Online Board Games to Play with Friends Free in 2024

Board games were earlier a table top activity but with the advent of online games, online board games are gaining popularity. Online board games are web based or app version of the popular board games that we generally play with our friends and family and our community. You can now play with your friends from anywhere online without being physically present at the same place. You can now have that fun playing with your friends from anywhere across the globe. These games works well for virtual game night.

In this post we will discuss in detail about multiple sites that keep you entertained by offering you to play your favorite board games online. Before that let’s have a quick look at the benefits of board games.

Benefits of Playing Board games

Who does not like to play board games? This is equally entertaining and for some people it connects them with their past. Here are some of the benefits of playing board games:

1. This helps in bringing people closer and building new relationships. As it is played between 2 or more players, cooperation and teamwork between the players is essential. This in turn builds new relationships and strengthens them.
2. Playing board games reduces stress. This also increases your creativity and learning thereby relieving stress. This can make you happy while also reducing your stress.
3. Board Games also increase your brain function. Playing stimulates the areas of the brain that are responsible for memory formation and complex thought processes. Engaging in various games will help in increasing your decision making capability, problem solving skills, etc.
4. Playing board games teaches you to be patient. You can learn to play strategically and be patient in a fun way while playing games.
5. Playing board games enhances creativity and increases your self confidence. Board games are highly beneficial for shy children. Playing helps them to develop stronger senses of individuality and creativity.  
6. The best part is that you can play board games anywhere and at any time. Whenever you are anywhere and feel lonely, you can play and connect with like minded people.

But it is not always possible to play at the tabletop. With digitization playing board games has become simpler and easier. Now you can play board games with your friends or strangers online. There is also an option to video chat or voice chat which makes it easier to play the game online on your smartphone. 

And whether you play online or physical board gaming, whichever you prefer is fine. The goal is to have entertainment by playing these games. In physical gaming there is no need to upgrade or do updates and it is also socially satisfying. 

But in online gaming there is no need to go to a store physically for an expansion set rather with a few clicks you can upgrade and play. Apart from this you can play online anytime and from anywhere. Only needed is your laptop or your phone to play.

If you like to play board games online then here is a list of the board games that you can play online and have fun.

 Best Online Board Games

Monopoly

Monopoly is a multiplayer economics themed board game that is enjoyed by all across the globe. It originated in the early 20th century and is also known as the Landlord’s game. The first digital version of Monopoly was launched back in 2008 as a mobile game for the iPhone. It was later also launched for Android devices.

The Monopoly game is the same as the game that is played as a physical board game. It provides the same experience as the rules of the game are the same and it becomes more convenient to play online. This is a real estate game for 2 to 8 players. The aim of the game is to accumulate wealth by purchasing properties and collecting rents and to bankrupt your fellow players.

With digitization Online Board Games has become more exciting. By paying the joining amount, you can play with your friends and create a private game also. It has also additional quick mode feature and the app is available on both Google Play store and Apple play store.

Ludo 

Who does not like Ludo? It is the all time favorite Board Games of all age groups. Playing Ludo brings back our childhood memories of playing this game with our friends and family. But with the evolution of online games, Ludo has also become popular and now you can compete with thousands of players using your smartphone. 

The rules of the game remain the same. Play with your opponents and also you can earn money by playing your favorite board game.

Carrom

Carrom is one of the most popular Board Games which is enjoyed in parties with friends. This is played between a maximum of 4 players. Now you can play this game online from the comfort of your home. There are a number of carrom apps which allow players to take part in tournaments and win exciting rewards and prizes. You have a time limit within which you need to shoot your shot before your opponent makes their move. It is available for free on both Apple and Google Play stores.

Mahjong

It is a tile based Board Games developed in China in the 19th century. It is a complex board game played between four players. It is a game of strategy and skills and it’s a great way to have fun while exercising your brain. If you want to try your hand at it and master the game, you can play them online for free on mahjong.com.

Clue

Clue game is a murder mystery Board Game for three to six players that was devised in 1943 by British board game designer Anthony E. Pratt. It can also be played online. You can try and solve the case wherever you are. Move through the mansion, collect various clues, and try to figure out the murderer in this game. You can create private multiplayer games to connect with other Clue fans worldwide.The official version of the app can be downloaded for INR 180 .

It has both single-player and multiplayer mode. In the single-player mode, you compete with the app’s challenging AI; in the multiplayer mode, you get to enjoy the game with your friends or people from other places.

