A Houseparty alternative for games on any video call
Houseparty shut down in 2021, so the closest Houseparty alternative today is the video app you already use plus a game that runs in the browser. Letternerd is free and is not a video app: start a call on Zoom, FaceTime, WhatsApp or Discord, share a room link, and everyone plays party games and quizzes on their own phone.
What is Houseparty?
Houseparty was a drop-in group video chat app where friends could jump into each other’s calls and play a few party games together inside the call. Epic Games bought it in 2019, announced in September 2021 that it was closing the app, took it off the app stores that day and switched it off in October 2021. Epic has not announced a return.
Why people look for a Houseparty alternative
- You miss playing games with friends on a call, the way Houseparty did it.
- Your friends use different call apps and you want a game that works with all of them.
- You want something free that nobody has to install.
Letternerd vs Houseparty
| Feature | Houseparty | Letternerd |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Closed in October 2021 | Live and free to play |
| Video calling | Built in | None; use any call app alongside |
| Games | A few party games inside the call | 176 built-in games, plus games you make |
| Joining | Friends in the app | Room code, link or QR code, as a guest |
| Without a call | Games lived inside the call | Rooms also run in a group chat, over several days |
Which should you pick?
Pick Houseparty if
- If what you miss is the drop-in video rather than the games, a call app such as FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom or Discord is the part to keep, because Letternerd has no video of its own.
Pick Letternerd if
Pick Letternerd if- You want the games back without everyone joining a new social app.
- Half the group is on FaceTime and half on WhatsApp: the game link works for everyone.
- You want quizzes and party games for a call tonight, free.
How to use a Houseparty alternative on any video call
- Start a group call on whichever app your friends already use.
- On your phone or laptop, open Letternerd, pick a game and host a room.
- Drop the link in the call chat or read the room code aloud. Everyone joins from their own phone, in the browser.
- Answer on your own screen, then react together on the call when the round reveals.
If you are on the call from your phone
Put the call on speaker and switch to your browser. Letternerd does not need to see the call; it only needs the link. If someone drops off the call, they can keep playing from the same link.
Good games for a group video call
- Great Minds: answer at the same time, and score only if you side with the crowd.
- Never have I ever: everyone owns up at once, and standing alone is worth the most.
- Would you rather: two impossible choices. Pick a side, then defend it on the call.
- Ballpark: wild numbers and smart estimates. Get closest, or land it exactly.
- Team showdown: two teams, ten questions, every right answer scores for your side.
- How in sync are we?: everyone answers the same questions, and you find out which two of you think most alike.
More ideas are in games to play on a video call and the best online party games.
- Great Minds3–12 players · 9 minAnswer at the same time. Score only if you side with the crowd.
- Never have I ever3–16 players · 8 minOwn up all at once. Standing alone is worth the most.
- Would you rather2–16 players · 8 minTwo impossible choices. Pick a side and defend it.
- Team showdown4–16 players · 10 minTwo teams, ten questions. Every right answer scores for your side.
Games to play instead of Houseparty
Free in your browser on any phone or computer. Play alone, or share the room code and everyone joins as a guest.
- Great Minds3–12 players · 9 minAnswer at the same time. Score only if you side with the crowd.
- Never have I ever3–16 players · 8 minOwn up all at once. Standing alone is worth the most.
- Would you rather2–16 players · 8 minTwo impossible choices. Pick a side and defend it.
- Ballpark2–20 players · 9 minWild numbers, smart estimates. Get closest—or land it exactly.
- Team showdown4–16 players · 10 minTwo teams, ten questions. Every right answer scores for your side.
- How in sync are we?2–12 players · 5 minEveryone answers the same questions. Find out which two of you think most alike.
- Hot takes3–12 players · 14 minSay the worst defensible opinion you have, out loud. Let the room judge.
Frequently asked questions
Is Houseparty still available?
No. Epic Games announced in September 2021 that it was closing Houseparty, removed it from the app stores, and shut it down in October 2021.
What replaced Houseparty?
No single app. Most groups now use a call app they already have, such as FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom or Discord, and open a browser game like Letternerd alongside it.
Does Letternerd have video chat?
No. Letternerd has no voice or video calls. It runs in the browser next to whatever call you use, and each player sees the game on their own screen.
Can we play without a video call?
Yes. Share the link in a group chat and run the room over several days, so everyone takes their turn when they are free.
More games
Other comparisons
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- Messaging app with multiplayer gamesPlato alternativeWant games like Plato without joining another chat app? Letternerd runs in the browser: share a link in the chat you use, and everyone plays on their phone.
- Charades-style guessing appHeads Up! alternativeLooking for a Heads Up alternative? Letternerd has no charades, but its free clue and guessing games run in the browser on every phone, with no download.
- Games played inside iMessageGamePigeon alternativeGamePigeon only works in iMessage. Letternerd plays in any browser, so Android and iPhone friends can play together from one link. Free, no download.
Houseparty is a trademark of its owner. Letternerd is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by them. The comparison describes each product as publicly presented and may change; check their site for the latest.