Today I have a list of the best online multiplayer games to play with friends, including our favorite catchphrase, an online version of the game.
There are tons of free multi-player games listed below, as well as some paid options that you can either play online or need to purchase in the app store.
Learn HOW TO SETUP A VIRTUAL GAME NIGHT here.
Catchphrase
Play CATCHPHRASE online here
Another online version of catchphrase here.
- Online
- Free
- Unlimited Players
If you’ve never played Catchphrase, you are in for a treat. Use your words to describe a person, place, or thing. This might be too overwhelming with a HUGE group on a video chat, but since only half of the people are guessing at one time you could probably play with a good number of people.
Another idea would be for everyone to guess in the chatbox. You’d need another member of the non-guessing catch phrase team to watch for when someone gets it right.
There’s no need to make your own catchphrase game; it’s super easy to play the online version.
SETUP SUGGESTIONS
- OPEN THE ONLINE GAME
- Everyone goes to the catchphrase random word generator and select catchphrase in the drop-down menu on game gal, the website for online word games.
- I’d select easy words to start and then access after one round.
- AGAIN, note that everyone needs to open the generator and click “new word” when it’s their turn to give clues for their catchphrase word.
- PASSING
- You’ll need to designate a word or movement that is similar to passing physically passing the game when it’s the next player’s turn to give clues for a new word. Passing or mimicking a high five on the screen would be my recommendation. This way, if the next player isn’t paying attention to the catchphrase online game and doesn’t high-five the screen during the “pass,” they would lose just like in the in-person version.
- This is obviously played on the honor system, but be sure to ask members of each team that aren’t giving clues to pay attention to who gets caught with the handoff.
- KEEPING SCORE
- Keep score on a sheet of paper, a google document, or in the chatbox.
- Divide into teams. Play the catchphrase game online. Have some fun!
HOSTING A PARTY INVOLVES 6 ROLES.
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An Online Escape Room
- Online
- Free or ($) Paid
- Some of these can be played with large groups of 24+.
- An online espace room will be fun for a virtual holiday party, end-of-semester class party, or a big friend’s gathering if everyone lives far away.
There are tons of online escape rooms nowadays. Here are some of the best:
- Black Noir | $ | 3-5 Players | Can play with larger groups and split into teams of 5 to compete against each other
- Modern Genius | $ | 3-5 Players | Can play with larger groups and split into teams of 5 to compete against each other
- Lost Artic | $ | 4-6 Players | Can play with larger groups and split into teams of 5 to compete against each other
- The Panic Room | $ | 1-8 Players | A large selection of panic room options!
- Hogwarts Escape Room | Free
- Escape the Crate | Free
SETUP SUGGESTIONS
- The host needs to purchase a game or a game pack.
- The host must stream the game on your TV [Turn a device towards the tv] or on your computer and screen share. I highly recommend the host use two devices for this. Mute the device pointed at the TV and, show your face + talk on the other device so that all your friends can interact with you!
- All players log in with the unique game code and play!
Jackbox TV
Play Jackbox TV here.
Our favorites games are Drawful 2 + Fibbage + Quiplash.
- App/ Streaming Platforms/ Online
- ($) A host must purchase a game or game pack
- Up to 8 players — although some game packs allow extra players to join + watch + influence the game
You will love Jackbox TV Games as online multiplayer games with friends BECAUSE Jackbox Tv Games make you feel like you are all in the same room playing. One person is the host; everyone else can play on their phones or computers from anywhere. Just type in the game code and start playing!
SETUP SUGGESTIONS
- The host needs to purchase a game or a game pack.
- The host must stream the game on your TV [Turn a device towards the tv] or on your computer and screen share. I highly recommend the host use two devices for this. Mute the device pointed at the TV and show your face + talk on the other device so that all your friends can interact with you!
- All players log in with the unique game code and play!
Werewolf
Play Werewolf online here.
- App
- Free
- Unlimited Players
This game is far too complicated for me to explain here, but if you’ve ever played Mafia, this is similar.
SETUP SUGGESTIONS
- Everyone downloads the app.
- Follow along with your roles.
- Discuss and vote in person rather than in the app.
Codenames
Play Codenames online here.
- Online
- Free
- 2-8 Players
- Available in a variety of languages, not just English.
Codenames is our favorite in-person party game, so we are beyond excited it is now available online, too. The online version of Codenames is the words edition (vs. pictures in the tangible game).
Each game started with a five-by-five grid of word cards that everyone could see. The clue givers can also see which cards belong to their team. The game’s objective is for your team to guess all the words in your team’s color first, without guessing the black word, which instantly ends the game and gives the WIN to the other team.
This game requires careful hints and a round or two to get the hang of it, but once you understand the game, it is a crowd favorite.
