The best free co-op games are those with heaps of replayability, engaging gameplay that makes everyone feel equally involved, and–of course–no price tag. Free games don’t have to mean limited or low-quality, and this list is here to prove it.
These games span all kinds of genres: competitive shooters, relaxing life sims, puzzle adventures, survival horrors, and even naval warfare. Some of the more high-stakes games focus on tight communication and precise coordination, while others are all about gentle discovery or just hanging about in a shared environment. Whether you want high-pressure matches or low-stress social play, there’s something out there that fits everyone’s social group (and budget).
PUBG Battlegrounds
- Release date: 20 December, 2017
- Developer: PUBG Studios
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
PUBG Battlegrounds is one of the games that helped define the modern battle royale genre, and its free-to-play model (which it’s had ever since 2022) makes squad-based survival more accessible than ever. Dropping onto a massive map with up to 100 players, you and your team of between 2-4 people scramble for weapons, armor, and vehicles while the playable area steadily shrinks. It’s tense, unpredictable, and often brutally unforgiving. It’s also frequently very funny.
A full round takes no more than 30 minutes, usually, and it’s a great game for dipping in and out for a bit of social time. Squads that work together tend to last longer, while lone-wolf behavior or ignoring the needs of your team will end badly, unless you somehow have eyes in the back of your head. Even quieter moments, like looting a town together or setting up an ambush, feel more engaging as a small team, and there’s more at stake when you’re trying to stick together in the face of that ever-closing circle. It takes some practice, but eventually you might just be the last players standing.
Apex Legends
- Release date: 4 February, 2019
- Developer: Respawn Entertainment
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Apex Legends is another battle royale-style game, but one with a bit more speed and personality, as well as some of the best character choices in the genre. You play in teams of three, choosing from a roster of Legends, each with unique abilities that reward and encourage cooperation. Success in Apex isn’t just about aim or personal skill, it’s about how well your abilities work together. The roster of Legends is ever-changing, with expanding lore and new seasons that switch things up, so it’s a great game to have on standby for group games.
Matches move fast, but there’s still room for strategy and adaptation. One game might be a chaotic sprint from fight to fight, while the next becomes a careful, tactical push toward the final circle. Playing with the same friends makes it even better, as you learn each other’s habits and develop natural roles over time, but it’s also a challenge to bring new pals into the game and see how they cope. Apex Legends is slick, approachable, and deeply team-focused–a standout free co-op shooter and one of our favorites. If you want more battle royale options, check out our list of the best battle royale games currently available.
World Of Warships
- Release date: 17 September, 2015
- Developer: Wargaming
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
If you’re looking for a slower, more tactical kind of co-op, World Of Warships might just hit the spot, swapping a need for quick reflexes for positioning, timing, and coordination. The fluctuating pace of World Of Warships gives you and your buddies time to talk, plan, and react, which makes it a great choice for players who enjoy thoughtful teamwork with a smidge of action thrown in.
In World Of Warships, you’ll command an array of impressive naval vessels, from nimble destroyers to towering battleships, engaging in large-scale sea battles against other players (or AI opponents). It’s surprisingly relaxing–right up until the cannons start firing. Different ship classes have distinct roles, and teams that take the time to coordinate those roles perform far better. Destroyers scout and harass, cruisers provide support, and battleships deliver heavy firepower. New ships and upgrades provide long-term goals for your seafaring gang, and you can play now completely free.
Infinity Nikki
- Release date: 5 December, 2024
- Developer: Infold Games/Papergames
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, iOS, Android
If you love games like Genshin Impact and dressing up in cute clothes, here’s where you and your friends go next. Infinity Nikki blends exploration, fashion, and light co-op into a dreamy open-world experience of surprising quality despite being free-to-play. At its core, Infinity Nikki is about wandering a beautifully stylized world, completing quests, solving small puzzles, and collecting outfits with special abilities. It’s gentle, cozy, and deliberately low-stress. Inviting a friend along only enhances the experience–completing trials together, sharing your best ‘fits, and even holding hands. Aww.
Despite being primarily single-player, Infinity Nikki always gets a recommendation as a chill co-op game as it removes pressure and lets you hang out in peace. There’s no rush, no punishing difficulty spikes, and no need for perfect execution. It encourages conversation, experimentation, and creative expression. If you’re looking for a free co-op game that has the vibe of, say, a craft evening or a coffee shop date, Infinity Nikki might be a refreshing change of pace.
