Honest comparison

A backgammon-only alternative to Plato

One game instead of fifty. No account. Dice you can verify.

Plato is a chat app with more than 50 games in it, backgammon among them. Gammon42 is only backgammon: ranked games, tournaments, a computer opponent and a proof of fair dice, for people who came for the board and not for the chat room.

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Why this page exists

People who play backgammon on Plato and look for something else usually want more backgammon, not more games: a rating that means something, tournaments, a computer to practise against, and some assurance about the dice. That is what Gammon42 is built around. Below, the two apps side by side, so you can pick the one that fits how you play.

Side-by-side comparison

Plato Gammon42
What it is A messenger with 50+ multiplayer games, backgammon among them A backgammon app
Account needed to play Not stated in its listing No
Playing a friend Inside its group chats Invite link or friend code, no account for either player
Play against the computer Not mentioned in its listing Three levels, also offline
Chat Group chats, chat rooms and voice chat Text chat in games, in the lobby, in groups and in private messages
Ranked play Ranked games and leaderboards ELO rating from ranked games, leaderboards
Tournaments Run by players Public and private tournaments
Ads Says it is ad-free Only opt-in rewarded videos
Dice fairness: public explanation Not mentioned in its listing A proof for every online game (SHA-256 commitment, verified in the app)
Web browser play Not mentioned in its listing Yes
Mobile apps iOS + Android iOS + Android
Languages listed on the App Store 19 8
App Store ratings (US) 287,170 ratings, 4.7 average 6 ratings, 4.7 average

Plato's column is taken from its US App Store listing as read on 13 October 2026. Ours describes version 1.3.1. Please email us if anything is out of date.

An honest read of who fits where

Plato is a good app, and for many groups of friends it is the right one. It solves a different problem. Here is where each one is stronger.

Choose Plato if you want…

  • Many games in one place: pool, chess, dominoes, cards and more
  • A full messenger, with group chats and voice chat
  • No ads at all
  • A very large community and 19 interface languages

Choose Gammon42 if you want…

  • An app where backgammon is the whole point
  • To play within seconds, with no account and no email
  • A computer opponent at three levels that also works offline
  • Dice you can verify yourself after every online game
  • Public and private backgammon tournaments and an ELO rating
  • An interface in Greek, Romanian or Serbian, and a browser version

Frequently asked

Is Gammon42 free?
Yes. There is nothing to buy in order to play, no paywall and no subscription. Power-up packs are optional purchases, and the only ads are opt-in rewarded videos (you watch one to claim a small bonus); ads never interrupt a game.
Does Gammon42 have other games?
No. It is backgammon only: ranked and casual games, Boosted games with power-ups, tournaments and games against the computer.
Can I talk to my opponent?
By text, yes: there is chat during games, in the lobby, in groups and in private messages. Plato also has voice chat, which Gammon42 does not have in version 1.3.1.
How do I play a friend?
Every player has a friend code and an invite link. Send either one to your friend; neither of you needs an account.
How are the dice generated?
On the server, with a cryptographically secure generator. Every online game also comes with a proof: a SHA-256 commitment is published before the game starts and the seed is revealed at the end, so the app verifies every roll and you can repeat the check yourself.
Are there mobile apps?
Yes. Gammon42 is on the App Store for iPhone and iPad and on Google Play for Android, and the web version runs in any mobile browser.

Try it — no account, nothing to buy

Open the board, play a game, decide for yourself. If it is not for you, no signup means nothing to cancel.

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