Playing Cards Against Humanity is a time-honored tradition amongst friends. The game‘s outrageous, politically incorrect, and downright offensive humor makes for an unforgettable night. However, not all friend groups can easily meet up in person these days.
Thankfully, the internet provides plenty of options to play Cards Against Humanity online. As a social media marketing expert who has spent years analyzing digital entertainment trends, I‘ve extensively researched the top sites where you can enjoy this beloved party game virtually.
In this post, I‘ll share my top 5 recommendations for playing Cards Against Humanity online with friends, along with detailed insights and analysis on each platform.
Evil Apples is one of the most popular online adaptations of Cards Against Humanity. With over 5 million downloads across iOS and Android devices, it‘s the top app choice for taking the iconic CAH experience mobile.
Here‘s an in-depth look at what Evil Apples offers:
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Multiplatform support: Native apps for both iOS and Android make it easy to play on your smartphone or tablet.
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Online multiplayer: Matches can include friends as well as random opponents for instant play options.
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Custom content: The card content comes from user submissions, with over 500,000 cards approved so far. This keeps the game fresh and unpredictable.
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Expansions: Special themed card packs are available for purchase with in-game coins, further enhancing variety.
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Chat features: Text and voice chat support allows for social play and trash talk with other players.
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Progression system: You earn XP and level up over time, unlocking profile badges and other rewards.
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Family mode: A toggleable filter allows you to play a G-rated version without offensive content.
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Free core game: The app is free to download, with optional purchases for card packs.
In my experience, Evil Apples comes closest to mimicking the true Cards Against Humanity experience in a digital format. The ability to quickly jump into matches against random opponents or friends makes it easy to play a few rounds whenever the urge strikes.
With frequent new content from its thriving user base and solid social features, Evil Apples provides the most polished mobile CAH option. It‘s my top recommendation for accessible but uncompromising Cards Against Humanity action on the go.
For a basic version of Cards Against Humanity that runs right in your web browser, PlayingCards.io is a great option.
Here‘s an overview of how to play CAH on PlayingCards.io:
- Go to playingcards.io
- Create a custom room or join an existing public room
- Share the room URL and game code with friends so they can join
- Customize game settings like hand size, winning score, and timer length
- Click "Start Game" then follow the familiar CAH gameplay flow
PlayingCards.io supports up to 10 players in each online CAH match. You‘ll be able to text chat with other players as you go through the rounds.
As a stripped-down take on CAH, PlayingCards.io has some limitations:
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The card content is far more limited compared to expansive options like Evil Apples. There are under 50 black cards and around 200 white cards available.
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No ability to add expansion packs or earn new cards. The content is static.
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No profiles or social features beyond basic chat.
However, PlayingCards.io wins points for simplicity. There‘s no app to download, and you don‘t need an account to play. The web-based format makes it easy to quickly jump into a game whenever the mood strikes.
If you want a streamlined online CAH experience with minimal fuss, PlayingCards.io is a solid pick. Just set up a room, share the URL, and you‘re ready for raunchy fun with friends. It‘s perfect for capturing the CAH spirit without complexities.
Pretend You‘re Xyzzy offers another solid browser-based option for jumping into Cards Against Humanity matches seamlessly.
Let‘s look at what gives Pretend You‘re Xyzzy an edge:
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No app required: The experience is 100% web-based, accessible from any device.
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Full card content: Includes all original CAH cards plus around 10,000 user-submitted white cards for variety.
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Big games: Supports up to 20 players in each online match, ideal for huge groups.
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Social options: Players can create avatars, chat during games, and view profiles showing recent matches.
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Completely free: No paid content or features. Everything is unlocked by default.
By combining a robust card selection with strong social options, Pretend You‘re Xyzzy provides a polished experience. The ability to play a seamless game in the browser that feels like the real thing makes it one of the best free CAH options available online.
All Bad Cards offers a stripped-down web app focused squarely on getting you into online Cards Against Humanity matches as quickly as possible.
Here‘s an overview of its seamless play options:
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Web only: No app required, just go to allbad.cards.
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Instant matching: Select "Play Online" then "Quick Match" to instantly enter a game with online players.
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Limited scope: Game rules and content are simplified, with around 100 black cards and 500 white cards.
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Chat included: Text chat allows basic communication during games.
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Stats: Track wins and achievements across play sessions.
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Private rooms: Set up password-protected games to play exclusively with friends.
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Family mode: Toggle family-friendly content filters.
All Bad Cards cuts out the fluff and focuses on fast play. While it lacks the depth and variety of other options, the quick matchmaking provides instant access to the core CAH experience online. It‘s perfect for squeezing in a quick round or two when you‘re in the mood for casual play.
CAH Lab takes an intriguing spin on online Cards Against Humanity by crowdsourcing development from players. Users can submit new white cards, vote on additions to the main card deck, and track stats on the popularity of different cards.
Beyond the crowdsourced angle, CAH Lab works similarly to other options:
- Browser-based with no app download needed
- Public and private game rooms
- Leaderboards and player statistics tracking
- Fun side features like horse races during rounds
By harnessing input from players, CAH Lab provides a dynamic take on the usual online CAH formula. The card content stays fresh as new user submissions get voted in and unpopular ones get removed. You feel invested in shaping the game‘s evolution.
CAH Lab isn‘t ideal for instantly jumping into matches against random opponents. But if you plan to play regularly online and want your experience to keep feeling new, its creative crowdsourcing approach is compelling.
Recreating the true Cards Against Humanity experience online comes with challenges. However, these 5 platforms capture the unfiltered humor and laughs that make CAH a staple.
Based on my in-depth analysis, here are my top picks depending on what you‘re looking for:
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For the most robust overall app, Evil Apples is hard to beat.
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For the simplest no-fuss browser game, go with PlayingCards.io.
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For a polished browser-based game with big group support, check out Pretend You‘re Xyzzy.
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For instant online matchmaking, try All Bad Cards.
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And for a crowdsourced take, give CAH Lab a look.
No matter your preferences, playing Cards Against Humanity online lets you bridge the gap when in-person gatherings aren‘t possible. With the right website or app, you and your friends can keep the hilarious CAH moments coming no matter where you‘re located.
What are your favorites for playing CAH online? Let me know in the comments below! I‘m always excited to discover new options.