Free Fire vs PUBG MOBILE vs Call of Duty: Mobile: which battle royale should you play?

Free Fire suits quick matches and lower-end devices, PUBG MOBILE favors realistic battle royale play, and Call of Duty: Mobile is the pick for players who want varied modes and ranked action.

At a glance

Free Fire: 9th AnniversaryGARENA INTERNATIONAL I
Google Play4.3 out of 5
PriceFree
In-app purchasesYes ($0.09 - $99.99 per item)
PlatformsAndroidiPhone
Age ratingTeen
PUBG MOBILELevel Infinite
Google Play4.3 out of 5
PriceFree
In-app purchasesYes ($0.29 - $199.99 per item)
PlatformsAndroidiPhone
Age ratingTeen
Call of Duty®: MobileActivision Publishing, Inc.
Google Play4.3 out of 5
PriceFree
In-app purchasesYes ($0.99 - $99.99 per item)
PlatformsAndroidiPhone
Age ratingMature 17+

Ratings, prices and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 7, 2026. Listings change over time.

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How we compared them

All three are free-to-play action shooters with large player communities, regular content updates, and battle royale play. Free Fire focuses on short survival matches, PUBG MOBILE emphasizes a realistic battle royale experience, and Call of Duty: Mobile combines battle royale with multiplayer and ranked modes.

This comparison weighs their Google Play ratings and reach alongside their stated features, costs, ads, and trade-offs. It will help you choose based on the kind of matches you want and the hardware or spending compromises you are willing to accept.

How we compared them

We compared each game's Google Play rating and install count, price, ads, and in-app purchase range, as well as its content rating and release date. Store figures were read on November 7, 2026.

We also considered how each game presents its modes and strengths, including match pace, graphics, content variety, and device or connection trade-offs. This is a comparison of the supplied store information and established product features, not a hands-on performance test.

Free Fire: 9th Anniversary icon

Free Fire: 9th Anniversary

by GARENA INTERNATIONAL I

4.3 out of 5 on Google Play

Best for: quick battle royale matches and lower-end devices

Free Fire's clearest edge is its 10-minute survival-shooter format: it makes battle royale easier to fit into a short session than the more expansive feel of PUBG MOBILE. It is also optimized for lower-end devices, and its 1 billion-plus installs point to a very large matchmaking community.

The trade-off is less map variety than its rivals, and its in-app purchases can reach $99.99 per item. It is rated Teen and has no ads, while occasional connectivity problems and battery drain during long sessions remain drawbacks.

Price
Free
Platforms
Android, iOS
Age rating
Teen

Pros

  • Short, 10-minute battle royale sessions
  • Optimized for lower-end devices
  • 1 billion-plus installs and no ads

Cons

  • Less map variety than its rivals
  • Purchases reach $99.99 per item
PUBG MOBILE icon

PUBG MOBILE

by Level Infinite

4.3 out of 5 on Google Play

Best for: realistic graphics and strategic battle royale

PUBG MOBILE is the strongest fit for players drawn to immersive, realistic-looking battles, strategic play, and a broad selection of weapons and vehicles. Like Free Fire, it has more than 1 billion installs, and its large player base supports quick matchmaking.

That scope comes with heavier demands: the game needs ample storage and a stable internet connection, and it can consume substantial battery. Purchases reach $199.99 per item, the highest ceiling here; it also contains ads and is rated Teen.

Price
Free
Platforms
Android, iOS
Age rating
Teen

Pros

  • Realistic graphics and strategic battles
  • Wide range of weapons and vehicles
  • 1 billion-plus installs

Cons

  • Purchases reach $199.99 per item
  • Large storage needs and high battery use
Call of Duty®: Mobile icon

Call of Duty®: Mobile

by Activision Publishing, Inc.

4.3 out of 5 on Google Play

Best for: varied multiplayer modes and ranked action

Call of Duty: Mobile offers the broadest stated mix of play, bringing battle royale together with multiplayer and ranked action. Its varied modes, smooth controls, and regular updates make it the most natural choice of the three for players who want more than a battle royale focus.

Its 100 million-plus installs are fewer than the billion-plus totals for Free Fire and PUBG MOBILE, though its community is still substantial. It contains ads, is rated Mature 17+, and large, frequent updates can add to its storage demands; purchases reach $99.99 per item.

Price
Free
Platforms
Android, iOS
Age rating
Mature 17+

Pros

  • Battle royale, multiplayer, and ranked modes
  • Smooth controls and user interface
  • Regular content updates

Cons

  • Fewer installs than Free Fire or PUBG MOBILE
  • Large, frequent updates and high battery use

Which one should you pick?

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FAQ

Which game is best for short sessions?

Free Fire is the clearest choice: its store summary describes it as a 10-minute survival shooter.

Which game has the most realistic battle royale experience?

PUBG MOBILE is the strongest fit if realistic graphics and strategic battle royale play are your priorities.

Which game offers the most variety beyond battle royale?

Call of Duty: Mobile combines battle royale with multiplayer and ranked modes.

Which game has the lowest maximum in-app purchase price?

Free Fire and Call of Duty: Mobile both top out at $99.99 per item, below PUBG MOBILE's $199.99 maximum.

Mobexer compares apps independently. We don't make, own or distribute any of these apps and have no affiliation with their developers, Google or Apple. Names, icons and trademarks belong to their owners; store details and prices are shown for reference and can change.