8 alternativesBalatro: $9.99

The best Balatro alternatives

For most people the best alternative to Balatro is Stardew Valley, and the best free one is Balatro+.

Best alternativeStardew Valley app iconStardew ValleyPick it if you want a relaxing game you can play for 50+ hours in 5-minute bursts.$4.99

Compare at a glance

Balatro is highlighted, so you can see what you give up and what you gain.

AppPriceHow you payMaciPhoneiPadApp StoreArcadeRating
Balatro app iconBalatro$9.99Pay once5
Stardew Valley app iconStardew Valley$4.99Pay once4.8
Balatro+ app iconBalatro+Apple ArcadeApple Arcade4.9
Slay the Spire app iconSlay the Spire$9.99Pay once4.3
Minecraft app iconMinecraft$6.99Pay once4.5
Stardew Valley+ app iconStardew Valley+Apple ArcadeApple Arcade4.2
Bloons TD 6 app iconBloons TD 6$6.99 oncePay once4.9
Sneaky Sasquatch app iconSneaky SasquatchApple ArcadeApple Arcade4.9
Dead Cells app iconDead Cells$8.99Pay once4.8

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The alternatives, in order

  1. 1Stardew Valley app icon

    Stardew Valley

    $4.99Best alternative4.8

    Pick it if you want a relaxing game you can play for 50+ hours in 5-minute bursts.

    The cozy farming RPG in full on your phone, with auto-save that makes 5-minute sessions work, for $4.99 once.

  2. 2Balatro+ app icon

    Balatro+

    Apple ArcadeBest free4.9

    Pick it if you already pay for Apple Arcade, since it is the same poker roguelike at no extra cost.

    The Apple Arcade edition of the poker roguelike where Jokers bend the scoring rules, free with your subscription.

  3. Pick it if you enjoy strategy card games and want 1 you can replay for hundreds of hours.

    A deckbuilding climb where every run changes, for $9.99 once with no ads and nothing to buy.

  4. 4Minecraft app icon

    Minecraft

    $6.994.5

    Pick this if you want 1 game the whole family plays together across different devices.

    The endless block-building game for $6.99 once, with cross-platform play so kids can join friends on any device.

  5. 5Stardew Valley+ app icon

    Stardew Valley+

    Apple Arcade4.2

    Pick this if you have Apple Arcade and would rather not pay $4.99 for the regular version.

    The cozy farming RPG with the 1.6 update and no in-app purchases, at no extra cost for Apple Arcade subscribers.

  6. 6Bloons TD 6 app icon

    Bloons TD 6

    $6.99 once4.9

    Pick this if you like tower defense with real depth and want co-op with up to 4 players.

    Deep tower defense with constant updates, offline play and 4-player co-op, for $6.99 once.

  7. 7Sneaky Sasquatch app icon

    Sneaky Sasquatch

    Apple Arcade4.9

    Pick this if you have Apple Arcade and want a funny life sim that kids and adults both enjoy.

    A silly, ad-free Apple Arcade life sim where a Sasquatch raids campsites, gets a driver's license and takes jobs in town.

  8. 8Dead Cells app icon

    Dead Cells

    $8.994.8

    Pick this if you want hard, fast console-style action on your phone, with controller support.

    A full console action roguelike on your iPhone, with a castle that changes every run and controller support, for one price.

Balatro app icon

When Balatro is still the right pick

You like poker or solitaire and want a pocket card game where every run plays differently.

Balatro prices and verdict$9.99