The best Poki alternative for most players is Mayavoo, a free site of browser games from independent creators. Like Poki, it needs no download and no account, but every game is played and checked by the team before it is listed, and no ads run while you play.
If you already like Poki, you do not have to give it up. Mayavoo is a second place to find games, with a different catalog and a quieter feel.
Why people look for a Poki alternative
Most searches for a Poki alternative come from one of three wishes:
- Something new. After a while the same front-page hits get old, and you want games you have not seen.
- Fewer interruptions. Ad breaks are how free game sites pay the bills, and some players want them out of the way of the actual play.
- A different style of game. Indie titles often feel more personal than the big viral hits.
Mayavoo answers all three. Its games come from individual makers, each page explains how the game plays, and the ad rules are written down plainly.
What Mayavoo does differently
| Mayavoo | Poki | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Download needed | No | No |
| Account to play | Not needed | Not needed |
| Who makes the games | Independent creators | A global community of creators |
| Ads | A short Google ad may show before a game starts and when you leave, none during play | Ad-supported, revenue shared with developers |
| Review before listing | Team plays each game and checks its files and network behavior | Says each game goes through quality assurance |
Two details stand out. First, each Mayavoo game runs in a sandboxed frame that is kept away from your Mayavoo account. Second, signing in is optional: you only need Google or GitHub if you want to like games or leave a comment.
Where to start on Mayavoo
The Mayavoo home page shows popular and new games, and the category browser sorts them by genre. A few starting points, each described from its own page:
- Brickfall. A falling-block puzzle with a hold slot, a ghost piece and Marathon or Sprint 40 modes. Keyboard or touch.
- Circuit Drift. Arcade racing on three coastal tracks, where drifting through corners charges your nitro.
- Corner Pocket Club. Pool with real spin and fouls. Beat a ladder of club members or play a friend.
- Tumbler. A five-letter word game about cracking vaults, with a daily puzzle and an endless mode.
- Jade Pairs. Mahjong solitaire where every deal can be cleared.
All five list desktop, mobile and tablet on their pages, so they work on a phone as well as a laptop.
When Poki is still the better choice
If you want one specific big title you already know from Poki, go to Poki for it. Mayavoo has its own catalog, so a game you love there may not be on Mayavoo. For finding something fresh from independent makers, Mayavoo is the better place to look.
How to switch
There is nothing to move over. Open mayavoo.com in the browser you already use, pick a category, and press play. If you find a game you like, sign in to like it so it is easy to find again.