Honor of Kings is the biggest mobile MOBA on the planet by daily active users, but it is not the easiest one to actually play. Tencent’s Level Infinite has been rolling out the International Edition market by market, leaving large parts of Europe and the Americas without an official launch. Even where it is live, server location and account region rules make matchmaking with friends in other countries fiddly, and the install size is a real ask on a mid-range phone.
If you want a 5v5 mobile MOBA but you are stuck waiting on a regional release, getting region-lock errors, or just want a different hero pool, here are 7 Honor of Kings alternatives worth looking at. We grouped them by what their player base actually plays for, rather than by raw download counts.
Why people leave Honor of Kings
- Regional availability is patchy. The International Edition has launched in dozens of countries, but the published regions still skip large parts of Europe and parts of the Americas. Players outside supported regions either bounce off the store or end up on workarounds that void account warranties.
- Server pings vary by region. Within Asia the experience is excellent, but North American and European players often see higher latency than they would on a locally hosted MOBA.
- The hero roster is gated by events. A handful of strong heroes sit behind event currencies, time-limited tasks, or play-time gates rather than the standard hero shop, which can frustrate casual players coming in for a few matches a week.
- Install size and battery use. Honor of Kings is a graphically heavy title and warms phones quickly during long sessions. On older or budget hardware, frame drops and thermal throttling get in the way of the competitive experience.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free to play | Match length | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Legends: Bang Bang | Direct MOBA replacement | Yes | About 10 min | Largest mobile-MOBA player base outside HoK |
| League of Legends: Wild Rift | LoL fans on mobile | Yes | 15 to 18 min | Riot’s hero design and balance team |
| Pokémon UNITE | Casual cross-platform play | Yes | 10 min | Plays on Switch and phone with the same account |
| Brawl Stars | Bite-sized matches | Yes | About 3 min | Short matches, top-down brawler twist |
| Onmyoji Arena | Yokai and Eastern myth aesthetic | Yes | 10 to 15 min | Stylised art and slower mid-game pace |
| Marvel Super War | Marvel hero IP fans | Yes | 10 to 15 min | Plays as Marvel characters in MOBA roles |
| Heroes Evolved | Lower-spec hardware | Yes | 15 to 20 min | Runs on older phones at smaller install size |
Which Honor of Kings alternative should you pick?
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Mobile Legends: Bang Bang if you want the closest Honor of Kings feel with a global player base. The 5v5 map, lane structure, and match pacing are all very recognisable to HoK players.
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League of Legends: Wild Rift if you come from PC LoL or want the most polished hero design and ranked system on mobile. Match length is a little longer than HoK, but the balance team is the most experienced in the genre.
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Pokémon UNITE if you want a cross-platform MOBA you can play on Switch and phone. Unite battles are simpler than HoK fights, which makes it the best pick for casual players and groups with mixed skill levels.
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Brawl Stars if you do not have time for full MOBA matches. Three-minute brawls and modes like Gem Grab and Showdown scratch the team-fight itch in a fraction of the time.
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Onmyoji Arena if the art and atmosphere matter as much as the gameplay. NetEase’s MOBA leans into yokai folklore, and the slower mid-game pace rewards positioning more than raw mechanics.
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Marvel Super War if you are a Marvel fan looking for a 5v5 lane game. Playing Iron Man as a marksman or Hulk as a tank is the draw, and the lane fundamentals are familiar to any MOBA player.
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Heroes Evolved if your phone struggles with Honor of Kings. The install size is smaller, the system requirements are lower, and matches still follow the classic three-lane MOBA template.
If you only play with friends already on Honor of Kings, and your region is supported, stay on Honor of Kings. Nothing on this list has the same hero pool, and switching means rebuilding your friend group on a new title. The case for moving gets strongest when you cannot install HoK in your country, or when ping and frame rate are getting in the way of the matches you are playing.
Want more detail? Each app has its own breakdown below, with what it does well, where it falls short, and who should pick it.
1. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, the closest direct replacement
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is the MOBA most Honor of Kings players already know by reputation. The two games share the same DNA: 5v5 lanes, jungle camps, towers, a mid-game power spike, and team-fights around an objective. Match length sits around the 10-minute mark, which is exactly the rhythm Honor of Kings is built around.
The hero pool is huge, with new releases on a regular cadence. Mobile Legends has a strong competitive scene, particularly in Southeast Asia, and the regional split keeps matchmaking responsive in countries where Honor of Kings has thin or non-existent coverage. The interface is dense but learnable, and most controls map cleanly from HoK.
