.99 and Play shows ads. Offline play is not confirmed, and we could not measure the size.
Get it: Jetpack Joyride on Google Play · App Store.
11. Zombie Tsunami
You are the zombie horde. Eat the town.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $132.54
- Rating: 4.59 from 6,112,357 ratings · Age rating: Everyone 10+
- Last update: 23 July 2026 · Size: up to 89.14 MB
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: Lead a growing swarm across 11 worlds. There are 300+ missions and one-touch controls.
The catch: The top item is $132.54, the second-highest price here. Play shows ads. Offline play is not confirmed.
Get it: Zombie Tsunami on Google Play · App Store.
12. CookieRun: OvenBreak
A cute side-scroller with an energy meter.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $79.99
- Rating: 4.17 from 1,018,393 ratings · Age rating: Everyone
- Last update: 16 September 2026 · Size: up to 222.43 MB
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: You run, jump and slide as a cookie, with pets and online trophy races. The listing says you run "for as long as your energy can last."
The catch: That energy limit is the catch. It also leans online, so offline play is not confirmed. Items run from $0.49 to $79.99.
Get it: CookieRun OvenBreak on Google Play.
13. Agent Dash
A spy runner with gadgets, jetpacks and a villain called Dr. Quantumfinger.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $59.99
- Rating: 4.38 from 366,768 ratings · Age rating: Teen
- Last update: 28 April 2026 · Size: up to 152.01 MB
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: Tap and swipe through hills and traps. You upgrade gadgets back at base. It was last updated in April 2026.
The catch: It has a Teen rating for violence, blood and crude humor. Items go up to $59.99 and Play shows ads.
Get it: Agent Dash on Google Play · App Store.
Kind 3: One-touch and quirky runners
These are best for a train ride. One finger, quiet or odd. The surprise here: the pretty, calm Alto games still show the Contains ads label and sell items.
14. Alto's Odyssey
A sandboarding runner you play with one finger.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $99.99
- Rating: 4.54 from 286,807 ratings · Age rating: Everyone
- Last update: 16 October 2025 · Size: up to 157.27 MB
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: Chain tricks, grind vines and fly over dunes. The one-touch trick system is the heart of it. It has an Everyone rating with no content descriptors.
The catch: Play still shows the ads label and items up to $99.99. Offline play is not confirmed. Last update was 16 October 2025, which is older than most of this page.
Get it: Alto's Odyssey on Google Play.
15. Alto's Adventure
The snowy first game, with a 180-goal list.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $99.99
- Rating: 4.33 from 657,470 ratings · Age rating: Everyone
- Last update: 16 October 2025 · Size: up to 122.52 MB
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: Physics-based snowboarding down procedural hills, with weather and a one-button trick system.
The catch: It has the same ads label and the same $99.99 top item as Odyssey. The score is a bit lower, 4.33 versus 4.54. Offline play is not confirmed.
Get it: Alto's Adventure on Google Play.
16. Smash Hit
Fly forward and smash glass to the beat.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $9.99
- Rating: 4.54 from 4,648,115 ratings · Age rating: Everyone
- Last update: 30 March 2026 · Size: up to 89.65 MB
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: The developer's text says it is "playable at no cost and free from ads." A one-time optional upgrade adds new modes, cloud save and checkpoints.
The catch: Here is a mismatch. Play still shows the Contains ads label. We cannot tell which one is out of date, so check the listing yourself.
Get it: Smash Hit on Google Play · App Store.
17. Crossy Road
Hop forever. Do not get hit.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $29.99
- Rating: 4.45 from 4,574,929 ratings · Age rating: Everyone
- Last update: 24 July 2026 · Size: up to 156.61 MB
- Works offline: yes, per the developer's text
What it is: An endless hopper with 300+ characters and daily quests. The listing says "Play offline games."
The catch: Items go from $0.49 to $29.99 and Play shows ads. It is a hopper, not a lane runner. We include it because many lists do.
Get it: Crossy Road on Google Play · App Store.
18. PAC-MAN 256
A maze that never ends, with a glitch chasing you.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $4.99
- Rating: 4.18 from 477,918 ratings · Age rating: Everyone
- Last update: 25 August 2026 · Size: up to 82.72 MB
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: Pac-Man in an endless maze, with 15+ power-ups. From the makers of Crossy Road.
The catch: The top item is only $4.99, the lowest on this page (Dino T-Rex lists no items). Play shows ads. Offline play is not confirmed.
Get it: PAC-MAN 256 on Google Play · App Store.
