How they compare
| What you need | Jackbox | Kiasu Games |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Buy a Party Pack and install it on a computer, console or TV | Open kiasu.games in a phone browser |
| Screens | A shared screen everyone can see, plus a phone for each player | One phone passed around, or a phone each. No shared screen needed |
| Cost | A one-off purchase for each Party Pack. Only the host needs to own it | In Sync free. Spot the Fib free for up to 3 players. Party Pass US$6.99 for 12 hours of every game |
| Players | Most games take up to 8, and more can join as the audience | In Sync is for 2. The party games take 3 to 10 |
| Playing apart | Yes, by sharing the screen on Zoom or Discord | Yes, in Spot the Fib, Wild Card and In Sync: everyone joins the same room on their own phone, by link or code |
| Questions and prompts | Written by Jackbox, the same for every group | Built-in content, plus AI that writes questions and fibs for your group |
When Jackbox is the better pick
- You have a TV or projector and want a big-screen show.
- You want an audience of dozens watching and voting along.
- You want lots of games to choose from and don't mind buying a pack first.
When Kiasu Games is the better pick
- There's no TV: a restaurant, a bar, a hotel room, a car ride or a picnic.
- You want to start in under a minute, with nothing to download or buy first.
- Your group has mixed ages, or not everyone has a phone handy.
- It's just the two of you. In Sync is a free game for two.
- You want games about the people in the room: true facts, "most likely to" questions and end-of-game titles made for your group.
Other free games like Jackbox
- Gartic Phone: a free drawing telephone game in the browser. Prompts turn into drawings and back again.
- skribbl.io: a free draw-and-guess game in the browser.
- Codenames Online: a free browser version of the word clue game for two teams. Best with 4 to 8.
- bigboard.games: free arcade games like air hockey and snake. You push your phones together to make one big board, so it's for the same room only.
The games on Kiasu Games
- In Sync: a quiz game for two. Answer the same question in secret, then reveal together. 2 players, about 10 minutes. Free.
- Spot the Fib: two truths and a lie, with an AI fib. 3 to 10 players, about 20 minutes. Free for up to 3 players.
- Most Likely: "who's most likely to" questions about your group. 3 to 10 players, about 15 minutes.
- Wild Card: a fill in the blank party game for grown-ups. 3 to 8 players, about 30 minutes.
Your first game with a group of 4 or more is free. After that, a Party Pass is US$6.99 for 12 hours of every game, for everyone in the room.
Questions
Is Kiasu Games made by Jackbox? No. Kiasu Games is a small, independent party game website from Singapore. It has no link with Jackbox Games.
Do we need a TV? No. One phone with a web browser, passed around the room, is enough. In Spot the Fib, Wild Card and In Sync, everyone can also use their own phone. There's nothing to install.
Is it free? In Sync, the game for two, is free. Spot the Fib is always free for up to 3 players, and your first game with a bigger group is free too. After that, a Party Pass is US$6.99 for 12 hours of every game, for everyone in the room.
Can we play over Zoom? Yes, in Spot the Fib, Wild Card and In Sync. The host opens a room and sends the link, and everyone plays on their own phone while you talk on the call. No screen sharing needed.
Are there free games like Jackbox? Yes. Kiasu Games is free to start, and Gartic Phone, skribbl.io and Codenames Online are free browser games for groups.
More guides
- Games for couples: ten free games for two, at home, on a date or apart
- How well do you know me?: 50 questions for couples and best friends, and how to score them
- Games to play with friends: in the same room, on a video call, or just the two of you
- Bar games: party games on one phone, plus classics that need nothing
- Social games for adults: games about the people you're with, for any crowd
- Kahoot alternative for parties: an honest comparison for parties and team socials
- Would you rather questions: 60 questions: funny, couples, friends, work, deep and kid-safe
- This or that questions: 60 quick picks for couples, friends, work and family
- Most likely to questions: 60 questions for friends, family, work and couples
Jackbox, Jackbox Games and Jackbox Party Pack are trademarks of Jackbox Games, Inc. Gartic Phone, skribbl.io, Codenames and bigboard.games belong to their owners. We name them only to compare.