Best Free Crossplay Games – What Are Top Cross Platform Options?
13 minutes
Last Updated: May 28, 2024
Members of the gaming community have always dreamed about every game being on the free crossplay games list. But instead of owning 2-3 consoles on top of a very high-end PC configuration, what if we could have it all in one hardware setup?
Well if more game developers were willing to implement crossplay, that issue would be a lot less prevalent. Especially the titles experiencing growth in their Esports scene due to the rise of Esports betting.
Maybe we are on a high dose of Copium but what if more games, apart from competitive multiplayer titles like Valorant, implemented cross platform integration? Well, these free crossplay games provide us with that luxury.
What is crossplay in gaming?
Modern video games that offer a multiplayer mode which lets you interact with users using different platforms to access the same title are said to have cross-compatible play. In essence, having cross-platform integration means only one thing. Users on different video game hardware can access the same version of the game. And thus play together.
While this is a great concept, there are often two hurdles in achieving complete crossplay compatibility. More often than not, it’s hard to maintain competitive integrity when trying to enable crossplay for a title.
A PC user with a mouse and keyboard will have an unfair advantage over console users in competitive multiplayer games. That’s because most of them are tactical FPS titles. At the same time, a PC user would have to spend around $2000 for a PC configuration that can run new games. Meanwhile, the consoles cost only a quarter of that.
There also needs to be a willingness and a level of independence on the side of the developer. Not only do they need to make the run on all platforms. But they would also need to reject exclusivity deals from console platforms. And these are very hard to turn down!
Best Free Crossplay Games 2023
FORTNITE
Crossplay Supported Platforms:PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC & Mobile Devices
Fortnite is probably the pinnacle of free cross platform games, and it’s not even close. With regular content updates, engaging building experience, and dynamic multiplayer shooter aspects, it’s no wonder it’s one of the best cross platform multiplayer games on the market.
And the numbers back up that claim, with more than 350 million registered users worldwide who partake in the ultimate battle royale experience through multiple Fortnite seasons. PUBG might have set the stage, but Epic Games one upped it and created a behemoth with Fortnite.
The title has been free-to-play for years and with sharp crossplay mechanics putting PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Mobile users on the same playing field, it’s hard to argue against its success. And this competitive environment is forging the best Fortnite players we have ever seen.
With a constant stream of new content, Epic Games knows how to keep its audience engaged. Whether its regular events or crossovers of major magnitude like the Travis Scott concert, they make it work.
Making it stand out from the best free cross platform games is the process with which crossplay integration is done.
Naturally, all players must have an Epic Games account linked to their platform of choice. But then they have to manually add their friends to the multiplayer list if they want to partake in crossplay. This might seem counterintuitive and unnecessarily complicated for a Fortnite audience that is notoriously composed of the younger generations.
But it’s the only way such a massive player base can be properly integrated through so many platforms. Currently, it’s supported on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC & and Mobile devices. It’s hard to stand out from the plethora of multiplayer cross platform games, but Fortnite has done it to perfection. Making them the king of free crossplay games. Even though the internet has done its best to stain its reputation with the Fortnite rule 34.
Genshin Impact
Crossplay Supported Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, iOS, and Android.
What happens when a free-to-play open-world action RPG has Gacha elements incorporated into it? Well looking at the Genshin Impact example, it looks like a great success story. Genshin Impact has made such a huge impact since launching in September 2020, that it’s hard to deny it is the cream of the crop when it comes to free cross platform games.
With its stunning visuals and engaging gameplay, the MiHoYo developed and published title has drawn many comparisons to Nintendo’s Breath of the Wild. But apart from a huge and beautiful open world ripe for exploration, this title offers so much more. That is if you are willing to pay for it through the Gacha system.
This is what made the developers $400 million dollars in its first two months, and what fueled its exponential growth. While the single-player experience which equates to about 30 hours is amazing in its own right, Genshin Impact is made with multiplayer in mind. This flexibility is what makes it the best free cross platform games on the market.
But there’s a catch! If the player’s want to participate in the co-op mode, they’ll need to reach Adventurer level 16. That way, they can team up with up to three of their friends on other supported platforms if they are in the same region.