19. Dino T-Rex
The tiny no-Wi-Fi dinosaur, as an app.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: none
- Rating: 4.34 from 195,296 ratings · Age rating: Everyone
- Last update: 3 August 2026 · Size: up to 5.61 MB
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: A copy of the dinosaur game from Chrome. The listing says it is based on an open-source Chromium project.
The catch: It is basic. Play shows ads but no items to buy. We could not confirm it is offline from the listing, though it is the smallest download here.
Get it: Dino T-Rex on Google Play.
Kind 4: Action runners
Pick these if you want more fighting and story. They are the heaviest picks. Three of the four games on this page rated Teen or Mature are in this group.
20. Vector
A parkour runner from the makers of Shadow Fight.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $129.99
- Rating: 4.70 from 3,659,603 ratings · Age rating: Everyone 10+
- Last update: 14 September 2026 · Size: up to 224.04 MB
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: You run, vault and slide across rooftops while a regime chases you. It is a remaster with new levels and a daily special level.
The catch: Items go up to $129.99, and Play shows ads. If you want less to buy, Vector Classic costs $0.99 and still lists items up to $4.99.
Get it: Vector on Google Play · App Store.
21. Blades of Brim
Run, vault cliffs and slash goons with a magic sword.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $99.99
- Rating: 4.38 from 309,278 ratings · Age rating: Everyone 10+
- Last update: 15 September 2026 · Size: not measured
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: From the studio behind Subway Surfers. You run, dodge and hit enemies, then upgrade blades, armor and pets. It has an Everyone 10+ rating for fantasy violence.
The catch: Items run from $1.99 to $99.99 and Play shows ads. Offline play is not confirmed. We could not measure the size.
Get it: Blades of Brim on Google Play · App Store.
22. Lara Croft Relic Run
Run, swing and drive as Lara Croft.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $49.99
- Rating: 4.41 from 743,605 ratings · Age rating: Teen
- Last update: 27 August 2026 · Size: up to 292.98 MB
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: A campaign map plus an endless mode. You get vehicles like ATVs and motorcycles, boss fights and a wardrobe of outfits.
The catch: Teen rating for violence. Play shows ads and items up to $49.99. It is up to 292.98 MB. Offline play is not confirmed.
Get it: Lara Croft Relic Run on Google Play · App Store.
23. MetroLand
A city runner that works offline and has a season pass.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $99.99
- Rating: 4.22 from 12,201 ratings · Age rating: Everyone
- Last update: 31 October 2025 · Size: up to 144.2 MB
- Works offline: yes, per the developer's text
What it is: Parkour across streets and rooftops. The listing says you can play and even build your base offline.
The catch: It has a Gold Pass you can buy. It also has a small crowd: 12,201 ratings.
Get it: MetroLand on Google Play · App Store.
24. Ninja Dash Run
Slash demons and bosses while you run.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $94.99
- Rating: 4.60 from 112,566 ratings · Age rating: Everyone 10+
- Last update: 25 July 2026 · Size: not measured
- Works offline: yes, per the developer's text
What it is: More fighter than pure runner. The listing says no Wi-Fi is needed.
The catch: It has a 10+ rating for fantasy violence and mild blood. Items go up to $94.99. We could not measure its size.
Get it: Ninja Dash Run on Google Play.
25. Into the Dead 2
A zombie run-and-shoot with a story.
- Ads: Contains ads · Items: up to $99.99
- Rating: 4.55 from 718,663 ratings · Age rating: Mature 17+
- Last update: 19 September 2026 · Size: up to 1.68 GB
- Works offline: yes, per the developer's text
What it is: Seven chapters, 60 stages and a lot of weapons. The listing says it works with no internet.
The catch: Rated Mature 17+ for blood and gore, strong language and violence. It is also up to 1.68 GB, the biggest download here.
Get it: Into the Dead 2 on Google Play · App Store.
26. Ninja Must Die
A ninja runner that talks like a gacha game.
- Ads: no ads label · Items: up to $99.99
- Rating: 4.38 from 41,109 ratings · Age rating: Teen
- Last update: 24 August 2026 · Size: up to 1.36 GB
- Works offline: not confirmed
What it is: The Play text is a patch note full of limited-time rate-ups, skins and top-up rewards, plus a 1v1 mode. That is gacha language.
The catch: Teen rating. Play shows no ads flag but does list items up to $99.99. It is up to 1.36 GB, so check your storage.
Get it: Ninja Must Die on Google Play · App Store.
