Are you searching for games like Tic Tac Toe? If yes, you are in the right spot! You might have played this game in your childhood days with your school friends using pencil and paper. Being one of the quick and simple board games, Tic Tac Toe is usually played by people standing in queues for shopping or bank visits. It is the most interesting board game, which offers quick contests and challenges to players who can easily make a fortune with one or two rounds of gameplay.
Whether you are an Android or iPhone user, you can play tic-tac-toe games online on whichever platform you want, offering a quick mood booster. It is a two-player game that requires no hard skills or knowledge to play and win the game. If you like simple and quick board games, you must try playing the best games like Tic Tac Toe and that too online from the comfort of your couch.
In this blog, we will highlight such games that you can play with your friends or family at any point in time and anywhere.
Best Tic Tac Toe Games Alternative In 2025
Let’s take a short and sweet comparison of games similar to Tic Tac Toe before diving into the details of each game.
Game Name
Objective
Number of Players
Complexity Level
Platform Availability
Bovo
Create a row of three symbols, like Tic Tac Toe, but with a more complex grid.
2
Moderate
Mobile, Web
Tic Tac Toe Glow
Similar to the traditional Tic Tac Toe, but with glowing visual effects.
2
Easy
Mobile, Web
Pik Pak Poe
Complete lines or shapes by placing tiles on a grid.
2
Moderate
Mobile, Web
Tic Tac Toe Movable
A dynamic version of Tic Tac Toe where pieces can be moved after placing.
2
Moderate
Mobile, Web
4 in a Row
Align four pieces in a row, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
2
Moderate
Mobile, Web, Physical
Tic & Toe
A variant of Tic Tac Toe with larger grids and different win conditions.
2
Moderate
Mobile, Web
Piskvork
Align five symbols in a row (similar to Gomoku).
2
Moderate
Mobile, Web, Physical
Gomoku
Align five symbols in a row, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
2
Moderate
Mobile, Web, Physical
Battleship
Sink the opponent’s ships by guessing their positions on a grid.
2
Moderate
Mobile, Web, Physical
Word Chains
Form a chain of words where each word starts with the last letter of the previous word.
2+
Easy to Moderate
Mobile, Web
Dots and Boxes
Complete boxes by drawing lines between adjacent dots, aiming to score more than your opponent.
2
Moderate to Hard
Mobile, Web, Paper
Noughts and Crosses (OXO)
Align three marks in a row to win.
2
Easy
Mobile, Web, Physical
Morpion Solitaire
Fill a 3×3 grid with marks following specific rules.
1
Moderate
Mobile, Web, Paper
Tic Tac Chec
Create a line of four or more marks in a row on a larger grid.
2
Moderate to Hard
Mobile, Web
Sprouts
Draw lines between dots with the goal of leaving your opponent without any valid moves.
2
Hard
Mobile, Web, Paper
Let’s now know the 15 best Tic Tac Toe like games in detail to know what’s packed inside the gameplay.
Bovo
Bovo is a Gomoku-like game for two players, wherein they play against each other while placing pictographs on the board game. The game begins with the player drawing either X or O on the screen. Also known as Connect Five, wherein the main objective of the player is to draw 5 Xs or Os in a row; naughts and crosses. It is a popular alternative to Tic Tac Toe as it the game concept is equally the same and easy, offering players greater flexibility and engagement opportunity.
Tic Tac Toe Glow
You don’t need pen and paper to get yourself engaged in a Tic Tac Toe gameplay online. This is one of the best games like Tic Tac Toe which is available for free of cost on your Android phone. It comes with cool designs and user-friendly features like a modern and navigable interface, different gameplay modes, and entertaining gameplay. All you need is a smartphone with seamless internet connectivity to download this on your Android.
Pik Pak Poe
As the name suggests, Pic Pac Poe is yet another engaging and addictive board game like Tic Tac Toe that you must try at least once if you are more inclined towards simple gameplay. It is a free board game that you can play on your Android smartphone. It comes with a lot of user-friendly features like multi-lingual support, a navigable interface, and a creative theme, including vivid colors and an eye-pleasing background.
Tic Tac Toe Movable
Are you searching for enjoyable Tic Tac Toe game alternatives? If yes, Tic Tac Toe Moveable is what you must try today to get an engaging and unique gameplay experience. The game is available on Android for free which you can play with your friends online anywhere and at any point in time. From basic to complex levels, the app features different gameplay including bot, easy, and hard so that you can choose as per your specialization or preference. There are different modes to choose from; 1-player mode, two-player mode, and multiplayer.
4 in a Row
As the name suggests, you need to strategically place chips in a row to become a winner. Herein, you need to select a color of your choice instead of X or O. Being a two-player board game, players place alike chips on the screen to make 4 in a row either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. The game is not as simple as it seems as you need to put in some strategic moves to bluff your opponent to become a winner in the end. Make sure to be focused and calm when placing your chips on the screen. You can play this game on Android for free of cost.
Tic & Toe
Are you searching for a multiplayer version of the ultimate paper games like Tic Tac Toe? If yes, you must look no further than Tic & Toe. This game is available online for free, you can download it easily and invite your friends to immerse into the most competitive gameplay rounds and contests altogether. It comes with a navigable interface and different gameplay modes, including multiplayer, online, 2-player, and AI, which contribute to enhanced engagement and interaction.