Where it falls short: the monetisation is more aggressive than Honor of Kings, with skins and limited-time events front and centre. Some heroes are clearly stronger after balance patches than others, and meta shifts can feel sudden if you do not follow patch notes. Reports of toxicity in solo queue are also common, although the in-game reporting tools have improved.
Pricing: Free to play, with optional paid skins and battle passes. No subscription is required to access the full hero pool over time.
Platforms: Android, iOS.
Advantages:
- Closest gameplay match to Honor of Kings on mobile
- Largest non-HoK MOBA player base, fast queue times in most regions
- Frequent hero releases keep the meta moving
- Established competitive scene at regional and world level
Disadvantages:
- Aggressive monetisation around skins and events
- Toxicity in solo queue is a recurring complaint
- Balance swings between patches can feel sharp
- Interface is busy and takes time to settle into
Bottom line: The default pick if Honor of Kings is unavailable in your region or you want the same gameplay loop with a wider international player base.
2. League of Legends: Wild Rift, best for PC LoL fans
Wild Rift is Riot’s mobile take on League of Legends. Matches run a little longer than Honor of Kings, around the 15 to 18 minute mark, which is a deliberate choice to give the strategic phases of laning, jungling, and team-fighting more room to breathe. The hero kits are pulled from the PC roster and adapted for touchscreen controls, so PC LoL players will recognise most of the cast immediately.
Riot’s balance team is the most experienced in the genre, and patches arrive on a regular cadence with detailed notes. The ranked system is rigorous, and party play with friends on different skill brackets is supported with sensible matchmaking caps. Cosmetic monetisation exists but is largely cosmetic, not pay-to-win.
The trade-off is the learning curve. Items, runes, summoner spells, and lane assignments are denser than Honor of Kings, and the longer match length means a single bad game eats more time. Wild Rift has also been more conservative with new champion releases than its competitors, so the cadence of fresh content is slower.
Pricing: Free to play, cosmetic skins and battle passes are paid.
Platforms: Android, iOS.
Advantages:
- Champions, items, and runes lifted from PC LoL with thoughtful mobile adaptation
- Strong, consistent balance work and a transparent patch cycle
- Cosmetic-only monetisation, not pay-to-win
- Rigorous ranked and matchmaking systems
Disadvantages:
- Match length is longer than Honor of Kings, less suited to short sessions
- New champion cadence is slower than competing MOBAs
- Steeper learning curve for players new to LoL systems
- Some regions still lack a polished local server
Bottom line: The pick when match quality matters more than match speed. If you have ever played PC League and want that on a phone, Wild Rift is the only honest answer here.
3. Pokémon UNITE, best for casual cross-platform play
Pokémon UNITE is a 5v5 MOBA built by TiMi Studios, the same team behind Honor of Kings, but published by The Pokémon Company. The format is intentionally simpler: matches are around 10 minutes, scoring is goal-based rather than tower-push, and the controls were redesigned with both touchscreen and Switch controllers in mind. The same account works across Switch and mobile, which is unusual in the genre.
The game is a comfortable on-ramp for groups with mixed MOBA experience. Item builds are present but light, the lane structure is forgiving, and casual modes alongside ranked give you a place to learn without sweat. The roster is built around Pokémon you already know, and the visual readability is much higher than most mobile MOBAs.
The trade-off is depth. Pokémon UNITE is shallower than Honor of Kings, Wild Rift, or Mobile Legends. Pro-level play exists, but the skill ceiling is closer to the floor than in the more traditional MOBAs. Some Pokémon also feel undertuned compared to the seasonal additions, and balance can lag behind the pace of new releases.
Pricing: Free to play, with paid licences for individual Pokémon and cosmetic items. Aeos Coins from play also unlock new picks.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, with cross-progression on a single account.
Advantages:
- Cross-progression between Switch and mobile on a single account
- Approachable for new MOBA players, mixed-skill groups in particular
- High visual clarity and recognisable Pokémon roster
- Same studio (TiMi) as Honor of Kings, so the polish is there
Disadvantages:
- Shallower than traditional MOBAs, lower skill ceiling
- Some Pokémon noticeably weaker after balance updates
- Item licences can feel grindy for free-to-play players
- Communication tools are deliberately limited, which is good and bad
Bottom line: Pick this when you want a 5v5 MOBA you can play on a Switch dock and a phone with the same friends. Not the deepest game on the list, but the most welcoming.
