Before we dive in, I‘m guessing you already know about the popular party game Cards Against Humanity. But just in case, here’s a quick refresher…
Cards Against Humanity is an adult card game that’s taken the world by storm since it debuted back in 2011. To play, there are black question cards and white answer cards. One player asks a question from a black card, and everyone else answers by playing the funniest, most inappropriate – and often hilariously absurd – white card they can to fill in the blank.
The game quickly became a hit for its shocking and politically incorrect humor. Traditionally it’s played in person with physical cards. But these days, many fans are taking the game online to play virtually with friends or strangers.
Want to join in on the fun? In this guide, I’ll share the top 5 sites for playing Cards Against Humanity online. I’ll explain how each platform works, highlight key features, and provide tips to help you get started.
Let‘s check them out!
Why Play Cards Against Humanity Online?
Before we look at the sites, you may be wondering…why play online instead of in person?
Here are some excellent reasons to take the game virtual:
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Play with friends anywhere – Have fun with your regular group even when you can‘t meet up thanks to distance, schedules, health issues, or quarantines.
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Meet new people – Join games with random players from around the world to make new friends.
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It‘s convenient – Play a quick game anytime without having to haul out the cards.
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Save money – Most online versions are free or low cost compared to buying the physical game.
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Easy to learn – Tutorials and automatic scoring make online games simple to pick up.
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More inclusive – People who find certain cards offensive can choose or create decks to their taste.
So if you‘re looking for the mechanics and humor you love from the original game in an easy online package, read on for the top sites to check out!
1. All Bad Cards
AllBadCards.com is one of the most fully featured Cards Against Humanity clones available online. Here are some key details about the game:
- Launched in March 2020 by developer Jake
- Browser-based with no app download needed
- Over 15 million games played to date
- Options for video chat while playing
- Supports 2-20+ players in each game
- Classic mode mimics real Cards Against Humanity gameplay
- Family friendly and All Bad Questions modes for variation
- Free with option to remove ads permanently for $1.99
To start playing, just choose "Create Game" and send the shareable link to your friends. The game will take everyone through selecting a judge, playing cards each round, and announcing winners. It‘s incredibly simple to get going.
One player named Sara said: "I was pleasantly surprised by how easy All Bad Cards made it to video chat and play online. It brought all the laughter and fun of game night with my long-distance friends right to my living room!"
With All Bad Cards, you get the full Cards Against Humanity experience optimized for playing online without any hassles. It‘s no wonder it‘s become so popular.
2. PlayingCards.io
PlayingCards.io offers a flexible way to enjoy Cards Against Humanity virtually on any device.
Rather than a standalone game, it provides a custom card gaming "engine" that lets you set up a table and play any deck of cards you want with friends and family online.
Some key features:
- Create private rooms and invite others to play by sharing a room name/password
- Voice, video, and text chat support
- Virtual tabletop view and avatars create an in-person vibe
- Completely free with no ads or purchases
To play Cards Against Humanity, just create a private room and load the CAH deck into the table. Deal out the cards and you‘re ready for outrageous fun.
Scott, a PlayingCards.io user, said: "I‘ve played tons of card games on the site with my brother who lives across the country. Being able to hop on for a game of CAH with video chat makes it feel like we‘re together at my kitchen table!"
For large groups or those who want a more flexible card playing experience, PlayingCards.io is a stellar pick.
3. Evil Apples
Evil Apples is the top mobile app choice for playing Cards Against Humanity online. It‘s available on both iOS and Android.
Some key facts:
- Launched in 2013 originally as a CAH clone
- 2.3+ million downloads between iOS and Android
- Public and private game rooms
- Custom avatars, user levels and leaderboards
- Free download with ads or $2.99 ad-free version
- Expansion packs and new card decks available as in-app purchases
The gameplay mechanics mimic the real-life Cards Against Humanity card selection and scoring process while optimizing it for mobile screens. Once you download the app, you can quickly start or join a game.
Brad, an Evil Apples user, said: "I love that I can play a quick game with random people online or set up a private room to play with friends. It really brings that Cards Against Humanity vibe to my phone!"
For fans of mobile gaming, Evil Apples hits the mark for enjoying Cards Against Humanity virtually. The avatars, leaderboards, and unlockable decks also make it more engaging long-term.
4. Pretend You‘re Xyzzy
PretendYoureXyzzy.com offers a functional Cards Against Humanity clone that runs right in your web browser without anything to download or install.
Here are some key details on this minimalist option:
- Launched in 2013 as one of the first CAH web clones
- Completely free to use with no ads
- No registration required, just choose a username
- Public and private game rooms available
- Video/voice chat is not supported
The game contains many of the original cards but not the full CAH deck. The creators acknowledge it‘s an unofficial clone intended for entertainment purposes only.
But user Howard says: "I was impressed by how quick and easy it was to just go to the site, set up a private room, and start playing our favorite custom card combos. We didn‘t miss the bells and whistles!"
For groups looking for a straightforward free way to play online, Pretend You‘re Xyzzy hits the spot. Lack of chat options limits the experience, but it has the core game mechanics down.
5. Card Game Simulator
Last up is Card Game Simulator for iOS and Android devices. As the name implies, it offers a customizable framework for playing any card game online. And that includes a built-in Cards Against Humanity simulator.
Notable features:
- HD graphics and smooth animations
- Backgrounds, avatars, card backs, and table themes
- Public and private game rooms
- Voice, text, and video chat ability
- Supports 2-6 players
- Free download with in-app purchases available
The Card Game Simulator recreates the look and feel of sitting around a table playing cards. The digital Cards Against Humanity experience isn‘t perfect. But it provides mobile access with responsive controls.
User Matt says: "Being able to play a few hands of Cards Against Humanity with friends on my phone is awesome. The table view and animations make it much more engaging than plain text or video chat alone."
For those who want that authentic tabletop feel on mobile, Card Game Simulator is a fun option worth checking out.
Key Tips for Playing Online
Ready to get started playing Cards Against Humanity online? Here are some tips to maximize your enjoyment:
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Use a headset to reduce echo and background noise if using voice chat
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Make sure all players are visible on camera if video chatting to see reactions
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Screen sharing through apps like Zoom can help show card choices
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Ask players to stay off phones to remain engaged in the game
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Set expectations for appropriate behavior if playing with strangers
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Take breaks between games to chat and socialize just like during in-person game nights
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Don’t be afraid to try different game modes or house rules to change things up
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Bookmark the site URL in your browser for easy access to return in the future
Expanding Your Play Options
I hope this guide provided some great starting points to recreate that Cards Against Humanity magic online. Don‘t forget to explore the creators‘ official website at CardsAgainstHumanity.com too.
You‘ll find:
- New expansion packs to keep your game fresh
- Standalone games in the Cards Against Humanity family like Throw Throw Burrito
- Funny products like the Cards Against Humanity Mystery Box
- A chance to meet the game‘s creators
Browsing their site is a great way to take your CAH passion to the next level.
The online playing field is also expanding rapidly, so be sure to search for new CAH-style games frequently. And let me know if you discover one I should check out!
If you try any of these sites, I‘d love to hear which you enjoyed most in the comments below. I‘m always down for making new friends to play Cards Against Humanity online.
So shall we deal the cards? I can‘t wait to get our virtual game night started soon!