A free Jackbox alternative with no screen to share
Letternerd is a free Jackbox alternative: party games that run in the browser, where every player sees the prompt and answers on their own phone. There is nothing to buy or install and no host screen to share, so it works in one room, over a video call or in a group chat. Share a room code or link and friends join as guests.
What is Jackbox Party Pack?
The Jackbox Party Packs are collections of party games from Jackbox Games, including titles such as Quiplash and Drawful. One person owns the pack and runs it on their computer, console or TV. Everyone else goes to jackbox.tv, types the room code shown on the host’s screen and uses their phone as a controller, while the prompts, drawings and scores appear on the host’s screen. To play remotely, the host shares that screen on a call such as Zoom or Discord.
Why people look for a Jackbox Party Pack alternative
- Nobody in the group owns a pack, or the person who does is not around tonight.
- On a video call the host has to share their screen, and anyone on a phone ends up switching between the call and the controller.
- You want to play in a group chat, where people answer when they are free rather than all at once.
- You want to make a whole game of your own, about your own friends.
Letternerd vs Jackbox Party Pack
| Feature | Jackbox Party Pack | Letternerd |
|---|---|---|
| To get started | The host buys a Party Pack and installs it | Free to play, nothing to install |
| Where the game appears | On the host’s screen; phones are controllers | On every player’s own phone |
| Joining | Room code at jackbox.tv | Room code, link or QR code, as a guest |
| Playing remotely | The host shares their screen on a call | Everyone opens the link; use any call alongside, or none |
| Timing | Live, everyone at once | Live with countdowns, or over several days |
| Kinds of game | Writing, drawing, quiz and bluffing games | Party games, quizzes, anonymous games, word puzzles, drawing and voice games |
| Make your own | Play the games in the pack | Describe a game in a sentence, start from a template, or edit by hand |
Which should you pick?
Pick Jackbox Party Pack if
- You want polished games made for a TV, with a room full of people watching one screen together.
- You stream your games and want viewers to join in as an audience, which many Jackbox games support.
- You already own a pack and everyone is on the same sofa.
Pick Letternerd if
Pick Letternerd if- You want to start a party game right now, free, from a link in the chat.
- You are on a video call and would rather nobody had to share a screen.
- Some of your friends will play later in the day, not all at the same time.
- You want to build a game of your own from one sentence.
How to play a free Jackbox alternative on a video call
Letternerd has no call of its own, and it does not need one. Each player’s phone shows the game, so the call is only there for the talking and the laughing.
- Start your call as usual on Zoom, FaceTime, Google Meet, Discord or WhatsApp.
- On any phone or computer, pick a game such as Best Answer and host a room.
- Paste the room link into the call chat, or read the code out loud. Friends open it in their browser and join as guests.
- Everyone reads the prompt and answers on their own screen, so nobody squints at a shared window. Talk it over on the call while the round reveals.
More ideas for calls are in games to play on a video call.
Which Letternerd games feel closest to Jackbox
These are Letternerd’s own games, not copies of any Jackbox title, but they scratch the same itch: short rounds, everyone answering at once, and a reveal that gets the room talking.
- Write the funniest line: Best Answer, where a rotating judge crowns the best one-line answer, and Caption this, where everyone captions the same scene and the room votes.
- Drawing: Sketch guess. Everyone draws the same thing, then the room works out whose drawing is whose.
- Think like the room: Great Minds scores you only when you side with the crowd, and in On a Scale one player clues a hidden spot on a 0–10 dial.
- Push your luck: Bank or Bust, where a bust catches everyone who pushed, and Going Once, a round of sealed-bid auctions.
- Best Answer3–10 players · 12 minAnswer the prompt in one line. A rotating judge crowns the best.
- Caption this3–12 players · 12 minOne scene, everyone captions it, funniest one takes the round.
- Sketch guess3–12 players · 12 minEveryone draws the same thing. Whose masterpiece is whose?
- Great Minds3–12 players · 9 minAnswer at the same time. Score only if you side with the crowd.
Games to play instead of Jackbox Party Pack
Free in your browser on any phone or computer. Play alone, or share the room code and everyone joins as a guest.
- Best Answer3–10 players · 12 minAnswer the prompt in one line. A rotating judge crowns the best.
- Caption this3–12 players · 12 minOne scene, everyone captions it, funniest one takes the round.
- Sketch guess3–12 players · 12 minEveryone draws the same thing. Whose masterpiece is whose?
- Great Minds3–12 players · 9 minAnswer at the same time. Score only if you side with the crowd.
- Hot takes3–12 players · 14 minSay the worst defensible opinion you have, out loud. Let the room judge.
- On a Scale3–10 players · 11 minOne player clues a hidden spot on a 0–10 dial. Get closest to score.
- Going Once3–8 players · 11 minSealed-bid auctions for lots worth different amounts. Spend your purse where it buys the most.
- Emoji story3–12 players · 10 minTell the story in emoji. Clearest version wins the round.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to Jackbox?
Yes. Letternerd is free to play in the browser. One person hosts a room, shares the code or link, and everyone joins on their own phone as a guest. Nobody has to buy or install anything.
Can you play Jackbox-style games without screen sharing?
Yes. On Letternerd the prompt, your answer and the results all show on each player’s own screen, so there is nothing to share. Use the call only to talk.
Do my friends need to download an app?
No. The link opens in any browser on a phone, tablet or computer, and friends can play as guests without an account.
How many people can play?
Each game page shows its own range. Most of the party games here take 3 to 10 or 12 players, and some quizzes take up to 20.
Can we play over a few days instead of all at once?
Yes. When you host, choose to run the room over several days, and each person takes their turn when they are free. It suits group chats in different time zones.
More games
Other comparisons
See all- Funny-answer party gameGames like QuiplashWant a game like Quiplash without buying anything? Letternerd has free funny-answer games: write one line, then a judge or the room picks the best.
- Drawing telephone game in the browserGartic Phone alternativeLike Gartic Phone? Letternerd has Story Relay, where a story goes round by voice and you only hear the clip before yours, plus drawing games. Free, online.
- Online drawing and guessing gameskribbl.io alternativeLooking for a skribbl.io alternative? In Letternerd’s Sketch guess everyone draws the same thing, then guesses who drew what. Free, in the browser.
- Group video chat app (closed in 2021)Houseparty alternativeHouseparty closed in 2021. Letternerd brings the games back to any video call: open a link on your phone and play along on Zoom, FaceTime or WhatsApp.
- Live quiz platform for classrooms and workKahoot! alternativeLooking for a free Kahoot alternative? Letternerd runs quizzes and party games in the browser: share a code, everyone plays on their phone, no signup.
Jackbox Party Pack 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.