4. Brawl Stars, best for short sessions
Brawl Stars is Supercell’s top-down brawler with strong MOBA DNA. Matches are short, around three minutes, and the game cycles you through modes like Gem Grab, Showdown, Brawl Ball, and Heist instead of locking you into a single 5v5 lane format. If Honor of Kings asks for ten minutes of full focus, Brawl Stars asks for three of fast reflexes.
The roster is large and growing, with brawlers categorised into damage dealers, tanks, healers, and support roles familiar to any MOBA player. Brawl Pass is the main monetisation route and runs as a seasonal track. Supercell has a strong track record on balance and on respecting players’ time, with a reputation for not selling power directly.
The trade-off is straightforward: Brawl Stars is not a 5v5 lane MOBA and is not trying to be one. There is no jungle, no minion wave, no neutral objective in the traditional sense. If you want a strict Honor of Kings replacement, this is not it. If you want a complementary game for break-time matches, it is hard to beat.
Pricing: Free to play, with the Brawl Pass and direct brawler purchases.
Platforms: Android, iOS.
Advantages:
- Three-minute matches fit any schedule
- Strong rotation of game modes keeps things fresh
- Supercell’s reputation for fair-feeling monetisation
- Wide global player base, easy matchmaking
Disadvantages:
- Not a 5v5 lane MOBA, no minions or jungle
- Brawler unlocks can feel slow without spending
- Less strategic depth than Honor of Kings or Wild Rift
- Top-down camera angle takes getting used to
Bottom line: The right pick if your problem with Honor of Kings is time, not gameplay. Keep this one on the home screen for the queue at the bus stop.
5. Onmyoji Arena, best for Eastern myth and yokai aesthetic
Onmyoji Arena is NetEase’s 5v5 MOBA set in the Onmyoji universe of yokai and shikigami. It is one of the most distinctive-looking MOBAs on mobile, with hand-drawn character art and ambient sound design that you do not get in Honor of Kings or Mobile Legends. The map keeps the standard three-lane layout but the pacing leans a touch slower than HoK, particularly in the mid-game.
The roster is built from the Onmyoji card-game characters, so fans of that franchise will recognise most of the kit. Mechanically the game is a competent 5v5 MOBA with the usual lane assignments, jungle camps, and team-fight objectives. NetEase’s regional servers are well maintained, and the localisation across English, Chinese, Japanese, and several Southeast Asian languages is thorough.
The trade-off is reach. Onmyoji Arena’s player base is concentrated in East and Southeast Asia, and queue times outside those regions can stretch, especially in off-peak hours. The interface and tutorial assume some familiarity with the wider Onmyoji universe, which can leave new players slightly lost in the first few games.
Pricing: Free to play, with cosmetic skins and battle passes.
Platforms: Android, iOS.
Advantages:
- Distinctive yokai and Onmyoji art direction unlike any Western MOBA
- Solid 5v5 fundamentals from a major Eastern publisher
- Strong localisation across Asian languages and English
- Slower mid-game rewards positioning over reaction speed
Disadvantages:
- Player base concentrated in East and Southeast Asia
- Queue times stretch outside peak hours in other regions
- Tutorial assumes familiarity with the wider Onmyoji franchise
- Not aimed at competitive global tournaments
Bottom line: The pick when atmosphere matters and you are happy to play in Asia-friendly hours. If you enjoyed Onmyoji or like NetEase’s art style, this is the most distinctive 5v5 on the list.
6. Marvel Super War, best for Marvel IP fans
Marvel Super War is NetEase’s licensed Marvel MOBA, designed around the same 5v5 lane structure that Honor of Kings uses. The hook is simple: you play as Iron Man, Hulk, Spider-Man, Captain America, Storm, and dozens of other Marvel heroes, each adapted into a MOBA role like marksman, fighter, tank, support, or energy. The lane fundamentals will feel immediately familiar to any HoK or Mobile Legends player.
Hero kits are designed to match the character: Hulk leans into a tank role with rage mechanics, Iron Man is a ranged marksman with mobility, Doctor Strange is a control mage. Item systems are simpler than Wild Rift, closer in spirit to Mobile Legends, and matches sit in the 10 to 15 minute range. Cosmetic skins are the main monetisation route.
The trade-off is publishing reach. Marvel Super War launched in Southeast Asia and several other markets but has never seen a wide European or North American rollout, so availability depends on your region. Server population is also smaller than the global MOBAs on this list, which can affect queue times outside Asia-Pacific.
