The best online RPG for most players is Final Fantasy XIV, thanks to its generous free trial and strong story. If you want PvP, a sandbox economy or a solo-friendly world, other picks fit better. Below are 11 games matched to the kind of player you are, with costs, platforms and honest population signals.
Quick comparison of the best online RPGs
Population is hard to measure. Most developers don’t publish live player counts, so the last column only lists signals you can check.
| Game | Model | Platforms | Style | Population signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final Fantasy XIV | Subscription, free trial | PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | Story-driven theme park | Square Enix paused new sales in Dec 2021 due to server congestion |
| World of Warcraft | Subscription | PC, Mac | Theme park, raiding | Blizzard stopped publishing subscriber numbers after 2015 |
| Guild Wars 2 | Free core, paid expansions | PC | Casual group play | On Steam since Aug 2022, no official figures |
| Old School RuneScape | Free or membership | PC, Mac, Android, iOS | Skilling and grinding | Live player count shown on the official site |
| The Elder Scrolls Online | Buy to play, optional sub | PC, Mac, PS, Xbox | Open exploration | No live figures published |
| Lost Ark | Free to play | PC | Action, raiding | Steam all-time peak of about 1.32M (Feb 2022) |
| Albion Online | Free to play | PC, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS | Full-loot sandbox | No official live figures |
| EVE Online | Free Alpha, paid Omega | PC, Mac | Space sandbox | Single shared server, count tracked publicly |
| EverQuest | Free, optional membership | PC | Classic old-school | No official figures |
| Path of Exile 2 | Early access | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | Action RPG | Steam peak above 500,000 at early access launch (Dec 2024) |
| Baldur’s Gate 3 | Buy once | PC, Mac, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | 4-player online co-op | Steam peak above 875,000 (Aug 2023) |
For live Steam numbers, our breakdown of the most played MMOs on Steam right now tracks the current leaders.
Final Fantasy XIV: best for story lovers
Square Enix rebuilt FFXIV as A Realm Reborn in 2013, and it has grown into the most beloved theme park MMO of the past decade. The main story is long, voiced and genuinely emotional.
The free trial is the reason it tops this list. You can play A Realm Reborn, Heavensward and Stormblood up to level 70 with no time limit. That’s hundreds of hours before you pay anything.
One character can level every job, so you never need an alt. Once you hit endgame, cosmetics become their own game, and our guide to FF14 glamour explains how to unlock that system.
World of Warcraft: best for raiders
WoW launched in 2004 and still sets the bar for raid design. Mythic raiding and Mythic+ dungeons give competitive players a deep ladder, with community rankings on sites that log every kill.
Your subscription also covers Classic realms, including official Hardcore servers where death is permanent. Players nostalgic for Wrath of the Lich King can still revisit raids like Icecrown Citadel.
Veteran's tip
Join a guild before you hit max level. Gearing alone through group finder is far slower and far less fun.
Guild Wars 2: best for casual players
ArenaNet made the core game free in August 2015. You get the full base campaign, with a few account restrictions until you buy an expansion.
There is no gear treadmill, so a break of months won’t leave you behind. Dynamic events pull strangers together without forming a party. Mounts from Path of Fire make exploration a joy.
Old School RuneScape: best for grinders
Jagex relaunched the 2007 version of RuneScape in 2013, and players vote on every major update. Skills cap at 99, and reaching that cap takes serious dedication.
The free tier is real but small. Membership opens most of the map, quests and skills. The mobile app shares your account with PC, so you can train skills on a commute.
The Elder Scrolls Online: best for solo explorers
ZeniMax Online launched ESO in 2014. The One Tamriel update in 2016 scaled every zone to your level, so you can go anywhere from day one.
Fans of Skyrim will feel at home. Nearly every quest can be soloed, and dungeons support group finder when you want company. ESO Plus is optional but adds the craft bag, which most players treat as essential.
Lost Ark: best for action combat fans
Smilegate RPG developed Lost Ark, and Amazon Games served as Western publisher at its February 2022 launch. It plays like an isometric action RPG with MMO systems on top.
Endgame is built around raids with mechanics that punish mistakes. Progression is tied to item level, and honing gear can feel slow without spending. It’s free to register and play, but you should budget your patience.