The supported platforms include PC, PlayStation 5, and PS4, and mobile platforms like Android and iOS. There were announcements about a Nintendo Switch port coming, but as of July 2023, that is yet to become a reality.
With so much new content it’s a game you will have a hard time finding boring. It comes in the form of new Genshin Impact characters, collectible Genshin Impact weapons, and the different play styles that they prompt. This means you can unravel secrets, defeat formidable foes, and unlock elemental powers in new enchanting worlds in the company of your friends all the time. And this makes Genshin Impact one of the best free cross platform games at the moment.
League of Legends
Crossplay Supported Platforms: PC (Windows and Mac)
League of Legends is the most popular MOBA game out there and that’s mostly because it’s a free-to-play title. With over 152 million active players over the last 30 days, it’s no wonder many of the best LoL players consider this title one of the best multiplayer cross platform games.
Similarly to Fortnite, the game’s update speed is off the charts. With developer patch notes rolling out every 2 weeks, there’s always something new to learn and try out while climbing the LoL ranks. This also keeps the esports scene fresh and entertaining.
League of Legends Esports events constantly top viewership numbers, in part to them being a great choice for online betting. And this is all without taking into account the massive Chinese market where League of Legends is even more popular.
The game became one of the best free crossplay games because it can run on nearly any device. But this choice is limited only to PCs, running Windows or Mac iOS. Riot Games have also released a mobile port of the game called, League of Legends: Wild Rift. But unfortunately, this platform does not support crossplay and cross-progression.
Being one of the best cross platform multiplayer games for over a decade means that there is a large loyal community that has already spent time on LoL. So if you’re new, you won’t have an issue grasping the basics of the MOBA genre. Since there is a large community willing to help you understand all of the educational content going around.
BrawlHalla
Crossplay Supported Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Android, iOS, Mac, And PC
Looking at a list of the best free cross platform games, Brawlhalla should be your main choice if you’re looking for a fighting game. Not only is this a free-to-play title. But the developers Blue Mammoth Games also made it accessible on nearly every platform. Except for the newer-gen consoles.
While the title is free, it offers a diverse roster of characters called Legends for which you can purchase crossover skins. These include your Legend dressing up as Lara Croft, Shovel Knight, and Ryu from Street Fighter. The widespread accessibility with a strong emphasis on competitive multiplayer gameplay is one of the main reasons 50 million people have played the game since its release in late 2017.
With frantic battles between a large array of customizable characters and plenty of maps to choose from. On top of having no price tag attached and great cross-platform compatibility. It’s no wonder BrawlHalla ranks among the best free cross platform games on the market.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
What is there to say about the most polished FPS game of all time? CS:GO might be just over a decade old, but the franchise is now deep into its third decade of existence. And with Counter-Strike 2 expected to be released to the general public in the following weeks. This glorified Half-Life 2 mod is definitely worth getting into.
CS: GO wasn’t always free to play but it is now through the Steam platform. And while this does mean you can boot it up on your Nintendo Switch, it’s not really an immersive experience. And while it was initially released on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, those consoles are long gone by now.
CSGO was never meant to be a console title, as the best CSGO players have always used a keyboard and mouse to maximize precision and reaction time. That’s why CSGO has focused primarily on PC, with supported versions for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
All of these operative systems support the game and have crossplay enabled despite running different versions of the game. But that hasn’t stopped CSGO from being among the best multiplayer cross platform games.
The title has already broken its record for concurrent players, multiple times this year. With 1,802,853 players being logged into their Steam accounts on May 6, 2023, as the latest peak. And with a new and improved version being on the way? This is the perfect time to cop the best free crossplay games on the Steam platform.
Honorable mentions:
Apex Legends
Crossplay Supported Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Mastering the Fortnite building technique requires a lot of time and effort, something that not many are willing to invest. Even though Epic Games created a mode where building was removed, going back to their battle royale roots, it’s still a major factor in competitive queues.
So if you don’t have the time for all that, and don’t find tactical FPS titles like CSGO amusing, Apex Legends is probably your best bet. EA Games made the title fully crossplay compatible in May 2022 by including the latest-gen consoles from PlayStation and Xbox, and it has done wonders.
The game was developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts, taking the overcrowded subgenre by storm in 2019. It was a free-to-play title from day one but only PS4, Xbox One, Switch & PC users could access it.