Comparison table: all 26 side by side
25 of 26 show Contains ads on Google Play. The exception is Ninja Must Die. Dino T-Rex has the ads label but nothing to buy. "Top item" is the biggest item price in each Play listing. "Offline" means the developer's own text says so.
| Game | Kind | Rating | Top item | Offline? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subway Surfers | 3D lane runner | 4.55 | $99.99 | Not confirmed |
| Subway Surfers City | 3D lane runner | 4.62 | $99.99 | Yes |
| Temple Run 2 | 3D lane runner | 4.07 | $44.99 | Yes |
| Temple Run | 3D lane runner | 4.23 | $19.99 | Yes |
| Sonic Dash | 3D lane runner | 4.70 | $99.99 | Not confirmed |
| Minion Rush | 3D lane runner | 4.46 | $99.99 | Not confirmed |
| Talking Tom Gold Run | 3D lane runner | 4.35 | $149.99 | Not confirmed |
| Banana Kong | Side-scroller | 4.68 | $30.99 | Not confirmed |
| Banana Kong 2 | Side-scroller | 4.68 | $109.99 | Yes |
| Jetpack Joyride | Side-scroller | 4.44 | $119.99 | Not confirmed |
| Zombie Tsunami | Side-scroller | 4.59 | $132.54 | Not confirmed |
| CookieRun: OvenBreak | Side-scroller | 4.17 | $79.99 | Not confirmed |
| Agent Dash | Side-scroller | 4.38 | $59.99 | Not confirmed |
| Alto's Odyssey | One-touch / quirky | 4.54 | $99.99 | Not confirmed |
| Alto's Adventure | One-touch / quirky | 4.33 | $99.99 | Not confirmed |
| Smash Hit | One-touch / quirky | 4.54 | $9.99 | Not confirmed |
| Crossy Road | One-touch / quirky | 4.45 | $29.99 | Yes |
| PAC-MAN 256 | One-touch / quirky | 4.18 | $4.99 | Not confirmed |
| Dino T-Rex | One-touch / quirky | 4.34 | none | Not confirmed |
| Vector | Action runner | 4.70 | $129.99 | Not confirmed |
| Blades of Brim | Action runner | 4.38 | $99.99 | Not confirmed |
| Lara Croft Relic Run | Action runner | 4.41 | $49.99 | Not confirmed |
| MetroLand | Action runner | 4.22 | $99.99 | Yes |
| Ninja Dash Run | Action runner | 4.60 | $94.99 | Yes |
| Into the Dead 2 | Action runner | 4.55 | $99.99 | Yes |
| Ninja Must Die | Action runner | 4.38 | $99.99 | Not confirmed |
Download size and last update
Dino T-Rex is the smallest. Into the Dead 2 is the biggest. Sizes are the file Uptodown lists for each game. Your phone may download less, or more with extra data packs. We did not measure data use or battery. We could not measure size for: Minion Rush, Jetpack Joyride, Blades of Brim, Ninja Dash Run.
Short on space? See our best Android games under 100MB too.
| Game | Size | Last update | Age rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dino T-Rex | 5.61 MB | 3 August 2026 | Everyone |
| Banana Kong | 53.42 MB | 30 September 2026 | Everyone |
| PAC-MAN 256 | 82.72 MB | 25 August 2026 | Everyone |
| Zombie Tsunami | 89.14 MB | 23 July 2026 | Everyone 10+ |
| Smash Hit | 89.65 MB | 30 March 2026 | Everyone |
| Alto's Adventure | 122.52 MB | 16 October 2025 | Everyone |
| Temple Run | 144.08 MB | 15 September 2026 | Everyone |
| MetroLand | 144.2 MB | 31 October 2025 | Everyone |
| Agent Dash | 152.01 MB | 28 April 2026 | Teen |
| Temple Run 2 | 155.56 MB | 9 September 2026 | Everyone 10+ |
| Crossy Road | 156.61 MB | 24 July 2026 | Everyone |
| Alto's Odyssey | 157.27 MB | 16 October 2025 | Everyone |
| Banana Kong 2 | 170.39 MB | 18 August 2026 | Everyone |
| Talking Tom Gold Run | 193.12 MB | 31 August 2026 | Everyone |
| CookieRun: OvenBreak | 222.43 MB | 16 September 2026 | Everyone |
| Subway Surfers | 223.26 MB | 24 September 2026 | Everyone 10+ |
| Vector | 224.04 MB | 14 September 2026 | Everyone 10+ |
| Sonic Dash | 241.16 MB | 18 September 2026 | Everyone |
| Subway Surfers City | 243.85 MB | 1 October 2026 | Everyone 10+ |
| Lara Croft Relic Run | 292.98 MB | 27 August 2026 | Teen |
| Ninja Must Die | 1.36 GB | 24 August 2026 | Teen |
| Into the Dead 2 | 1.68 GB | 19 September 2026 | Mature 17+ |
Every pick was updated in the last 12 months. The oldest update is Alto's Odyssey, on 16 October 2025.
