10 best mobile games that can be enjoyed without spending a penny

If you’re a console or PC gamer, it’s easy to punch down at mobile games. Unfortunately, mobile games have a reputation for insidious hidden costs, often dwarfing the price of full-blown AAA games.

On the bright side, this isn’t always true, so let me show you the 10 best mobile games that can be enjoyed without spending a penny.

Related: The 10 Best weapons in Vampire Survivors

Top 10 best free mobile games

Before we dive into the list, I want to explain the definition of ‘free’ for the following games. Many games on the IoS and Play Store are ‘free to start’ but quickly assault the player with offers or gate progression so much that you need to open your wallet. Whereas many games on this list are monetized, you don’t have to interact with that aspect of the title to have a good time.

Phigros

• Genre: Rhythm Game
• Developer: Pigeon Games
• Monetization: None

Rhythm Games are addictive, challenging, and perfect for a short session when you’re out and about or commuting. Phigros is completely free, has a massive selection of music, and every unlockable song is earned through gameplay.

As for gameplay, it’s everything you want in a solid Rhythm title. It’s mechanically simple but brutally hard on higher difficulties. I’ve been a Rhythm Game fan since the DDR Euromix days and can’t believe Phigros is completely free. I’ve played countless premium titles that offer far less.

Pokemon GO

• Genre: GPS Game
• Developer: Niantic
• Monetization: Premium Events require real money and Cash Shop.

Alright, here’s low-hanging fruit. If you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t played Pokemon GO yet, it’s a creature collectathon on a global scale. Over the years, so much content has been added it’s hard to keep up!

There is a cash store and premium events, but the latter is optional, and Poke Coins for the store can be earned through the titles Gym system. If you’re hopping on board the Pokemon hype train for the first time, you’ve got hundreds of hours of gameplay to sift through before you even need to consider spending.

Data Wing

• Genre: Racing Adventure
• Developer: Dan Vogt
• Monetization: None

Some indie games are extraordinary because it’s obvious they are passion projects for the developers. Data Wing is one of those, and it’s an incredible adventure from start to finish. Data Wing is a story-driven, single-player experience with zero adverts and no cash shop.

I don’t want to spoil the story, but you control a small ship, completing ever more demanding tasks. The controls feel similar to Asteroids, with the same floatiness, but the gameplay is much more unique. There’s a lot to love with Data Wing, and it has a superb synth-wave soundtrack carrying you through the whole experience.

Plague Inc

• Genre: Strategy
• Developer: NDemic Creations
• Monetization: Premium version available

Although the concept is pretty grim, Plague Inc. is a stellar strategy game tasking you with wiping out humanity with a killer virus/disease.

Every choice matters, from where your outbreak starts to how you mutate to stay ahead of humanity’s efforts to eradicate you.

Plague Inc. isn’t a new game, but it’s the best at what it does, and it’s exceptionally challenging. There is a premium option, but the base version will keep you busy for dozens of hours.

AFK Arena

• Genre: Strategy/Auto Battler
• Developer: Lilith Games
• Monetization: Cash Shop

AFK Arena is an Auto Battler with a deceptive amount of strategy. As a new player, you’ll build a team of heroes from different factions and take on mountains of PvE content. 

There have been numerous crossovers, with a superb assortment of characters joining the fray, including the Prince of Persia and Geralt of Rivia!

While monetized content does seem more prevalent at the time of writing, I’ve played AFK Arena for 3 years and have never felt pushed to spend. 

Genshin Impact

• Genre: Action RPG
• Developer: HoyoVerse
• Monetization: Cash Shop

Genshin Impact is a superb RPG with an intricate story and engaging combat. HoyoVerse seems to have caught lightning in a bottle with this title, as it’s incredibly popular. 

There is a Gatcha System for unlocking characters, but unlike many similar titles, some of the strongest Genshin Impact characters are free. 

 If your phone is beefy enough to run it, there is an absurd amount of content to play through, and the title is constantly updated. 

Honkai Star Rail

• Genre: RPG
• Developer: HoyoVerse
• Monetization: Cash Shop

While we’re on the topic of Genshin Impact, Honkai Star Rail is another stellar title by HoyoVerse. Honkai Star Rail has a more Sci-Fi setting than Genshin Impact and has traded action combat for turn-based. 

Everything you expect from HoyoVerse games is here, from gorgeous graphics to superb storytelling. Honkai Star Rail is lighter on content than Genshin Impact, but there are still dozens of hours of gameplay to enjoy.

Super Auto Pets

• Genre: PvP Auto Battler
• Developer: Team Wood Games
• Monetization: Expansion Packs

Super Auto Pets is an auto battler where you assemble a team of animals with unique abilities and pit them against other players. There’s a ton of complexity, but it’s all wrapped in simple mechanics that are easy to understand. 

I’m probably one of the worst strategy game players on the planet, and even I can occasionally win Super Auto Pets!

While the Expansion Packs are a little expensive, the base selection of pets is free. There’s also a no-cost Weekly Pack that contains an assortment of premium pets. There are also dumb hats to unlock; what’s not to like? 

Vampire Survivors

• Genre: Bullet Heaven
• Developer: Poncle
• Monetization: Adverts

Vampire Survivors is a furiously addictive ‘Bullet Heaven’ game where you try to hold off hordes of monsters as long as you can. There’s a rewarding progression system and dozens of secrets and unlockables. 

The mobile port is a faithful take on the popular PC and Console versions, and the simple controls make Vampire Survivors a perfect fit for a small screen.

Usually, I’m not too fond of Ads as a monetization method, but they aren’t a problem in Vampire Survivors. They exist but aren’t nearly as obstructive as in many other titles. 

20 Minutes Till Dawn

• Genre: Bullet Heaven
• Developer: Flanne
• Monetization: Premium version

Bullet Heaven games are addictive, but it’s often hard to keep up with what’s happening, especially on a small screen. 20 Minutes Till Dawn is a stylish take on the genre, and the striking color scheme helps the player keep track of the gameplay.

20 Minutes Till Dawn is a challenging Bullet Heaven, but it’s a lot of fun with a thumping gritty soundtrack. There’s a premium version with extra features, but there’s a generous amount to do for free.