A Ludo King alternative you play in the browser
Ludo for 2 to 4 players from one link your friends open on any phone or computer. Nothing to install, no ads, no account.
The short version
Ludo King has more of almost everything: 5 and 6 player boards, Snakes and Ladders, voice chat, offline and pass-and-play modes, and a huge crowd of players. On a phone it's an app of close to 800 MB on iPhone, with ads and coin offers. If you just want a game of Ludo with one to three friends tonight, send them a Playboard link. It opens in the browser, and nobody installs anything or makes an account.
Ludo King vs Playboard
| Feature | Ludo King | Playboard |
|---|---|---|
| Installing | Apps for Android, iPhone and Windows (close to 800 MB on iPhone), plus Facebook and web versions | Playboard does this betterNothing to install and no account. It plays in the browser |
| Ads and purchases | Contains ads, plus coins, diamonds and a paid King Pass with no ads | Playboard does this betterNo ads and nothing to buy |
| Inviting friends | Private rooms that friends join through the app, Facebook or the website | Playboard does this betterOne link in any chat: WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram or SMS |
| Players on one board | Ludo King does this better2 to 6 | 2 to 4 |
| Other modes | Ludo King does this betterTournaments, offline play against the computer, and pass-and-play on one phone | Online Ludo with friends, Quick match and a bot |
| Chat | Ludo King does this betterText and voice chat | Text chat in the playroom |
| Playing strangers | Ludo King does this betterA huge player base, over a billion downloads on Google Play | Quick match pairs you with another player, from a much smaller crowd |
| Other games | Ludo and Snakes and Ladders | Playboard does this betterChess, Dominoes, Hearts, Battleship and more on the same site |
We last checked these facts about Ludo King on November 3, 2026.
Games from Ludo King you can play here
Why people look for a Ludo King alternative
Ludo King is the best-known Ludo app, with over a billion downloads on Google Play. For a lot of people it's simply what Ludo means on a phone.
It's also a heavy way to play a board game. On iPhone the app is close to 800 MB. It comes with ads, and the shop sells coins, diamonds and a pass. And everyone at the table has to be in Ludo King itself, through the app, Facebook or its website, before a game can start.
Sometimes you just want to play Ludo. One link in the family group, four colours on the board, and you're rolling.
Play Ludo with friends on Playboard
Ludo on Playboard is the classic cross-shaped race for 2 to 4 players. Roll a six to bring a token out of base, race all four tokens around the board and home, land on an opponent to send them back, and hide on the star squares where you can't be captured.
To play with friends:
- Open Ludo and press Play now.
- Choose Create playroom. Your playroom opens.
- Share the playroom link with your friends on WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram or SMS.
- When everyone's in, tap Ludo. The others tap Join and the board opens.
Each friend joins in their browser. With two players, Red and Yellow face off from opposite corners. With three or four, more colours join the board. The playroom has its own text chat, and when the game ends you can start another or switch to a different game without a new link.
No friends online right now? Play against the bot, or use Quick match to find another player.
What Ludo King still does better
Ludo King does a lot that Playboard doesn't, and it's worth being plain about it.
- Bigger tables. It runs games for 5 and 6 players. Playboard's Ludo seats four at most.
- More ways to play. Snakes and Ladders, tournaments, offline play against the computer, and pass-and-play on one phone, which is handy on a long trip with no signal.
- Voice chat. You can talk inside the app. On Playboard you chat by text, or keep a call going in another app.
- A huge crowd. With that many players there's nearly always someone to match against. Our Quick match crowd is far smaller.
If those matter to your group, Ludo King is the better app.
Which one should you use?
Use Ludo King if you play every day, want six players or Snakes and Ladders, or need to play offline.
Use Playboard when you want a quick game with friends who don't have Ludo King, when they'd rather tap a link than install an app, or when you'd rather keep ads out of a family game. And when Ludo ends in a three-way argument, Dominoes, Hearts and Mexican Train are one tap away in the same playroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Ludo online with friends without downloading anything?
Yes. Open Ludo, press Play now, then Create playroom, and share the playroom link. When your friends are in, tap Ludo and they tap Join. Everyone plays in the browser on a phone, tablet or computer, and nobody installs an app or signs up.
How many players can join?
Two, three or four. With two players, Red and Yellow start from opposite corners. With four, every colour is on the board.
Is it really free?
Yes. There are no ads, coins, gems or passes. Every game on Playboard is free to play.
Can I play Ludo against the computer?
Yes. Ludo has a bot, so you can play a game on your own while you wait for your friends to join.
Does it work on a laptop or PC?
Yes. Any modern browser works: Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge, on Windows, Mac, a Chromebook or a phone.
Can we talk while we play?
Every playroom has text chat. There's no built-in voice, so if you want to talk, keep a WhatsApp or Messenger call running next to the game.
Ludo King is a trademark of its owner. Playboard is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Ludo King.