Now with a far-reaching audience, the fast-paced free-to-play battle royale has more than 100,000 concurrent players on the Steam platform alone each day. You can choose from a diverse roster of “Legends”. Where each is equipped with unique abilities and playstyles. Meaning that it’s hard to get bored with this game.
As one of the best multiplayer cross platform games on the market, Apex Legends allows you and your friends on different platforms to team up without an issue. You can create squads in order to strategize, communicate, and execute plans in order to conquer Kings Canyon, World’s Edge, and Olympus.
Rocket League
Crossplay Supported Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC(Windows, Mac, Linux)
Rocket League is another great alternative to these free crossplay games because it’s so unique. Physics-based arcade games have been around since the first computers, but putting the player in a sports car made it a complete breakthrough.
Developed and published by Psyonix in 2013, Rocket League managed to combine the high-octane excitement rocket-powered cars bring and pin them against each other on a soccer field. Or a football pitch, depending on where you are.
Rocket League went free-to-play in 2020. Meaning that apart from delivering an electrifying gameplay experience. You and your friends can now dive into this unique experience free of charge. Rocket League is supported on the PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC(Windows, Mac, Linux), meaning it shouldn’t be too hard to get your hands on it.
The title boasts multiple fun multiplayer modes, capturing the true arcade experience and making it one of the best free cross platform games there is. For those with more edge to them, there are multiple competitive modes equipped with a ranking system. Feel free to give it a shot, maybe you will end up being one of the best Rocket League players.
All Free Cross Platform Games in 2023
- Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0
- Paladins: Champions of the Realm: Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS4
- Rogue Company: PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
- Dauntless: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
- Phantasy Star Online 2:PC, PlayStation 4, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One.
- War Thunder: PS4, PC, Mac/Xbox One
- Gwent: The Witcher Card Game:Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, and iOS.
- Hearthstone: PC, Mac, iOS, Android
- SMITE: Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS4
- Destiny 2: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
- Warframe: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC
- World of Warships: Legends: PS4, Xbox One, PC
- Spell Break: Epic Games Store, Xbox One, PS4, Switch
- Realm Royale: Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS4
- Halo Infinite: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Among Us: Android, iOS, PC, Nintendo Switch
Crossplay and Cross Platform FAQ
What are the benefits of crossplay?
There are many benefits to implementing cross platform integration. For instance, users wouldn’t be restricted by their gaming platform. If every game would have crossplay, we could all invest heavily into our PCs, without the need for consoles. That way there wouldn’t be Xbox or PlayStation-exclusive titles.
Meaning regardless of what platform you were using, you could always team up with your friends. You would also be matching up with a much larger audience, which would reduce queue times and make it more interesting.
As for the developers, it opens the title to a larger audience. This means that there is a good chance some of these consumers are just getting to know the franchise and publishers. Which creates a chain effect from which the entire industry can profit.
Can I transfer my progress or in-game purchases between platforms in crossplay games?
It’s important to differentiate what crossplay and cross-progression are. We already explained what cross platform integration means in the opening segment. To be able to transfer your in-game purchases and progress, you would need to be using the same account, regardless of the platform. That is the pure definition of cross-progression.
Crossplay only pertains to users from multiple platforms being able to access the title and match up together. And it’s mostly commonly used to enhance the multiplayer experience. Although some games don’t offer a multiplayer mode or crossplay, but have cross-progression enabled.
Are there any additional costs associated with crossplay in free games?
The short answer is no. If a developer of a title decides their intellectual property can and should come in the form of a single version that would fit on multiple platforms, they can’t and shouldn’t charge their customers for it.
Sometimes this is unachievable, other times there is just no incentive to do it. But once a game has cross platform integration, no additional costs should be charged. Unless the customer wants to purchase some in-game content, for which you would be charged the same regardless of the platform you are using at the time.
Conclusion
With such a large assortment of free cross platform games on the market, it’s hard to make the wrong choice. Each of these titles fills a different need, and that’s why they have such massive communities.
We hope that this list gave you a solid representation of the free crossplay games market, making it easier for you and your friends to choose one. In the end, it’s about having a good time with existing and new friends. Although many of these games offer competitive modes in which you can prove your expertise.