Pricing: Free to play, with cosmetic skins and event currency.
Platforms: Android, iOS, regional availability.
Advantages:
- Play as Marvel heroes with role-appropriate kits
- Familiar 5v5 lane structure for HoK and Mobile Legends players
- Cosmetic monetisation, not pay-to-win
- Distinctive identity in a crowded MOBA market
Disadvantages:
- Regional rollout is uneven, not available everywhere
- Smaller player base than the global MOBAs
- Fewer competitive tournaments than Mobile Legends or Wild Rift
- New hero cadence depends on Marvel licensing timelines
Bottom line: Pick this if you are a Marvel fan first and a MOBA player second. The IP is the draw, and the gameplay underneath holds up.
7. Heroes Evolved, best for older or budget phones
Heroes Evolved is the longest-running entry on this list. It launched on mobile in 2016 and has stayed alive thanks to a small but loyal community and very modest hardware requirements. The install size is smaller than the modern MOBAs, frame rates hold steady on lower-end Android devices, and the three-lane map will feel familiar to anyone who has played a Dota or LoL clone.
The hero pool is large, drawing on a mix of original designs and clear inspirations from older Dota-style games. Item builds are deeper than Mobile Legends or Honor of Kings, with active items playing a real role in fights. Match length sits around 15 to 20 minutes, which is closer to a traditional Dota game than to HoK’s compressed pacing.
The trade-off is the production budget. Heroes Evolved looks dated next to Honor of Kings or Wild Rift, the user interface is showing its age, and the matchmaking pool is small enough that queue times can stretch outside peak hours. The competitive scene that the game once had has largely faded.
Pricing: Free to play, with cosmetic skins and account boosts.
Platforms: Android, iOS.
Advantages:
- Runs on older phones at a smaller install size
- Deeper item systems than most modern mobile MOBAs
- Three-lane map and Dota-style pacing
- Long-running, stable client
Disadvantages:
- Visuals and UI feel dated
- Smaller matchmaking pool, longer queues outside peak
- Competitive scene has faded
- Less polish than the major publishers’ titles
Bottom line: A practical pick if your phone struggles with the modern MOBAs. Not glamorous, but it gets you into a 5v5 lane game without buying a new device.
How to choose
Pick Mobile Legends: Bang Bang if you want the closest gameplay match to Honor of Kings on a global player base.
Pick League of Legends: Wild Rift if balance, hero design quality, and ranked depth matter more than match length.
Pick Pokémon UNITE if you and your friends play across Switch and phone, and want a MOBA that does not punish casual players.
Pick Brawl Stars if your sessions are short and you want a brawler-style team game instead of a strict lane MOBA.
Pick Onmyoji Arena if you want something that looks and feels different from every other 5v5 on the market.
Pick Marvel Super War if the hero IP is the reason you would download a MOBA at all.
Pick Heroes Evolved if your phone is old and you want classic three-lane MOBA action without an upgrade.
Stay on Honor of Kings if your friend group is already on it, your region supports it, and your phone runs it cleanly. Nothing in this list has the same hero pool, and the social cost of a switch is real.
FAQ
Is Mobile Legends better than Honor of Kings?
Neither is strictly better. Honor of Kings has a deeper hero pool, more polished art, and a larger player base in Asia. Mobile Legends has wider international availability, faster matchmaking outside Asia, and a more familiar interface for players coming from Dota-style games. Pick based on which game your friends play and where you live.
Can I play Honor of Kings outside Asia?
The Level Infinite International Edition has rolled out to dozens of markets across Latin America, parts of Europe, the Middle East, and several other regions, but coverage is uneven. Check the listing in your country’s Play Store or App Store before making plans. Where the game is unavailable, Mobile Legends or Wild Rift fills the same role.
What is the closest free game to Honor of Kings?
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is the closest free 5v5 MOBA in feel and pacing. Wild Rift is the closest in production quality and balance work. Both are free to play with cosmetic-only spending paths.
Which MOBA has the shortest matches?
Brawl Stars at around three minutes per match. For a more traditional MOBA experience, Honor of Kings and Mobile Legends both target around 10 minutes, while Wild Rift averages 15 to 18 minutes.
Are these MOBAs cross-platform with PC?
Pokémon UNITE plays on both Nintendo Switch and mobile with a shared account, which is the closest thing to cross-platform on this list. The other titles are mobile-only or have separate PC counterparts (Wild Rift is the mobile sibling of PC League of Legends, but accounts and progression are not shared).
