Best games to play with your friends online: apps, websites and more

Video calls starting to get boring? Games night gone stale? Or just can’t be bothered to meet up in person? We’ve all been there. Check out our list of the best games to play with your friends online to spice up your next virtual gathering.  

Online mobile games to play with friends

There are lots of fun, free apps out there that you and your friends can make the most of. While you can just interact on the game, it’s always more fun to have a video call going at the same time so you can chat and see people’s reactions.  

Psych

Cost: Free, in-app purchases 

Min players: 2 

Max players: 20 

This game is all about submitting fake answers and convincing your friends that you’re telling the truth. Sounds fun, right? For example, in the ‘Movie Bluff’ category you will be given an obscure movie title and will need to make up a one sentence plot that sounds like it could be real. The aim of the game is to score points by psyching your friends into picking your answer, while trying to suss out the correct one yourself. 

Heads Up!

Cost: Free with in-app purchases 

Min players: 2 

Max players: Unlimited 

If you haven’t heard of Heads Up!… where have you been? Take turns shouting out clues, acting, humming, and ultimately working as a team to try and guess the word on your head correctly. You can play this over a video call or using the House Party app.  

 

 

 

 

 

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8 Ball Pool

Cost: Free with in-app purchases 

Min players: 2 

Max players: 8-player tournaments 

Miss playing a game of pool at the pub with your friends? Well, start up a video call, grab some drinks and download 8 Ball Pool for a virtual pub night. You can go 1v1 or start up an 8-player tournament.  

Among Us 

Cost: Free app on IOS and Android, £3.99 on PC (Steam) 

Min players: 4 

Max players: 10 

This is one of the best games to play with your friends online as it’s easy to pick up and a great way to get everyone talking. Essentially, you play as little spacemen who have to complete tasks around a small map. However, one or two of you are imposters whose only mission is to kill off all the other players.  

Throughout the game you’ll have a number of opportunities to call a meeting and discuss who you think seems suspicious. You can then vote for someone to be kicked off the ship and out of the game. But be careful – you may end up getting rid of one of the good guys.  

Interactive game websites

If your friends can’t be bothered to download an app or you’re having an impromptu games night, then these websites will make things a lot easier. 

Backyard.co 

Cost: Free 

Min players: 2 

Max players: 12 

No need to have a ton of windows open to host your games night, this website has your games, video and text chat all in one place! 

All you and your friends have to do is create a private space and share the password. You can then jump in and start playing versions of your favourite games like Pictionary, Scrabble, Cards Against Humanity and more. They even have options to customise some of the games and a whiteboard if you have your own thing in mind. 

Jackbox games

Cost: Individual games from £6.99, party packs from £18.99 on PC (Steam) 

Min players: 1 

Max players: 8 

The best thing about Jackbox is that all of the games are light, fun, and addictive. Doodle games, writing games, trivia games, you name it, there’s something for everyone. 

Whether you’re interested in buying the individual titles like Drawful and Quiplash or the party packs (which contain 5 games), only one person has to purchase them. The rest just need their phones and to see your screen.  

Playingcards.io

Cost: Free 

Min players: 2 

Max players: Unlimited 

If you’re just looking to pass the time on a video call and play some easy card games then this site is for you.  

You can essentially play any card game you want by setting up your own custom room, or you can pick from a list of their pre-saved games like Crazy Eights and Go Fish. They even have the option to add dominoes, or chips if you want to start a poker tournament.  

Online multiplayer console games

If most of you own at least one console, then these are the best games to play with your friends online right now. 

Mario Kart 8  

Cost: From £36.99 

Console: Nintendo Switch 

Min players: 1 

Max players: 12 

Mario Kart will always be a crowd favourite. So, grab 11 other friends and race around 48 courses and 5 battle modes to decide who the ultimate Mario Kart champion is, once and for all! 

Overcooked 2

Cost: From £19.99 

Console: Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam) 

Min players: 1 

Max players: 4 

This game will put your friendship to the test. The aim is to complete customer orders as fast and as accurately as you can, in a variety of questionable kitchens. From a speeding highway to a rocky ship – games night will definitely get a little heated with this one. 

Animal Crossing

Cost: From £36.99 

Console: Nintendo Switch 

Min players: 1 

Max players: 8 (on your island at the same time) 

If you want a less stressful game, then Animal Crossing is a great way to chill and chat with friends online. You can go to each other’s islands, fish together, catch bugs together, decorate together, and more. It’s so wholesome, you’ll never want to meet up in real life again. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fall Guys

Cost: From £15.99 

Console: PlayStation, PC (Steam) 

Min players: 1 

Max players: 4 in a party 

If you’re a fan of old knockout shows like Wipeout or Takeshi’s Castle, then you’re going to love this one. Each game sees 60 people compete in different challenges – from obstacle courses to team games. Each round will knock out more and more people until there is only one winner left. It can be frustrating when you constantly fall at the last hurdle, but it’s extremely addictive and you and your friends will be on it for hours.  

 

 

 

 

 

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Rocket League

Cost: Free  

Console: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC (Epic Games Store) 

Min players: 1 

Max players: 4 

You don’t have to be into football to get completely obsessed with this game. Yes, it’s just cars hitting a ball around an arena, but it hasn’t remained a fan favourite since 2015 for no reason. Plus, it’s free and you can play across many different consoles, so now there’s no reason not to start up your own Rocket League tournament. 

 

 

 

 

 

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