Free alternatives
Free Alternatives to Worms
Short answer
Hedgewars is the best free alternative to Worms: free, open-source, turn-based artillery with destructible terrain and both hotseat and online multiplayer, in continuous development since 2004 and about 180 MB to install.
Turn-based artillery with silly weapons and destructible terrain is a genre almost entirely defined by one paid series. The free option is a faithful, actively maintained take that has been going since 2004.
Our pick: Hedgewars
StrategyArcade180 MBOpen Source (GPL-2.0)
Hedgewars is turn-based artillery with destructible terrain, dozens of absurd weapons, hotseat and online multiplayer, and a 180 MB install. It is the direct free equivalent of Worms.
How it differs from Worms: Hedgehogs rather than worms, and a slightly different weapon balance. Presentation is charming but less polished than recent commercial Worms entries.
All free Worms alternatives compared
| Game | Genre | Size | Licence | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hedgewars | Strategy · Arcade | 180 MB | Open Source (GPL-2.0) | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| SuperTuxKart | Racing · Arcade | 900 MB | Open Source (GPL-3.0) | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
Hedgewars
Hedgewars is turn-based artillery with destructible terrain, dozens of absurd weapons, hotseat and online multiplayer, and a 180 MB install. It is the direct free equivalent of Worms.
The difference: Hedgehogs rather than worms, and a slightly different weapon balance. Presentation is charming but less polished than recent commercial Worms entries.
Hedgewars is just damn cute. It's immediately understandable, surprisingly deep, and just weird enough to stick in your head. It takes the artillery mayhem of Worms, replaces the soldiers with homicidal hedgehogs, and turns it into a polished free and open-source multiplayer game.
SuperTuxKart
For the same living-room competitive energy in a different genre, SuperTuxKart handles local multiplayer chaos just as well.
The difference: Kart racing, not artillery. Real-time rather than turn-based.
SuperTuxKart is the kind of free game that's impossible not to recommend. It's instantly accessible, genuinely fun with friends, packed with tracks and modes, and backed by a surprisingly active community creating new content.
Questions
What is the best free alternative to Worms?
Hedgewars is the best free alternative to Worms: free, open-source, turn-based artillery with destructible terrain and both hotseat and online multiplayer, in continuous development since 2004 and about 180 MB to install.
Are these Worms alternatives really free?
Yes. Every game listed here is free to start, with no trial masquerading as a full game and no paid competitive advantage. Optional cosmetics and premium extras are allowed. Each game has been tested and played, then assessed against PlayBound's four published criteria — including whether it has That One Thing worth telling a friend about.
Do I need to pay for multiplayer in these Worms alternatives?
No. None of these games charge for multiplayer. Public servers are community-run and free to join, and there is no subscription of any kind.
How is Hedgewars different from Worms?
Hedgehogs rather than worms, and a slightly different weapon balance. Presentation is charming but less polished than recent commercial Worms entries.
How is SuperTuxKart different from Worms?
Kart racing, not artillery. Real-time rather than turn-based.
Every game here has been assessed against the PlayBound Bar — four published criteria for whether a free game is actually worth your time. Every title is tested and played before it is added.