Best Games Similar to Dota 2
Modern MOBAs have evolved into a vibrant ecosystem, building on Valve’s classic lane-pushing formula while refining match length, camera perspective, and platform accessibility. For example, since Dota 2 isn’t available on mobile devices, many developers jumped at the opportunity and moved quickly to fill that gap, providing players with a convenient alternative.
This guide explores the most reliable games like Dota 2 available in 2025, evaluating player-base health, live-service frequency, cross-region server support, and modest hardware requirements. Whether you're craving a full 35-minute macro slugfest at your desk or a 10-minute duel on the go, these picks sharpen last-hit reflexes, offer true cross-play, and remain free-to-start, so you won’t face empty lobbies or abandoned updates.
Games Like Dota 2 for PC
Let’s open up our article with some of the closest desktop counterparts to our beloved (and often infuriating) Dota 2.
League of Legends
Riot’s juggernaut remains the go-to choice when people seek games like Dota on a desktop. Average ranked matches hover just over 30 minutes, which is long enough for macro strategy, yet faster than many Dota stalemates. A colossal monthly player pool of 117–135 million keeps queues instant across all regions, while weekly patches and seasonal updates maintain a 165+ heroes (champions) roster, and the game is constantly updated with weekly patches and seasonal content.
Pros: Built-in Clash tournaments for five-stacks, polished esports circuit, and a smooth learning progression via the summoner-level system.
Cons: New players must grind normal matches before unlocking ranked, and cosmetic trading is unavailable. Only accessible via Riot’s own client.
Smite
If you’re looking for games on Steam, Hi-Rez’s inventive take flips the genre on its head by turning the traditional isometric MOBA into an over-the-shoulder third-person brawler. Players must manually aim all abilities, creating a more visceral, skill-based experience. Smite supports full cross-play and cross-progression across PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch pools seamlessly. That inclusivity pairs with a one-time “Ultimate God Pack” that unlocks all current and future gods.
Pros: Controller-friendly gameplay, mythological themes, and real-time combat offer a refreshing change from traditional MOBAs.
Cons: Queue times can lag in certain regions and modes, especially in Europe. Sony’s ecosystem still limits inventory syncing for longtime PlayStation users.
Heroes of the Storm
Blizzard’s team-centric “hero brawler” simplifies Dota’s steep economy with shared team XP, allowing newcomers to contribute without perfect last-hitting mastery. Matches average around 20 minutes — perfect for quick play sessions. Despite entering maintenance mode in 2022, Blizzard surprised fans with a balance patch on May 15, 2025, adjusting support heroes like Ana and Brightwing.
Pros: Unique battleground objectives add macro variety, beloved characters from across Blizzard’s franchises, and generous daily quests.
Cons: Esports support has dwindled, and high-rank matchmaking can falter during off-peak hours.
Games Like Dota 2 for Mobile
Touch-optimized MOBAs bring classic lane strategy to your fingertips, making them perfect games like Dota 2 for Android and iOS. These mobile titles offer cross-region servers, optional 60 FPS modes, and 10–20-minute matches.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Moonton’s SEA giant dominates with over 38.5 million monthly active users (as of May 2025), underpinning its promise of “10-second matchmaking, 10-minute battles.” Professional Mobile Legends tournaments stream everywhere, and new hero patches drop every few weeks.
Pros: Lightweight install, robust hill-climb ranked progression, and pocket-friendly data usage (≈ 5 MB per ranked game).
Cons: Balance updates can be inconsistent, and skin gacha can tempt deep spenders.
Arena of Valor
TiMi’s Western adaptation of China’s Honor of Kings sticks to classic three-lane gameplay while featuring DC legends like Batman and Superman, set to return in 2025 with new licensing. Many Snapdragon-powered phones can sustain smooth 60 FPS gameplay, making for a console-like experience without root tweaks.
Pros: Impressive visuals, intuitive jungle mechanics, and generous free-hero rotations.
Cons: Nintendo Switch players cannot queue with mobile users, and regional cosmetic releases vary by region.
Pokémon UNITE
Nintendo’s monster spin-off offers seamless cross-platform progression: just use one Pokémon Trainer Club account to sync your skins and ranks on both Switch and mobile. Each match lasts around 10 minutes and usually ends with an all-out fight over Zapdos, similar to the intense base races in Dota. The game has built-in voice chat, but you can turn it off, which helps reduce toxic behavior when playing alone.
Pros: Iconic IP, quick and satisfying win conditions, and engaging seasonal Battle Passes.
Cons: Simplified item system lacks depth for hardcore theorycrafters, and new Pokémon sometimes come overpowered before hotfixes.
These titles didn’t make the core list but are still worth checking out:
- Vainglory: Once a mobile pioneer, it now lives on via community-run servers under the “Community Edition” banner, meaning maintenance relies on volunteers.
- Honor of Kings: The full Chinese juggernaut is preparing its global rollout in late 2025, boasting more than 100 million daily users at home and massive esports prize pools.
- Wild Rift: Riot’s mobile take on League of Legends offers 15–20-minute games and syncs with PC events, though its smaller champion pool keeps it just shy of our top picks.
From Summoner’s Rift marathons to quick Bang Bang brawls, today’s MOBA landscape offers plentiful games similar to Dota 2 that fixes pain points like 40-minute grind matches or platform exclusivity. PC loyalists can dive into League’s esports empire, Smite’s action-oriented twist, or HotS’s quickfire teamfights. Those who prefer games like Dota 2 for iOS and Android can juggle lightning skirmishes in MLBB, polished mechanics in AoV, or a friendly strategy spin with Pokémon UNITE.
Each game listed here is free-to-play, supports vibrant multiplayer communities, and receives ongoing live-service support, so your next highlight-reel moment is just a download away. Pick your lane, refine your new strategy loops, and keep that competitive fire burning because the best alternatives to Dota 2 are alive and thriving online, ready for your GG call.
