Last verified: April 2026. Game availability, pricing, and cross-platform support may change with updates.
Finding the right games to play with friends online depends on what your group enjoys: competitive shooters, cooperative adventures, casual party games, or open-world survival. This guide covers the best online multiplayer games available in 2026 across every major platform, organized by genre so you can find what fits your crew.
Best co-op shooters to play with friends online
Helldivers 2 is the standout co-op shooter of the past two years. Up to four players drop into procedurally generated missions on hostile planets, fighting alien bugs and robots with friendly fire always on. The game runs on PlayStation 5 and PC with full cross-play. Its difficulty scaling means experienced squads can push into brutal challenge tiers while newcomers can ease in on lower settings.
Monster Hunter Wilds, released in February 2025, brought cross-platform play to the Monster Hunter franchise for the first time. Teams of up to four hunt massive creatures across open maps, crafting weapons and armor from the parts they carve. The game supports cross-play between PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Destiny 2 remains a reliable co-op option for groups that enjoy long-term gear progression. The base game is free-to-play, and the real draw is cooperative PvE content: raids, dungeons, and seasonal missions that require coordination. Cross-play works across all platforms.
Apex Legends is a free-to-play battle royale with squad-based gameplay for teams of three. Movement mechanics, character abilities, and fast gunplay distinguish it from other shooters. It supports cross-play on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
Best open-world and survival games for groups
Minecraft is still the most universal multiplayer game available. It runs on virtually every platform (PC, consoles, mobile), supports cross-play, and its creative sandbox has no learning curve ceiling. Survival mode with friends remains one of gaming’s most reliable shared experiences.
Sea of Thieves puts crews of up to four on a pirate ship, sailing an open ocean to find treasure, fight skeleton forts, and battle other player crews. Rare has added years of free content updates, and the game supports cross-play between PC and Xbox.
Subnautica 2, released in 2026, adds four-player online co-op to the underwater survival formula. Players explore alien ocean biomes, build underwater bases, and manage resources together. It is a slower-paced option for groups that prefer exploration and base-building over combat.
Valheim supports up to 10 players on a dedicated server, exploring a procedurally generated Norse afterlife. Building, crafting, and boss fights provide structure, while the open world encourages freeform exploration. PC only.
Best competitive multiplayer games to play with friends
Rocket League is free-to-play and available on every major platform with full cross-play. Its concept (soccer with rocket-powered cars) takes minutes to understand and years to master. Matches last five minutes, making it easy to fit into any session length.
Mario Kart World, the latest entry in Nintendo‘s racing franchise, launched on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. Online multiplayer supports up to 12 players. For groups with Switch hardware, it is one of the most accessible competitive games available.
Street Fighter 6 brought new players into the fighting game genre with its modern control scheme, which maps special moves to single-button inputs. Online ranked and casual modes support cross-play between PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
The Finals is a free-to-play squad shooter from Embark Studios set in a destructible game show arena. Teams of three compete in objective-based modes where the environment can be demolished and rebuilt. Cross-play across PC and consoles.
Best party and casual games for friends online
Among Us still works for larger groups (4 to 15 players). The social deduction formula holds up, and cross-play between PC, consoles, and mobile means everyone can join regardless of platform.
The Jackbox Party Pack series (packs 1 through 10, plus The Jackbox Party Essentials on Netflix) lets one person host from a PC or console while everyone else plays on their phones through a browser. Games range from drawing contests to trivia to word games, and they work over voice chat for remote groups.
It Takes Two, from Hazelight Studios, is a two-player co-op game where both players must work together to progress through a story about a couple on the verge of divorce. The game won the 2021 Game of the Year award at The Game Awards. Only one player needs to own the game; the other can join free through the Friend’s Pass.
Baldur’s Gate 3 supports up to four players in online co-op, turning the D&D-inspired RPG into a shared tabletop experience. Sessions can run for dozens of hours, making it the best option for groups that want a long-term campaign.
Cross-platform compatibility at a glance
| Game | Price | Players | Cross-play platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helldivers 2 | $39.99 | 1-4 co-op | PS5, PC |
| Monster Hunter Wilds | $59.99 | 1-4 co-op | PS5, Xbox, PC |
| Destiny 2 | Free (expansions paid) | 1-6 co-op | All platforms |
| Apex Legends | Free | Squads of 3 | All platforms |
| Minecraft | $29.99 | 2-8+ (server) | All platforms |
| Sea of Thieves | $39.99 | 1-4 co-op | PC, Xbox |
| Rocket League | Free | 1-4 per team | All platforms |
| Among Us | Free (mobile) / $4.99 | 4-15 | All platforms |
| Fortnite | Free | 1-4 squads | All platforms |
| Baldur’s Gate 3 | $59.99 | 1-4 co-op | PC, PS5, Xbox |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best free games to play with friends online?
Fortnite, Apex Legends, Rocket League, and Destiny 2 (base game) are all free-to-play with cross-platform support. Among Us is free on mobile. The Finals is free on PC and consoles.
What is the best co-op game for two players?
It Takes Two is designed specifically for two-player co-op and won Game of the Year in 2021. Only one person needs to own it. For longer sessions, A Way Out (from the same studio) and Portal 2 are also strong choices.
Do all multiplayer games support cross-play?
No. Cross-play availability varies by game. Most major free-to-play titles (Fortnite, Apex Legends, Rocket League) support it across all platforms. Paid games vary: check the cross-play table above for specifics.
What is the best game for a large group of friends?
Among Us supports up to 15 players. Jackbox Party Packs support up to 8 or more depending on the game. Minecraft servers can hold dozens of players. For competitive play, Fortnite and Mario Kart World support 12+ player lobbies.