Piskvork
The game is often called Gomoku or Five in a Row. You need to make five symbols in a line and do that as soon as possible than your opponent. The best part about this app is that you can set the time limit to do so, and even change the skin of your selected discs to make it more interesting and immersive. The game requires a fair amount of focus and alertness to stay ahead of the curve and your competitors.
Gomoku
Gomoku is one of the most interesting alternatives to the Tic Tac Toe game. The rule of this game is very simple you need to align five pieces of chips on the screen either diagonally, vertically, or horizontally to avoid the breakage of the line. Like any other strategy-based game, it offers users with good offence-defence balance to become a pro player in one go. It is just like Bovo which offers players quick and simple gameplay to immerse. So if you want to take a break from a hectic schedule of work, Gomoku is your escape.
Battleship
Battleship is a classic strategy game where players try to sink each other’s fleet of ships by guessing their locations on a grid. Each player takes turns calling out coordinates to attack the opponent’s ships, and the first to sink all of their opponent’s ships wins. It’s a game of tactics and deduction, requiring players to outsmart their opponent. Battleship is ideal for players who enjoy a mix of strategy and chance, making it a timeless and thrilling game for all ages.
Word chains
Word chains is a fun and challenging word game where players take turns forming words that start with the last letter of the previous word. The goal is to create a continuous chain of words, with each word linking to the next. This game tests your vocabulary, creativity, and quick thinking, as you try to come up with words that fit the pattern. It’s a great way to improve language skills while having fun with friends or family, making it ideal for all ages.
Dots and Boxes
Another Tic Tac Toe-inspired puzzle game that is played on a grid of dots. The aim is to complete more boxes than your opponent. Here players draw a single line between two adjacent dots in horizontal or vertical direction. When a player completes a box (a square surrounded by four lines), they mark it with their symbol and earn a point. The game runs until all boxes are completed. Here the key strategy is to plan moves ahead to force the opponent into giving you boxes, creating opportunities for chain reactions.
Noughts and Crosses (OXO)
Noughts and Crosses is one of the best two-player games online played on a 3×3 grid. Just like Tic Tac Toe, one player uses “X” and the other uses “O.” Players take turns marking one empty square with their symbol in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. It is those games like X and O where the game ends when all squares are filled which results in a draw or if a player wins. The game is very easy but requires a sort of strategic thinking to block the opponent while trying to complete a row of three symbols.
Morpion Solitaire
Morpion Solitaire, also known as the game of “Noughts and Crosses Solitaire,” is a single-player variation of Tic-Tac-Toe. The player starts with a 3×3 grid of empty squares and places “X” marks according to specific rules. The goal is to place marks so that each mark is adjacent to another, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. In each step, the player must ensure that the placement of marks eliminates or minimizes remaining unmarked spaces, leading to a solved board. It’s a game of logic and planning, requiring the player to foresee the consequences of each move to achieve a completely filled grid.
Tic Tac Chec
An advanced variation of the classic Tic-Tac-Toe game, Tic Tac Chec is played on a larger grid (usually 4×4 or 5×5). The rules are similar and players take turns placing their X or O marks on the grid. The aim is to create a line of four or more marks, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, depending on the grid size. Tic Tac Chec adds a strategic layer of complexity due to the larger playing field requiring players to observe the opponent’s moves. It’s a fun and challenging twist on the classic.
Sprouts
Sprouts is one of the games similar to Tic Tac Toe that begins with a set number of dots drawn on a piece of paper. The game was invented by mathematicians in 1967. Players take turns by connecting two dots with a line that creates a new dot at the midpoint of the line. The rule is that each dot can have a maximum of three lines connected to it. The game comes to an end when no more legal moves are possible. The goal is to force your opponent into a position where they cannot make a valid move.
Final Words
If you love playing the Tic Tac Toe board game but looking to try something different but with the same essence, then these games like Tic Tac Toe come in handy as perfect alternatives. From Bovo to Sprouts, each game has the joy and spark of tic-tac-toe with different twists. Pick these games and have fun with your friends.
In case you want to establish an online gaming venture by building a similar game, share your thoughts with a leading board game development company to transform your idea into a reality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What Are Games Like Tic Tac Toe Called?
Ans. There is a wide range of Tic Tac Toe variations which are also known as the pen and paper games that you can play on both modes; online or offline. If you love playing simple yet strategic board games, you will love to explore tic-tac-toe games.
Q2. What Are The Best Pen And Paper Games To Play Online?
Ans. Tic & Toe, Gomoku, Battleship, and Pik Pak Poe, are some of the best pen and paper games to play with your friends or family.
Q3. How Much Does It Cost To Develop Games Like Tic Tac Toe?
Ans. Tic Tac Toe Game Development costs around $8k to $12k with basic features and functionalities. However, the cost may shoot up to $20k and even more depending on the advancement of features and functionalities.
Q4. What are the benefits of playing pen-and-paper games?
Ans. It helps develop critical thinking, problem-solving, visual perception, and social interaction.
Q5. Are there any pen and paper games that require more than two players?
Ans. You can play games like tic-tac-toe with more than two players on a specialized (larger) grid such as a 4×4 or 5×5 board to accommodate extra players.
Q6. Can playing pen-and-paper games help improve focus and concentration?
Ans. Yes, it helps improve attention to detail and concentration so you can focus more on anything.
I am Nitin Garg, founder of BR Softech PVT LTD - an award-winning mobile game development company known for its excellence in the gaming domain. We have a team of 180+ exceptional professionals & we have a satisfied clientele of 2.7k+ globally. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, I aim to elevate BR Softech to a billion-dollar company.