Albion Online: best for PvP and sandbox economies
Sandbox Interactive’s Albion went free to play in April 2019. Almost every item is player-crafted, and black zones use full loot. Die there, and your gear belongs to someone else.
It runs on phones and PCs with one shared world. Low system requirements make it one of the easiest online RPGs for older PCs.
EVE Online: best for strategists
CCP Games launched EVE in 2003, and every player shares one server. Wars between alliances have destroyed fleets worth thousands of real dollars in subscription value.
Alpha clones play free with limited skills. Omega status unlocks everything. Expect a brutal learning curve, and join a new-player corporation early.
EverQuest: best for old-school veterans
EverQuest launched on March 16, 1999, and still receives regular expansions. It’s free to play, with an optional All Access membership.
Progression servers relaunch the game from its original content, which suits returning players. If you want the wider history, including the cancelled EverQuest Next, our series history covers it.
Path of Exile 2: best for build theorycrafters
Grinding Gear Games opened early access on December 6, 2024, through paid supporter packs. The studio has said the full release will be free to play.
Combat is slower and more deliberate than the original. The passive skill tree remains huge. You can play online with up to six players in a party.
Baldur’s Gate 3: best for friends who want a campaign
Larian’s 2023 hit is not an MMO, but its online co-op supports four players through the entire story. It won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2023.
This is the closest a video game gets to a tabletop session. Each player makes choices for their own character, and the world reacts to all of them.
What each online RPG costs to start
Prices below are US list prices for the core subscription or entry point.
| Game | Entry cost | Ongoing cost |
|---|---|---|
| Final Fantasy XIV | Free trial to level 70 | Entry $12.99/mo, Standard $14.99/mo |
| World of Warcraft | Subscription required | $14.99/mo |
| Guild Wars 2 | Free core game | Optional expansions |
| The Elder Scrolls Online | Buy base game | Optional ESO Plus $14.99/mo |
| Lost Ark | Free | Optional cash shop |
| Albion Online | Free | Optional Premium |
| Path of Exile 2 | Supporter pack from $29.99 (early access) | Optional cash shop |
Heads up
Subscription prices vary by region and change over time. Check the official store before you pay.
Launch history and developers
Older games tend to have more content, while newer ones have more players at your level.
| Game | Developer | Launch |
|---|---|---|
| EverQuest | Daybreak / Darkpaw Games | 1999 |
| EVE Online | CCP Games | 2003 |
| World of Warcraft | Blizzard Entertainment | 2004 |
| Guild Wars 2 | ArenaNet | 2012 |
| Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn | Square Enix | 2013 |
| Old School RuneScape | Jagex | 2013 |
| The Elder Scrolls Online | ZeniMax Online Studios | 2014 |
| Albion Online | Sandbox Interactive | 2017 |
| Lost Ark (West) | Smilegate RPG | 2022 |
Tabletop RPGs you can play online
Many people searching for role-playing games online want Dungeons & Dragons with real people. Virtual tabletops handle the maps, dice and character sheets.
- Roll20 runs in a browser and has a free tier, with paid plans for extra features.
- Foundry VTT costs a one-time $50 license for the game master, and players join free.
- Paid game master services let you book a professional GM for a seat in a campaign.
Quick steps: pick your first online RPG
- Decide between solo, group or PvP play.
- Start with a free trial or free tier.
- Play until mid-level before judging endgame.
- Join a guild or community Discord.
FAQ
What is the best free online RPG for PC?
Guild Wars 2 is the best free option. The core game is free, has no gear treadmill and supports casual group play.
Which online RPG has the most players?
No one can answer that precisely, because Blizzard and Square Enix don’t publish live counts. On Steam, Lost Ark and Baldur’s Gate 3 hold the highest all-time peaks on this list.
Can I play online RPGs on console?
Yes. Final Fantasy XIV, The Elder Scrolls Online, Path of Exile 2 and Baldur’s Gate 3 all run on PlayStation and Xbox.
Is World of Warcraft still worth starting?
Yes, if you want raiding. Its raid and Mythic+ design remain the best in the genre, and Classic realms are included in the subscription.