Which runners work offline?
Eight of our picks say so in their own Play text. A lot of lists say "offline" for every runner. We only say it when the listing says it. Here are the 8:
- Subway Surfers City
- Temple Run 2
- Temple Run
- MetroLand
- Ninja Dash Run
- Banana Kong 2
- Crossy Road
- Into the Dead 2
The other 18 are not confirmed. Many may still run with no signal, but we did not find that in their listings. Tournaments, races and cloud saves need the internet anyway. For more, read our best offline games for Android list.
Are endless runners safe for kids?
Most are rated Everyone or Everyone 10+ on Google Play. 4 are not:
- Into the Dead 2: Mature 17+ (blood and gore, strong language, violence).
- Agent Dash: Teen (violence, blood, crude humor).
- Ninja Must Die: Teen (violence, blood).
- Lara Croft: Relic Run: Teen (violence).
The age rating does not cover ads or shops, and almost every game here sells items. Common Sense Media's endless runner list suggests ages 6+ for Sonic Dash, 8+ for Minion Rush and 9+ for Subway Surfers and Temple Run 2. Its list is older, so treat it as a guide.
Do two things before you hand over a phone:
- Turn on purchase checks. Google explains how on its purchase verification help page.
- Set an age limit. Google's page on content restrictions on Google Play shows how. Google says games installed before the limit stay on the phone, and a direct link can still open a game page.
Talking Tom Gold Run says on its Play listing that it is certified by PRIVO, a children's privacy program. That is the developer's claim. It still sells items up to $149.99.
What the shop can cost
All 26 are free to download, but the shop prices run high. We did not test how hard any game pushes you to buy. We can show the biggest price in each listing. Here are the top five:
| Game | Biggest item on Play |
|---|---|
| Talking Tom Gold Run | $149.99 |
| Zombie Tsunami | $132.54 |
| Vector | $129.99 |
| Jetpack Joyride | $119.99 |
| Banana Kong 2 | $109.99 |
And the lowest: PAC-MAN 256 tops out at $4.99 and Smash Hit at $9.99. Dino T-Rex lists nothing to buy. If you buy something by mistake, read Google's refund policy page first.
Often recommended elsewhere, but we checked
These names show up on other lists. Here is what the live data says. We read the top ranking pages for this search and checked every game that appeared on several of them.
| Game | What we found on 1 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Sonic Prime Dash | The Play listing says it is for Netflix members only. Rating 4.59. |
| Super Mario Run | 3.88 from 1,667,552 ratings. Under our 4.0 line. One item listed at $9.99. |
| FOTONICA | Paid ($4.99), 4.72 stars from 3,514 ratings. Last updated 1 August 2016, older than our 18-month line. |
| Boson X | Paid ($2.99), 4.10 stars, only 2,260 ratings. |
| Summer Catchers | Paid ($3.99) and 3.94 stars. Only 1,197 ratings. |
| Jet Run: City Defender | 4.88 stars, but last updated 30 June 2016. Older than our 18-month line. |
| Ladder Master Runner | 3.15 stars from only 895 ratings. Under 4.0. |
| Ultimate Sackboy | 3.58 from 4,133 ratings. Under 4.0. |
| Rodeo Stampede | 3.72 from 920,787 ratings. Under our 4.0 line. |
| Jumanji: Epic Run | 3.86 from 123,209 ratings. Under 4.0. |
| Dragon Hills 2 | It passes, but only just: 4.00 stars, 72,411 ratings, Teen rating. You slide hills with one tap, so it is not a classic runner. |
| Slash & Girl | It passes (4.40 stars, updated 29 September 2026). It is rated Teen for violence and suggestive themes, and a listed item costs $239.99. We left it off a list many families read. |
| Snail Ride | Last updated 25 March 2019. Older than our 18-month line. |
| Monster Dash | Last updated 31 July 2024. Older than our 18-month line. |
| Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! | Gone. Wikipedia says its servers shut down on 16 February 2023. We also found no live Google Play page for it. |
Pick by need
- Short on storage: Dino T-Rex, Banana Kong, Smash Hit, PAC-MAN 256.
