Top 10 best real-time online multiplayer games for iPhone and iPad (iOS)
How to stay competitive on the move
Updated: Original list by Jon Mundy, Updated by Jupiter Hadley on December 17th, 2024
It's good to play together. The thing is, as we all get busier and more spread apart from our friends, it gets more and more challenging to simply sit in the same room and play games.
If you're a PC or console gamer, it's long been normal to get online and indulge in some high-quality multiplayer competition.
Things are a little less well developed on mobile, for obvious reasons, but that's not to say there are no good online multiplayer options.
And just to reiterate, we're not talking about asynchronous mobile-friendly games here. We're talking full-on live competition.
There are plenty of examples of live online multiplayer games on iPhone and iPad, but these five represent the different styles and genres that are out there. As such, we reckon there's something to tempt every iOS gamer online here.
1
Brawl Stars
Brawl Stars is a 3v3 or 5v5 real-time MOBA where you need to enter different arenas to take on PvP battles. There are tons of heroes from existing franchises, as well as new heroes you've probably never seen before. Though there is a battle royal style fight, there is also a soccer-themed game where you need to score goals and a bounty battle too and a Geist mode where you need to keep a safe covered. With so many modes, you'll not get bored.
2
Marvel Snap
Marvel Snap is an award-winning, collectable card game that has rounds with the length of three minutes. Using locations all around the Marvel Universe, and heroes from the same place, you can play cards against opponents and attempt to beat them. There are a lot of cards to collect, decks to build, and strategies to master in this card game.
3
Totally Reliable Delivery
Totally Reliable Delivery is a whacky and fun online multiplayer where you can deliver packages or just run around creating funny moments. The world feels vast and cartoon-ish, there are secrets hidden around everywhere, vehicles that you can fly or drive, and so much fun to be had.
4
Sonic Racing
Sonic Racing allows you to play as one of the 15 different characters you may recognise from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, learning their various skills and abilities to better beat your friends around the track. You can create an entire team if you'd like, as well as take on your friends in a bunch of different tracks to see who is the fastest out there.
5
League of Legends: Wild Rift
League of Legends: Wild Rift also gets the mobile touch, with their 5v5 action-packed MOBA. You can battle in the arena, selecting heroes and using their abilities so that you can best beat your opponents. The area has hidden spots, minions running around, and lots of different places to set up your own towers for defense.
6
Among Us
Among Us has you spending some time on a ship, either playing as a crew mate or the impostor. The crew members need to solve various tasks around the ship to get it to it's destination, where as the imposter does not. Their job is to kill off all of the crew mates and not get ejected for acting suspicious. It's a really fun game to play!
7
Roblox
There are thousands of real-time online multiplayer games where you can play along with other people all over the world. There are so many different genres of games, games being updated daily, and ways to play with your friends. If you are looking for something a little different, here is where you should be.
8
Trigger Fist
Trigger Fist is a big dumb online multiplayer shooter that doesn't take itself too seriously. That's important.
But more important here is the fact that the developers have thought long and hard about getting the genre to work well on touchscreen devices. Their solution: a panned-back third person view and simple controls that ditch the Y axis completely.
9
Sky: Children of the Light
Sky: Children of the Light is a really beautiful multiplayer where you can't directly talk to the other people in the game. Instead you see them moving around, solving puzzles, and going to various places - you can watch and tag along if you'd like. Your character (and all of these others) are trying to restore the light to the sky. It's a lovely game to get sucked into.
10
Super Stickman Golf 2
Golf isn't typically a live multiplayer experience, but Super Stickman Golf 2 thwacks convention away like Rory McIlroy teeing off at The Open.
The key here is Race Mode, which tasks up to three players with racing to the hole on each colourful course. It's a frantic delight every time.
