Here are the very best online games to play with friends

Finding ways to stay connected through online games has become second nature for plenty of friend groups who want to hang out without leaving their homes. The options have grown well beyond the early-pandemic staples, and several of those original titles still hold up while new ones have joined the rotation. Whether you are after quick sessions or longer campaigns, these picks cover a range of styles and price points, all built around playing together from separate locations.

Toontown Rewritten

Toontown Rewritten keeps its free-to-play MMO format intact with the latest update v4.4.0, released June 27, 2026, that remasters headquarters content and adds new playground developments. Players still team up to fight Cogs using gags, go fishing, collect Doodles, and customize houses. The community continues to support the game with regular patches, so the cartoon world stays lively for groups that enjoy cooperative, lighthearted combat and exploration.

The Game of Life

The Game of Life 2 brings the familiar board-game structure to digital life with cross-platform multiplayer on Steam, mobile, and consoles. Interactive animations handle life events, and mini-games help players boost their cash totals. Frequent sales keep the price low, and the sequel adds more ways to compete or cooperate across devices without needing everyone in the same room.

Minecraft

Java Edition snapshot 26.2 introduced a Friends List and peer-to-peer multiplayer options that make it easier to jump into remote sessions with specific people. The game remains available on nearly every platform, from consoles to phones, so groups can build, explore, and survive together regardless of hardware. The core appeal of creative building and shared worlds has not changed, only the logistics of finding each other online.

Jackbox Party Packs

The series now reaches Pack 11 with Pack 12 slated for 2026, yet older entries still go on sale regularly across Steam, consoles, and mobile. Titles like Quiplash and Fibbage remain favorites for quick group laughs because one player streams the game while everyone else joins on phones. The format rewards quick wit and inside jokes, which keeps it popular for recurring game nights even years after the first packs launched.

Zoom Pictionary

Zoom’s whiteboard still works for drawing prompts on the fly, but dedicated browser tools have taken some of the load. Sites like Drawize add private rooms, AI judging, and telephone-style variants that keep rounds moving without extra setup. The core loop stays the same—sketch, guess, laugh—but the extra features reduce friction when schedules are tight or connections vary.

Monopoly

Official digital versions from Marmalade Game Studio support online multiplayer, Pass & Play, AI opponents, and cross-platform play on mobile and desktop. Players can fight over properties and railroads through global matchmaking or private lobbies, so the classic property-trading tension transfers cleanly to screens. The apps handle banking and dice rolls automatically, which speeds up long sessions and cuts down on rule disputes.

Among Us

Among Us stays free to download with optional in-app purchases and continues receiving updates outlined in the 2026 roadmap, including new roles and friends-list features. Groups create private lobbies or use the built-in friends system to keep sessions closed to outsiders. The social-deduction loop of completing tasks while spotting impostors remains sharp for parties of four to fifteen, and short rounds make it easy to fit into an evening call.

Roblox

Roblox offers a free platform filled with user-generated experiences that run across phones, computers, and consoles. Friend invites and party features let groups jump straight into the same server without extra setup. Trending titles range from obstacle courses to role-play worlds, so the same account can support different moods on different nights while keeping everyone on the same platform.

Digital Board Game Platforms

Tabletopia hosts more than 2,500 board games with online multiplayer, giving groups access to titles they might not own physically. Many games support free or low-cost play, and the interface handles rules, dice, and card draws automatically. Remote sessions feel closer to a real table because each player sees the shared board and can chat through built-in voice or external calls.

Browser-Based Drawing Games

Drawize and similar sites deliver real-time drawing and guessing directly in the browser, removing the need for a separate video app. Players join private rooms, set custom prompts, and choose modes that include AI judging or chain-drawing telephone variants. The tools run on most devices, so a quick sketch session can start without installing anything beyond a link.

These selections keep the focus on games that reward group coordination and conversation, whether the session lasts ten minutes or several hours. The mix of free platforms, frequent sales, and cross-device support means most friend circles can find at least one option that fits their hardware and schedules without extra cost. Regular updates across the list show that developers continue to refine remote play features, so the same titles remain relevant even as new ones arrive.