Free checkers games let you play against the computer, a friend on the same phone or players online. Most apps cover American checkers and several draughts rule sets, and many say they play offline. For beginners, look for adjustable difficulty, hints and an undo button.
Checkers is the board game nearly everyone learns first, and it's still one of the quickest ways to get a child thinking a few moves ahead.
I read the Google Play listings for the most installed checkers apps and noted the developer, installs, the ads and in-app purchases labels, the content rating and the offline wording. They're in no particular order.
In the UK the game is usually called draughts, and most of these apps use both names. That matters, because the rules aren't the same everywhere, and an app set to the wrong rules can make a family game feel odd.
Checkers apps compared
| Game | Developer | Google Play installs | Ads / in-app purchases | Offline wording on the listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Checkers Online | CC Games | 100M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'Checkers offline with a friend' |
| Checkers | English Checkers | 100M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Checkers - Online & Offline | GamoVation | 10M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'You can also play offline checkers against the computer or friends.' |
| Checkers Clash: Online Game | Miniclip.com | 5M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'Checkers game can be played both online and offline.' |
| Ludo Now: Online Board Game | Comfun | 5M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Checkers: Classic Board Game | One Way Street Entertainment | 1M+ | Contains ads, no in-app purchases | 'Offline Mode: Play anywhere, anytime, even without an internet connection.' |
| Checkers LiveGames online | NanoFlash LLC | 50K+ | No ads label, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Checkers: Draughts Board Game | App for India | 10K+ | No ads label, no in-app purchases | 'Play checkers without internet anytime' |
| Checkers - Clash of Kings | CC Games | 10K+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
Nine checkers games on Google Play
Checkers Online
CC Games' checkers app is one of the biggest on Google Play, with play against the computer on five difficulty levels, online multiplayer and checkers puzzles. Its listing also mentions hints and undo moves, which helps beginners.
Checkers
This app supports a long list of rule sets, from American checkers to Russian, Brazilian and International, with ten difficulty levels and a two player mode. It also offers a 2D and a 3D board view and several themes.
Checkers - Online & Offline
Quick Checkers covers American checkers on the usual board plus International checkers on a larger one, and plenty of other variants. Its offline game has five difficulty levels to grow into.
Checkers Clash: Online Game
Miniclip's version is built around quick one-on-one matches, with Classic and International modes. The listing says you can practise against bots offline before taking on real players.
Ludo Now: Online Board Game
Ludo Now bundles Ludo, checkers and chess into one app for playing with friends and family online. Its listing highlights real-time voice chat, which parents will want to know about before younger players join.
Checkers: Classic Board Game
One Way Street's app offers classic rules plus regional variants, computer opponents at different skill levels and boards you can customise. It shows a Contains ads label but no in-app purchases label.
Checkers LiveGames online
LiveGames is an online-only checkers room where every game is against a real person, with chat, friends and private tables. The listing describes its players as adults and the content rating is Teen, so it's one for grown-ups.
Checkers: Draughts Board Game
App for India's version lists ten difficulty levels against the computer, plus online play. It shows neither a Contains ads label nor an in-app purchases label on Google Play.
Checkers - Clash of Kings
A second checkers app from CC Games, focused on online multiplayer against players around the world. Its listing suggests sharing the game with children as a reminder of school-day board games.
American checkers, draughts and the other rule sets
English draughts and American checkers are the same game: an eight by eight board, pieces that move diagonally forward, and kings that can move both ways. International draughts uses a bigger board, and Russian or Brazilian rules let ordinary pieces capture backwards.
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If you're playing with someone who learnt the game at school, check which rule set the app starts on. The apps from English Checkers, GamoVation and App for India list the widest choice of variants.
Playing offline against the computer or a friend
Five of the nine listings say you can play offline, either against the computer or with a friend passing the phone. That makes checkers a handy game for a car journey, a waiting room or a power cut.
- Difficulty levels: start low and step up once you're winning most games.
- Hints and undo: brilliant for learning, though it's worth switching them off once you're confident.
- Two player mode: the simplest way to play with a child at the kitchen table without a board.
- Puzzles: short positions to solve, good for building tactics in a few minutes.
Online play, chat and younger players
Online matches are great for adults, but chat changes things for children. Ludo Now lists voice chat, and LiveGames is rated Teen and describes its players as adults. For a younger child, an offline mode against the computer is the calmer choice.
Most of these apps also show an in-app purchases label. Turning on authentication for in-app purchases in Google Play is a sensible first step on any child's device.
Getting better at checkers
- Keep your back row filled for as long as you can, so your opponent can't crown a king easily.
- Control the centre of the board, where pieces have more ways to move.
- Look for forced captures, because you have to take when you can under most rules.
- Trade pieces when you're ahead, since a smaller board is easier to win.
Other board games for the table
If checkers sparks a love of board games, my round-up of classic board games for every age covers the ones families keep coming back to.
For a phone that has to keep everyone busy without wifi, these free offline board game apps for family night include more games you can pass around.
And when checkers starts to feel too simple, my guide to strategy board games and where to start is the next step up.
Frequently asked questions
Is checkers the same as draughts?
English draughts and American checkers are the same game. Other draughts variants use different boards or capture rules.
Can I play checkers offline on Android?
Yes. Five of the nine listings here say they play offline, against the computer or with a friend on the same device.
Which checkers app is good for beginners?
Look for one with low difficulty levels, hints and undo moves, such as the CC Games app or Quick Checkers.
Are online checkers apps safe for kids?
Some include chat, and one is rated Teen. For younger children, play offline against the computer and check the content rating first.
Do these checkers games have ads?
Most show a Contains ads label. The table lists each app's ads and in-app purchases labels.
