If you enjoy League of Legends, there are several polished MOBA games worth trying — whether you want a deeper strategic challenge, a mobile option you can play anywhere, or a faster, more casual experience. This guide covers the five best alternatives to League of Legends in 2026, with notes on what makes each one different and where to find it.
What makes a good League of Legends alternative?
League of Legends popularized the 5v5 top-down MOBA format: two teams push lanes, fight over jungle objectives, and try to destroy the enemy base. A good alternative shares those core loops — team composition, ability combos, objective control — while adding its own twist in pacing, platform, or mechanics. All five games below are free to play, so there's no cost to try them.
Top games like League of Legends
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Dota 2 — The Deepest MOBA Alternative
Dota 2, developed by Valve, is the closest competitor to League of Legends and runs free on Steam for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It uses the same 5v5 top-down format with three lanes, a jungle, and an ancient to destroy. The key differences are mechanical depth: heroes have more complex interactions, there is a rich item-deny system, and courier management adds a logistical layer absent from LoL. With over 120 heroes, a thriving esports scene including the multi-million-dollar annual tournament The International, and zero pay-to-win elements, Dota 2 rewards the players willing to invest time in learning it. If you're comfortable in League and want a greater challenge, Dota 2 is the natural next step.
Dota 2 is free to download on Steam and runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is the most played League of Legends alternative on PC. -
Smite 2 — Third-Person MOBA Action
Smite 2 (Hi-Rez Studios) reimagines the MOBA from a third-person, over-the-shoulder perspective instead of the traditional top-down camera. You play as gods from Greek, Norse, Egyptian, and other mythologies, and you must physically aim your abilities rather than clicking a target. This makes combat feel more like an action game and less like a strategy game, which appeals to players who enjoy shooters or action RPGs. Smite 2 is free to play on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, offering 5v5 Conquest (the main lane mode), a round-based Arena, and the faster Slash mode. If you love LoL but wish it felt more kinetic, Smite 2 is ideal.
Smite 2 puts you behind your god rather than above, turning every ability into a skillshot you have to aim manually. -
Heroes of the Storm — Casual Blizzard MOBA
Heroes of the Storm (Blizzard Entertainment) is a free-to-play PC MOBA that pulls characters from across Blizzard's franchises — Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, and Overwatch. It deliberately strips away some of the complexity of traditional MOBAs: there is no individual item shop (you pick talents at key levels instead), experience is shared across the entire team rather than per-player, and each of the game's maps features a unique objective that dramatically changes strategy. Matches run about 15–20 minutes, making it noticeably shorter than a typical League game. For LoL fans who want a more casual, team-focused experience with less mechanical gatekeeping, HotS is a strong choice. Note that the game is in maintenance mode with occasional balance updates but no major new content.
Heroes of the Storm features unique per-battleground objectives — controlling the skull boss can flip the match in seconds. -
Pokémon UNITE — Mobile and Nintendo Switch MOBA
Pokémon UNITE (TiMi Studio / The Pokémon Company) is a free-to-play 5v5 MOBA available on Nintendo Switch and mobile (iOS and Android), with cross-platform support. Instead of champions, you use Pokémon that level up and evolve during the match. The win condition is unique: instead of destroying a base, your team scores points by dunking energy balls into the opponent's goal zones. Matches last about 10 minutes, making it the shortest MOBA on this list. The learning curve is gentle enough for newcomers, but the timing of final-minute scoring makes for dramatic comebacks. If you want the 5v5 MOBA feel on your phone or Switch, UNITE is the best option available.
Pokémon UNITE replaces destroying a nexus with dunking energy into goal zones — it's a fresh take on the MOBA formula available on Switch and mobile. -
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang — PC-Style MOBA on Mobile
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (Moonton) is arguably the most successful mobile MOBA in the world, especially in Southeast Asia. It translates the League of Legends experience — three lanes, jungling, item shop, five roles — to touchscreens with careful control redesign. Matches average 10–15 minutes, considerably shorter than a typical LoL game. The roster covers tanks, fighters, mages, marksmen, assassins, and supports, and the meta evolves regularly. It is free to play and available on iOS, Android, and even PC via an official emulator. For League of Legends players who want a faithful mobile port of the MOBA genre, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is the most polished choice.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang closely mirrors League of Legends' five-role system but in matches that take half the time.
Tips for switching from League of Legends
- Start with tutorials. All five games have tutorials or practice modes. Complete them before jumping into matchmaking — your LoL instincts are useful but each game has unique mechanics that will get you killed if you ignore them.
- Expect a reset. Map layouts, cooldown lengths, and attack-move behaviors differ enough that even experienced LoL players will feel like beginners for the first few hours.
- Carry your champion-selection habits. The importance of team composition, counter-picking, and filling a needed role transfers directly from LoL to every game on this list.
- Play unranked first. Ranked modes in Dota 2 and Smite 2 in particular can be punishing for new players. Spend at least 20–30 matches in normal or quick-play modes before climbing the ladder.
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest game to League of Legends?
Dota 2 is the most similar game to League of Legends in terms of format — five players, three lanes, a jungle, and an ancient (nexus equivalent) to destroy. The depth is greater, but the skeleton is nearly identical.
Is there a mobile version of League of Legends?
Yes. League of Legends: Wild Rift is Riot Games' official mobile adaptation, available on iOS and Android. It uses a condensed version of Summoner's Rift and features many of the same champions as the PC game.
Are these games free to play?
All five games on this list — Dota 2, Smite 2, Heroes of the Storm, Pokémon UNITE, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang — are free to download and play. Some offer cosmetic purchases and battle passes, but none require spending money to compete effectively.
Which game on this list is best for beginners?
Pokémon UNITE and Heroes of the Storm are the most beginner-friendly. Both have shorter matches, simpler mechanics, and a less punishing community than Dota 2 or even League of Legends. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is also beginner-friendly if you prefer playing on a phone.
Can I play these games on console?
Yes, partially. Smite 2 is available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Pokémon UNITE is on Nintendo Switch. The others (Dota 2, Heroes of the Storm, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang) are primarily PC or mobile titles, though Mobile Legends has an official PC client.
Conclusion
League of Legends set the template for the modern MOBA, and every game on this list builds on that template in a different direction. If you want more strategic depth, play Dota 2. If you want action-combat aiming, try Smite 2. For quick casual matches, Heroes of the Storm is hard to beat. Mobile players should start with Pokémon UNITE or Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. All five are free, so the best approach is to download whichever sounds most interesting and give it a weekend — your LoL fundamentals will carry over faster than you expect.