Dominoes

Dominoes is one of the most famous tile based Board Game played with gaming pieces. The digital form of the game has 3 loops. Draw Dominoes (easy, match tile with one of the two ends), Block Dominoes (similar to the previous, but here you’ll have to pass your turn if you run out of options), and Dominoes All Five which is the most complex.

Scrabble Go

This is another fun Game if you love to play crosswords. The online version gives you the official board, tiles, and Scrabble word dictionaries. It has two modes : the free mode and the premium mode. 

The free mode allows you to play the game in its classic, original style, plus some new word games like Duels, Word Drop, Tumbler, and Rush. You also have access to the League Leaderboards, Practice Mode, and Track Stats. The premium mode has an ad-free experience, access to exclusive content, rewards for Weekly Challenges, unlimited use of the Scrabble Scholar boost, full access to the Word Power Meter boost, and additional Arena Tickets delivered straight to your inbox.

It offers a one week free trial and has a very competitive AI making the game more challenging and competitive.

Uno

Uno is a party card Online Board Games which you can play online against your family, friends, and people all over the world. You can play this card game at any time and anywhere  alone, with friends, or even with strangers. It is very easy to learn whether you are a beginner or an expert. If you are used to the physical card game, then you can easily play the online version of it. Sending cards and gifts to friends is a cool added feature. New rules and guidelines are easy to learn and understand.

Sagrada

It is a dice drafting game that allows players to build a stained glass window by by building up a grid of dice on their player board. It is a product of Floodgate Games, along with Cosmic Colonies and Holi : Festival of Colors, but the mobile app version is powered by Dire Wolf Digital. It is a highly rated 1 to 4 player game for ages 14 and above that plays in about 45 minutes.

The game looks easy but it depends on the dice. The dice decides what color and shades you can use which makes it complicated. Dice with the same colors or numbers may not be positioned next to each other.

The app version is same as the physical game. The only difference is that the color of the dice looks brighter and fuller, plus there are added animated effects. You can also play the game against the app AI. This game is available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. 

Mysterium 

Mysterium is a cooperative game of deduction and teamwork for two to seven players. This is designed by Oleksandr Nevskiy and Oleg Sidorenko. This has a thrilling experience whether you are a beginner or an expert. The online version of this game let’s you decide what role would you like to play. You can either be the ghost who hands out the clues to everyone or one of the psychics who are trying to unfold the mystery. Either way, you’ll enjoy the mobile version as much as you do the board game.

Codenames

It is a fast paced party game that keeps everybody engaged. It is a multiplayer game great choice for families and friends. Create a room, adjust the settings and preferences, then send the game link to your friends and join the video call and start playing. Codenames involves giving clever clues to help your team identify friendly secret agents and avoid the deadly assassin.

Guess Who

It is one of the easiest game and is a two-player board game where players each guess the identity of the other’s chosen character. To play this game, users have to create a private room and send a link and password to another player. Each player has to select a character, then choose from a list of pre-existing questions. After the other player responds to the question, the program automatically eliminates options accordingly. At the end of the game, the program names a winner and assigns a score.

Pictionary

It is a charades-inspired word-guessing game invented by Robert Angel with graphic design by Gary Everson. It is one of the best board games for kids. Pictionary is a fun game where players try to guess what other players are drawing. You can create a private room for yourself and other players, then take turns scribbling and guessing at drawings that appear in real time. You can also play virtual Pictionary by using the digital whiteboard feature in your video conferencing platform.

Taboo

Taboo is a word guessing and party game published by Parker Brothers in 1989. The goal of the game is to guess the word what your teammates are describing. You’ll want to divide teams evenly, get the cards ready, and have a timer. As you play you should try to give creative clues, listen for your opponents to say the taboo words. For best experience, participants should use video meeting software to play the game.

Boggle

This is a word game and is easy to play online with friends. Players can make as many words they can from the random letters. Creativity and quick thinking is required to play this game. First choose from 4×4, 5×5, or 6×6 formats. Then, send the game pin code to participants. Once the timer starts, players hunt for words to type into the box. As per Boggle rules, the letters within the words must be adjacent and you cannot use the same letter tile twice in one word. Learn the simple rules of this game and start racking up those points.

FAQ:

What are online board games?

These are digital version of classic board games. These games can be played via website, app, or video game consoles.

What are the best online board game websites?

The best online board game sites include Board Game Arena, Playingcards, Tabletopia, and Tabletop Simulator.

What are some examples of good multiplayer online board games?

Some good multiplayer board games include Scrabble, Scattergories, Codenames, and Pandemic.