SETUP SUGGESTIONS
- CREATE THE ROOM
- The host creates a room on the Codenames Website.
- Once the room has been created, the host can share the room link, which can be found in the upper left-hand corner.
- GAME SETUP
- All players join and pick whether they are operatives (guessers), Spymasters (clue givers), or spectators.
- This site is pretty robust and allows you to keep score, randomize teams, make the game more difficult with the addition of a time, and even offers an option for color-blind players.
- PLAY
- All players log in with the unique game code and play!
Psych!
Play Psych! here.
- Online
- ($) In-App Purchases for Host Only
- Unlimited Players
Pysch! is similar to the Jackbox Game — Fibbage [above]. The idea is to get together with friends and answer ridiculous trivia questions. The catch is, the multiple choices you’re given include the correct answer as well as a bunch of incorrect answers that all your friends submitted.
SETUP SUGGESTIONS
- Everyone downloads the Psych! App. Only the leader/host needs to navigate the game.
- All players log in with the unique game code and play!
Exploding Kittens
Play Exploding Kittens online here.
- App
- ($) App Purchase for every player
- 6 Players
We play the card version of this game all the time. It’s a silly but strategic version of Russian roulette. Highly recommend giving this a try as an online multiplayer game with friends.
SETUP SUGGESTIONS
- Everyone downloads the app.
- Link together into one game.
- Cross your fingers you don’t get the exploding kitten.
Selfie Game
Play the Selfie Game here.
- App
- Purchase by host
- 3-10 Players
Think Pictionary, but wackier and using all the player’s faces. Selfie will give you pictionary ideas, but you get to draw them using everyone’s face, making it exponentially more fun, and everyone will surely laugh.
SETUP SUGGESTIONS
- The host needs to purchase a game or a game pack.
- The host must stream the game on your TV [Turn a device towards the tv] or on your computer and screen share. I highly recommend the host use two devices for this. Mute the device pointed at the TV and show your face + talk on the other device so that all your friends can interact with you!
- All players log in with the unique game code and play!
Read the Room
- App
- Free
- 3-12 Players
Think Never-Have-I-Ever meets Family Feud.
SETUP SUGGESTIONS
- SETUP
- The host needs an iPad or Apple TV. Download the game, and it’s setup is similar to Jackbox Games’ setup
- If using an iPad — connect iPad to your Macbook via wire using Quicktime on Mac. New Movie Recording > select iPad as “Camera” Share your screen.
- Every player downloads the game and logs in using the unique game code. Have a good laugh!
PODCAST EPISODE! Listen to an episode about Hosting Gatherings (even virtual ones) here.
Charades
- Online
- Free
- Unlimited Players
We all know how to play Charades, I am guessing. If you don’t, I am sure there are many amazing YouTube videos to give you a lesson.
This charades generator takes all the work out of it! There is no need to come up with charade ideas, whether in person or virtual. Just have everyone open up the charades game website and you’ve got a simple game for all age groups.
SETUP SUGGESTIONS
- Everyone goes to the Charades random word generator
- Divide into teams. Play Charades. Laugh a lot.
Heads Up
Play Heads Up here.
- App
- Free for Basic Decks
- Unlimited Players
A fun game that would be super easy to play on game night and test your descriptive vocab. If you love catchphrase, you will also love Heads up! They are very similar games.
Both Heads Up! and Catch phrase have extensive word lists to choose from.
SETUP SUGGESTIONS
- Every person (or household) would need to download the Heads Up app. One person completes an entire round on their phone before the next person goes.
Cards Against Humanity
Play Cards against Humanity online here.
- Online Game
- 4- 6 Players
This website has a Cards Against Humanity-esque game which they are calling Remote Insensitivity.
SETUP SUGGESTIONS
- Everyone joins a video call so they can chat while playing.
- One person creates a game and shares the link with all other players.
- All movements are synchronized and you can play real time.
Bonus! Play cards online:
CardzMania
- Online
- Free
- Depends on the game, but a max of 7 players to play online
If you are looking for a chill night of chit-chat and a card game then CardzMania is a great choice. Hearts, Pinochle, Rummy, Spades, Canasta, Crazy 8s, Euchre, and more are all available to play live with multiple friends from any location.
SETUP SUGGESTIONS
- Create an account. Invite your friends. Relax and play cards.
- If you want to video chat while you play, you’ll need to open up a separate video chat window.
Looking for classic board games you can play online?
Our favorite?
Catchphrase online game, Jackbox Games + Heads-up.
Ready to host your online game night? It’s pretty simple.
Pick a date. Send the invite. No need to clean your house, cook, or clean up. Just pour yourself a beverage and spend quality time with friends.
Read more about How to Host a Virtual Game Night.
If you used this blog post to host an online game night, I’d love to hear about it!
What did you play? Will you host an online game night again?