- No signal on a trip: Temple Run 2, Temple Run, Subway Surfers City, Ninja Dash Run.
- A calm game: Alto's Odyssey, Alto's Adventure.
- Younger players: Temple Run, Sonic Dash, Banana Kong (all rated Everyone).
- Older players: Vector, Lara Croft: Relic Run, Into the Dead 2.
- A phone with 4 GB of RAM or less: start with the small ones above, then see our best games for 4GB RAM list.
- Fewer ads: none of these is ad-free by the Play label. Read our games with no ads page.
How we checked these games
Written by Aditya Singh for AndroidHire. Every fact comes from a public page we opened.
- We started with 57 runner and runner-like games. They came from the pages that rank for this search and from Google Play search.
- On 1 October 2026 we pulled each game's live US Google Play listing. That gave us the ads label, item price range, rating, ratings count, age rating, update date and text.
- We kept games that were still on Google Play, updated since 1 April 2025 (18 months), rated 4.0 or higher, with at least 10,000 ratings. 42 passed. We kept 26 that play differently from each other. A few that passed did not make the page, such as Run Sausage Run, Geometry Dash and Slash & Girl.
- "Works offline" only appears when the Play listing says so. Everything else says "not confirmed."
- Sizes come from Uptodown. We tried APKCombo first but could not reach it. These numbers can differ from your Play download.
- The Play ads label is blunt. It does not tell you how often ads show, and no listing says how soon the first ad appears. So we do not guess.
- App Store links come from Apple's public lookup. We matched them by name and developer.
- We did not play these games for this page. We only write what we could check.
Last checked: 1 October 2026. We will check this page again in a few months.
Update log: 1 October 2026. Rechecked every listing, added Blades of Brim and Lara Croft: Relic Run, and added a table of games other lists recommend.
Bottom line
Install Subway Surfers first. If your storage is tight, try Banana Kong. If you want something quiet, get Alto's Odyssey. Play any of them for a few days before you spend a cent.
Want more? Try our best free mobile games or our best mobile games. If you like other kinds of play, see our best action RPG games for mobile and best board games for mobile. For a race instead of a run, try our best racing games for Android.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best endless runner games for mobile?
Subway Surfers, Banana Kong and Alto's Odyssey are our top three. Subway Surfers has the most ratings, Banana Kong is 4.68 stars in a small download, and Alto's Odyssey is the calm one. All were checked on Google Play on 1 October 2026.
Which endless runner games work offline?
Eight of our 26 say so in their own text: Subway Surfers City, Temple Run 2, Temple Run, MetroLand, Ninja Dash Run, Banana Kong 2, Crossy Road and Into the Dead 2. For the rest it is not confirmed.
Are there endless runners with no ads?
Not by the Google Play label. 25 of our 26 picks show Contains ads, and the only one that does not, Ninja Must Die, sells items. Smash Hit's developer says it is free from ads, but Play still shows the label.
Are endless runner games safe for kids?
Most are rated Everyone or Everyone 10+. Into the Dead 2 is Mature 17+, and Agent Dash, Ninja Must Die and Lara Croft: Relic Run are Teen. Turn on purchase verification before a child plays, since almost every game here sells items.
What is the smallest endless runner on Android?
Dino T-Rex, at up to 5.61 MB on Uptodown. Banana Kong is up to 53.42 MB and is rated 4.68 on Play. Into the Dead 2 is the biggest at up to 1.68 GB.
Subway Surfers or Temple Run 2: which is better?
On Google Play, Subway Surfers scores 4.55 and Temple Run 2 scores 4.07. Temple Run 2 says it works offline, and Subway Surfers does not say so in its listing. Subway Surfers also has a newer game, Subway Surfers City.
How much do endless runner games cost?
All 26 are free to download. Items are the cost: the biggest price in each listing runs from $4.99 for PAC-MAN 256 to $149.99 for Talking Tom Gold Run. Dino T-Rex lists nothing to buy.
What is the most popular endless runner game?
Subway Surfers. It has 41.6 million ratings on Google Play and a 1 billion plus installs band. No other pick here is close on ratings.
What is a good game like Subway Surfers?
Try Subway Surfers City, Temple Run 2 or Sonic Dash for the same lane swipes. Blades of Brim comes from the same studio and adds sword fights. All show the Contains ads label on Google Play.
Is Alto's Odyssey free on Android?
It costs nothing to download, but its Google Play listing shows the Contains ads label and items up to $99.99. Do not count on it being ad-free.
