Searching for “games to play with friends” returns hundreds of lists that mix very different things. Before choosing, ask yourself one question: can your group be online at the same time?

If you never overlap (jobs, different schedules, friends in other cities), you need asynchronous games: everyone plays when they can and the game keeps moving.
If you can get online together for a while, real-time games are more intense.
If you’re together in person, your phone can be the board or the cards.

This list is organized that way. It includes our own app, MemeCoop, but also alternatives we genuinely like: the goal is for you to find the game that fits your group.

Asynchronous games: for groups that never overlap

1. MemeCoop

A meme game played in daily rounds inside a private group. Every day you make a meme with one of three random templates, anonymously rate the memes your group posted the day before from 1 to 5 stars, and points go to a monthly leaderboard. It has a Meme of the Week, streaks and achievements.

Best for: groups that already send each other memes and want daily rivalry without having to be online together.
Platform: Android (no iPhone version yet).
Price: free, with optional template packs.

2. Trivia Crack

The classic turn-based trivia game. Challenge a friend, answer questions across categories and the match moves forward whenever each of you can play.

Best for: one-on-one rivalries.
Platform: Android and iPhone. Price: free with ads.

3. Wordle

One word a day, six guesses. It isn’t a group game as such, but sharing your result in the chat every morning has become a ritual in lots of groups.

Best for: a quick daily rivalry.
Platform: browser. Price: free.

4. Correspondence chess (Lichess or Chess.com)

Games where each move can take hours or days. Lichess is free and ad-free.

Best for: the thinkers in the group.
Platform: browser, Android and iPhone. Price: free.

Real-time games: for playing online together

5. Among Us

Crewmates vs. impostors: finish your tasks and find out who’s sabotaging the ship. The arguments are the best part.

Best for: big groups who love accusing each other.
Platform: mobile, PC and consoles. Price: free on mobile.

6. Gartic Phone

Telephone with drawings: one person writes a sentence, the next draws it, the next describes the drawing… The final result is always a glorious mess.

Best for: big groups on a video call.
Platform: browser. Price: free.

7. skribbl.io

Online Pictionary: one person draws and everyone else races to guess the word.

Best for: quick rounds with nothing to install.
Platform: browser. Price: free.

8. Codenames (online version)

Two teams, a grid of words and a spymaster who gives one-word clues. The official web version lets you play remotely.

Best for: board game fans.
Platform: browser. Price: free.

9. Stumble Guys

Chaotic obstacle-course races with elimination rounds. Matches are short and you get it in ten seconds.

Best for: quick laughs with no rules to explain.
Platform: Android, iPhone and PC. Price: free with optional purchases.

10. Brawl Stars

Team matches that last a few minutes. Plenty of modes and it’s easy to team up with friends.

Best for: groups that already play video games.
Platform: Android and iPhone. Price: free with optional purchases.

Games to play in person with your phone

11. Heads Up!

Hold the phone to your forehead while everyone else gives you clues to guess the word before time runs out.

Best for: dinners, road trips and birthdays.
Platform: Android and iPhone.

Bonus, no app needed: Never Have I Ever, Would You Rather or Truth or Dare work just as well with a list of questions on your phone.

Comparison table

Game	Type	Need to be online together?	Platform
MemeCoop	Daily meme rounds	No	Android
Trivia Crack	Turn-based trivia	No	Android, iPhone
Wordle	Word of the day	No	Browser
Lichess / Chess.com	Chess	No	Browser, Android, iPhone
Among Us	Social deduction	Yes	Mobile, PC, consoles
Gartic Phone	Drawing telephone	Yes	Browser
skribbl.io	Pictionary	Yes	Browser
Codenames	Team word game	Yes	Browser
Stumble Guys	Obstacle races	Yes	Android, iPhone, PC
Brawl Stars	Team action	Yes	Android, iPhone
Heads Up!	Guessing game	In person	Android, iPhone

Which one fits your group?

You text all day but never meet up: an asynchronous game with a daily round (MemeCoop, Wordle). It gives the chat a reason to move every day.
You have one game night a week: Among Us or Gartic Phone on a video call.
You’re into board games: Codenames online.
You’re together and bored: Heads Up! or Never Have I Ever.

Frequently asked questions

What games can you play with friends without being online at the same time?

Asynchronous ones: turn-based games like Trivia Crack or correspondence chess, daily challenges like Wordle, and round-based games like MemeCoop, where everyone plays whenever they can before the round closes.

Are there free games to play in a group on your phone?

Yes. Every game on this list can be played for free; some have ads or optional purchases.

What’s a good game for a group chat?

One that doesn’t require being online together. A daily challenge, like a meme of the day, works great because it gives the group something to talk about every day. You’ll find more ideas in this guide.