Palia
- Release date: 14 December, 2023
- Developer: Singularity Six
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
Some of the best free co-op games are ones that are specifically built with social play in mind, and Palia is no exception. It’s a cozy community sim that’s all about building a life, making friends, and working together. Set in a colorful fantasy world, it lets you farm, fish, cook, decorate your home, and explore at your own pace. There’s no combat pressure here, so if a battle royale is your idea of co-op hell, the focus on cooperation and shared progress will suit you a little better.
Co-op in Palia feels natural and relaxed. You can gather resources together, help each other complete tasks, or just hang out while working on personal projects. Some activities are faster or more rewarding with multiple players, encouraging casual teamwork without forcing it. It’s the kind of game where conversation flows easily while you play, and it’s great for all abilities and ages. If you want to give your pals a bit of a boost, check out our comprehensive guide to Palia’s recipes.
Fall Guys
- Release date: 4 August, 2020
- Developer: Mediatonic
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Fall Guys is lots of fun, just ridiculous party chaos in which you and your buddies run about completing obstacle courses as little bumbling bean-shaped guys. Dozens of players are eliminated round by round until one winner (or team) remains. It’s one of those games people of all abilities can jump right into, with no complex rules or controls to learn. It’s also completely free.
While it’s technically competitive, Fall Guys has plenty of co-op challenges where you don’t have to beat each other. Rounds are short, the visuals are cheerful, and losing is often just as entertaining as winning. As a free co-op-friendly game, Fall Guys is ideal for groups who want something light and accessible with plenty of replayability.
Unturned
- Release date: 7 July, 2017
- Developer: Smartly Dressed Games
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Unturned is one for fans of great zombie games. You could argue it’s the ultimate form of co-op when it’s your group against the zombie threat and one bite could ruin everything. Set in a zombie-infested world with a distinctive, low-poly art style, Unturned has you scavenging for supplies, building shelters, and fighting to stay alive against both the environment and the undead. It’s a little rough around the edges, but that’s part of its charm (and need we remind you, it’s free).
Other players online might be friend or foe, so it’s probably safer to bring your own gang for backup. Sharing resources and watching each other’s backs turns the constant threat of zombies into a shared problem to solve, while taking care of other players by handcuffing bandits or even raiding survivor camps becomes part of the challenge.
No More Room In Hell
- Release date: 31 October, 2013
- Developer: No More Room In Hell Team
- Platforms: PC
No More Room In Hell is old, yes, but it’s also a tense, atmospheric free co-op horror game inspired by classic zombie films that still holds up if you’re willing to give it a shot. It emphasizes realism, limited resources, and slow, dangerous encounters over feeding frenzies, and a single subtle mistake can put the entire team at risk.
Originally a Half Life 2 mod given wings, successful co-op in No More Room In Hell is essential to survival and can incorporate up to eight players to a team. Players must communicate constantly, share supplies, and cover each other during objectives. If you want something with less of a retro feel, you can try out the sequel, No More Room In Hell 2, but you’ll have to pay for that one.
DYO
- Release date: 14 February, 2018
- Developer: Team DYO
- Platforms: PC
DYO is a small but clever co-op puzzle game built entirely around two-player cooperation. Each player controls their own little Minotaur, and the pair of them can hop between two halves of a split screen. It’s mind-bending and requires some serious outside-the-box thinking, and nearly every puzzle requires precise coordination, timing, and communication. It’s simple to understand, but surprisingly challenging to master.
DYO never lets one player do everything. You’re both responsible for manipulating and rearranging each half of the map to give you the platform you need to progress. The split-screen local couch co-op vibe is always a winner in our book, and if you’re looking for more check out our list of the best couch co-op games.
We Were Here
- Release date: 3 February, 2017
- Developer: Total Mayhem Games
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
We Were Here is a co-op puzzle adventure built entirely around communication and creative problem solving. There are newer and perhaps better games in the series, but the original remains free and a solid game for co-op sessions. The premise is simple: two players are separated in a mysterious castle, each seeing different things and solving different puzzles. The only way forward is by talking to each other and sharing information clearly.
This setup makes cooperation the core mechanic, and can lead to a genuinely very challenging (and yet rewarding) loop where you’re trying to get inside the other player’s head. You’re constantly describing symbols, layouts, and clues, trying to piece together solutions without ever seeing the same view. It’s short but memorable, and perfect for a focused co-op session. We Were Here proves that a great co-op game doesn’t need complex systems–or to cost any money–sometimes, all you need is a good idea and two players willing to work together.
