Brawl Stars review
Three-minute team brawls with dozens of quirky heroes
- Supercell
- Free + paid plans
- iPhone & iPad, Android
4.7 from 3.1M App Store ratings 500M+ Google Play downloads
Does it deserve #7?
Is Brawl Stars worth it?
For most people, yes. Brawl Stars scores 8.1/10 and ranks #7 in Action & Shooter Games. It's best for friends who want fast, team-based shooting matches in short bursts. Skip it if you dislike grinding or paying to unlock characters faster. Price: Free to play; Gems from $1.99, plus paid Brawl Pass upgrades.
The verdict
Brawl Stars packs a full arena shooter into matches that last under three minutes. Pick a Brawler, team up, and play Gem Grab, Brawl Ball, Heist or the Showdown battle royale with simple twin-stick controls that suit a phone perfectly. Supercell ships a big update every month or two, packed with new Brawlers. Unlocking and upgrading them is slow unless you pay, and some purchases include random items.
- 3v3 and 5v5 arena modes
- Showdown battle royale
- Dozens of unique Brawlers
- Matches under three minutes
- Brawl Pass seasons
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Sep 2026Update 69 adds Brawlers Cosmo and Vince, a 20-player Mega Boss Duo mode and a Duolingo collab
- Jul 2026Ramen Rebellion update brings a cyberpunk season and the Legendary Brawler Nori
- Apr 2026A big Shop rework plus three new Brawlers: Damian, Starr Nova and Bolt
Privacy 6.0/10
App Store label: usage data may be used to track you. Purchases, coarse location, contact info, user content, identifiers, usage and diagnostics may be linked to you.
What we like
- Quick matches that fit a short break
- Easy controls with real depth
- Polished, colorful art and steady updates
What could be better
- Progression is slow without spending
- Some purchases include random items
- Privacy label lists tracking
Friends who want fast, team-based shooting matches in short bursts
you dislike grinding or paying to unlock characters faster
Questions about Brawl Stars
Is Brawl Stars worth it in 2026?
For most people, yes. Brawl Stars scores 8.1/10 and ranks #7 in Action & Shooter Games. It's best for friends who want fast, team-based shooting matches in short bursts. Skip it if you dislike grinding or paying to unlock characters faster. Price: Free to play; Gems from $1.99, plus paid Brawl Pass upgrades.
Is Brawl Stars free?
Yes. It's free to play, with Gems and paid Brawl Pass tiers for faster progress and cosmetics.
Is Brawl Stars pay-to-win?
Spending speeds up unlocking and upgrading Brawlers, so free players progress more slowly, but matches still reward skill and teamwork.
Is Brawl Stars kid-friendly?
Google Play rates it Everyone 10+ and the App Store lists it as 13+. It has cartoon combat and in-game purchases that include random items.
What are the best alternatives to Brawl Stars?
The closest alternatives are Fortnite, Call of Duty: Mobile and Vampire Survivors. See all of them ranked on our Brawl Stars alternatives page.
Where does Brawl Stars rank?
Brawl Stars ranks #7 of 8 in our Action & Shooter Games ranking, with an overall score of 8.1 out of 10.