There are dozens of backgammon sites and apps — some excellent, others loaded with mechanics that drain the fun out of the game. Here’s how the best-known ones compare, from an English-speaking player’s perspective.

Transparency caveat: we’re Gammon42, so this review is biased. But it’s honestly biased — we’ll tell you where others are better, not just where we are.

What matters when you choose

Before the comparison, the criteria that actually make a difference:

Mandatory account — many platforms force you to register before you can play
Coins / in-game currency — the “freemium with coins” model is everywhere; it caps you at X games until you have to buy more
Paywalls / subscriptions — some have a paid “premium” mode that unlocks features
Ads — interrupting vs. optional (rewarded video) vs. none at all
Play with friends — via a link with no signup, or an account required for both players
Mobile — a native app, or does it just work cleanly in the browser
Tournaments and ranked — for competitive players
Dice fairness — publicly explained or not

Quick comparison

Platform	Free with no asterisk	Account required	Coins	Ads	Native English	Play with friends, no account
Gammon42	✅	❌	Sparks, earned in play	Opt-in rewarded videos only	✅ Native	✅ Link or friend code, no account
Backgammon Galaxy	With coins	✅	✅	Limited	✅	❌ Both need account
247 Backgammon	✅	❌	❌	Banners	✅	❌ Only vs. computer
Lord of the Board (mobile)	❌	✅	✅	✅ Interstitials	✅	❌ Account
Backgammon Live (mobile)	With coins	Facebook, to invite friends	✅	Not stated	✅	❌ Through Facebook
Plato (mobile, 50+ games)	✅	Not stated	Not stated	None, per its listing	✅	Not stated
Backgammon Online (PlayOK)	✅	✅	❌	Banner	✅	❌ Account
iTavli	Limited	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌

The Gammon42 row was updated on 9 October 2026. Backgammon Live and Plato were added the same day, from what their own App Store listings say; “not stated” means the listing does not say. The other rows are from May 2026. Anyone can change their model: if you spot something out of date, let us know.

Details on each

Gammon42 — play at once, with friends or ranked

Our strong point is the absence of friction: open the browser or the app and play. No account is needed and there is nothing to buy in order to play; games are unlimited. It runs on iPhone, iPad and Android and in the browser, with ranked games on an ELO rating, Boosted games with power-ups, public and private tournaments, and practice against the computer on three levels, offline too. You play a friend by sending an invite link or an 8-character friend code. Every online game comes with a proof that the dice were fixed before it started. Where others are ahead: the community is smaller than in the big mobile apps, there is no engine analysis of your games yet, and only standard backgammon is offered. Play →

Backgammon Galaxy — for competitive players

The most prestigious platform for tournament players. It has XG2 analysis (the best that exists), official tournaments (Nordic Open, World Championship), and educational content led by grandmasters (Marc Olsen, Mochy). Downsides: the 2025 v2 introduced a coin economy that upset many users. The Star Member subscription ($7.99/month) unlocks features. Playing with a friend requires both of you to have an account. Detailed comparison →

247 Backgammon — for solo play vs. the computer

A simple site: no account, no coins, no upsells. The one big drawback: it’s computer-only — there’s no real multiplayer against other people. Good for practicing alone, wrong choice if you want to play with friends or strangers.

Lord of the Board (mobile)

A popular mobile app with an aggressive coin economy, interstitial ads, and a premium mode. It has a large user base (so you’ll always find an opponent), but the commercialized UX ruins the experience for many. Recommended only if you accept the monetization in exchange for the big community.

Backgammon Live (mobile)

One of the largest backgammon apps, by Come2Play. Its App Store listing describes tournaments, a live chat inside the game, and coins and items won through challenges and daily bonuses. To invite friends, the listing points to connecting with Facebook. A good choice if you want a big, lively player base and don’t mind a coin economy.

Plato (mobile)

Not a backgammon app but a chat app with more than 50 multiplayer games, backgammon among them. Its listing stresses group chats, voice chat and playing inside a conversation, and calls itself ad-free. A good choice if your friends are already there or if you want to talk while you play several different games; less so if you want ranked backgammon, tournaments built around the game, or dice you can verify.

PlayOK / Backgammon Online

A classic games site (it’s been around for years). Real multiplayer, no coins, but a dated interface and a design that looks like 2008. Account required. For people who prefer function over aesthetics.

iTavli

A Greek platform, with more users from Greece. It supports the traditional Greek variants (portes, plakoto, fevga). In English, with a Greek version of its site. Uses coins.

Which one to choose

Casual, want to play fast: Gammon42 or 247 Backgammon (the latter only if you don’t care about multiplayer).

Want competition, tournaments, per-match analysis: Backgammon Galaxy. Accept the commercial model.

Want multiplayer with specific friends: Gammon42 (invite link or friend code, no account), Plato if you mostly want to chat while you play, or Backgammon Galaxy (account required for both).

You only play on mobile and want the biggest crowds: Lord of the Board or Backgammon Live, if you accept coins.

Want the traditional Greek variants: iTavli.

Want to play instantly with no account and nothing to buy: Gammon42 — on iPhone, Android or in the browser. That no-friction start, with a friend one link away, is our real differentiator.

A test for any new platform

Before you make an account, ask:

Can I play a game without registering?
Are there coins / currencies to buy?
How does it make money? Ads? Subscription? Selling coins?
Can I play with a friend without them making an account?
Does it work cleanly on a phone (browser or app)?

The answers to these tell you more than any pretty screenshot.

Want to start now?

Play on Gammon42 →