10 Most Fun Free-to-Play iPhone Games

Apple’s App Store is home to hundreds of thousands of games. From the most rudimentary, classic style puzzles, word games, and quote unquote “brain trainers”, to the more full-fledged, standalone gaming console titles — re-tooled exclusively for the iOS platform. So with the many games to choose from, chances are we all have one, or perhaps even two, that we’ve grown particularly fond of over the months or years of playing. What’s more perfect than a bit of “you time” playing your favorite iOS game; especially when it doesn’t cost any money, right? And it’s with those sentiments in mind that we’ve scoured the App Store in search of the top 10 most popular, free to play iOS games of all time — so you can see for yourself if what you’ve been playing is “in”, or get acquainted with a new favorite game altogether.

1.) Words With Friends by Zynga

Featuring a simple, scrabble-style mode of game play, Words with Friends by Zynga is the 10th most downloaded ‘free to play’ game title on the Apple App Store. Challenge your friends, family, or the computer, to an epic game of Words with Friends; it’s the closest you’ll ever get to playing scrabble, without actually playing scrabble.

2.) Dots: A Game About Connecting by Playdots, Inc.

Dots, a game about connecting, ranks as the #1 game in 23 countries. Featuring a simple, easy-to-learn interface, the basic premise of Dots is to connect two or more like-colored dots on the game board, ideally forming a square in the process, if possible. Be careful, though — Dots is awfully addicting!

3.) QuizUp by Plain Vanilla Corp

QuizUp is a general trivia quiz game that’s ideal for two or more players. Designed for the fast-paced mood and style of a party, Quiz Up is one of the first iOS games to not only allow you to discover new knowledge, but also new people from all around the world who’re also playing QuizUp.

4.) Candy Crush Saga by King

Strangely addictive, undeniably influential, yet intrinsically obnoxious to play — if you’re looking to do so for free, that is.. Candy Crush Saga is one of the most polarizing titles on the App Store — not to mention, one of the most popular. This candy-themed puzzle game is free to play, but be warned — you’re all but certain to be hustled for cash, sooner or later.

5.) Angry Birds by Rovio Entertainment, Ltd.

Angry Birds by Rovio Entertainment is another one of the pioneers on the app store. Boasting an increasingly challenging game play, you’ll catapult a bounty of “bird bombs” into the structures within your play area. The game is extremely addicting, free to play, and loved by all.

6.) Labyrinth by Codify AB

The classic Labyrinth game of balance and steadiness comes to your iPhone or iPad thanks to Codify AB. Featuring a new 60 frames-per-second HD game play, optional 3D walls, tactile feedback, and more, the popular Labyrinth game on iOS is free to play, easy to learn, and difficult to put down. 

7.) Temple Run/Temple Run 2 by Imangi Studios, LLC.

The wildly popular Temple Run franchise by Imangi Studios, LLC., is back again with its second installment, Temple Run 2. Swiftly navigate a series of treacherous cliffs, zip lines, forests, and all types of terrain, as you attempt to escape despite the obstacles laid out before you. Temple Run 2 was downloaded by over 20 million players within just four days of its launch, according to PhoneArena.

8.) Dashy Crashy by DUMPLING design

Swipe your finger to shift lanes or change your speed, but try to avoid crashing at all costs. As you weave your way through traffic, outdriving other cars and avoiding collisions, you’ll collect points to unlock tons of new cars with new capabilities. Rated 9.5 out of 10 by GameMob, as a “must have” for both casual and competitive mobile gamers. 

9.) Threes! Free by Sirvo, LLC.

Crowned as Apple’s “Game of the Year” and winner of the 2014 Apple Design Award, Threes! offers you a simple, yet incredibly addictive, puzzle game that truly does “grow on you.” As you shift tiles across the game board, you’ll add like-valued tiles together, clearing the board for additional tiles, and more game play.

10.) Cut The Rope: Experiments/Time Travel by ZeptoLab UK Ltd. 

Join On Nom, the candy-loving cartoon character, as he conducts a series of exciting experiments, or travels back in time to collect candies, in either of these exciting, uber popular iOS titles by ZeptoLab UK Limited. Enjoy 175 levels of free, physics-inspired game play, as you gain superpowers and help Om Nom collect as many candies as he can stomach.

Before we release our Mac games guide, consult with MacGamerHQ. That’s where the inspiration for this post came from.