How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Minecraft and Fortnite are the safest starting points, since both run on many devices and let mixed PC, console and mobile groups play together.
- Fall Guys and Among Us are the best low-friction picks for a mixed-skill group, with short rounds and free or low-cost entry.
- Deep Rock Galactic, Sea of Thieves, No Man's Sky and Diablo IV reward a regular group, with longer sessions and shared progression.
- Cross-play is not the same on every title: check the exact platform pair, such as PC with Xbox or PlayStation with PC, before everyone buys.
- Voice chat, account linking and cross-progression vary by game, so set up accounts and party invites before your first planned session.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Minecraft | creative building with any group | See website | No |
 Fortnite | free co-op action and building | Free | Yes |
 Fall Guys | short party rounds | Free | Yes |
 Among Us | social deduction with friends | See website | Yes, on mobile |
 Deep Rock Galactic | four-player mining missions | See website | No |
 Sea of Thieves | pirate crews and open exploration | See website | No |
 No Man's Sky | shared space exploration | See website | No |
 Diablo IV | action role-playing with a party | See website | No |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Minecraft works for almost any group because it can be calm, creative or tense, depending on the world you load. Bedrock Edition lets players on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and mobile join the same world, which removes the usual problem of one friend owning a different console. Families, school groups and long-distance friends can build a base, farm, explore caves or take on the Ender Dragon together.
The main point to check is edition. Java Edition is PC only and has its own servers and mods, while Bedrock Edition is the cross-play version. If your group mixes devices, buy Bedrock for everyone. Realms and private servers make it easy to keep a shared world running between sessions, but they add a subscription cost on top of the game itself.
What we like- Bedrock cross-play across PC, console and mobile
- Endless building and survival modes
- Huge community content
Watch out for- Java and Bedrock players cannot join the same world directly
- Younger players need account and chat controls set first
- Performance varies by device
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Fortnite is more than battle royale. Duos and squads let friends drop in together, while LEGO Fortnite offers a survival and building mode that suits players who prefer cooperation over shooting. Creative islands add racing, puzzles and custom games, so a group can switch styles without buying a new title.
Cross-play is broad, and parties can mix PC, console and mobile players, though competitive matchmaking may group by input type. The free entry point makes it easy to test whether a group enjoys it before anyone spends money. Set spending controls for younger players, since the shop sells skins and passes separately from the game itself.
What we like- Free to start
- Cross-play across PC, console and mobile
- Many co-op modes beyond battle royale
Watch out for- Cosmetic shop can tempt younger players
- Skill gaps show fast in competitive modes
- Large download and frequent updates
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Fall Guys turns a game night into a series of five-minute obstacle courses, team games and finals. Rounds are short enough that a friend who joins late is not left waiting long, and the bright, physical comedy keeps the tone light even when a team loses. Squad modes let friends share progress, while solo queues still allow a group to compare results after each show.
Because it is free, Fall Guys is a good second game for a group that already plays something longer. The main limits are session length and depth: players who want a story or long progression will move on faster than players who enjoy party games. Cross-play covers PC, console and mobile through the Epic Games Store, so check that everyone signs in with the same account type before forming a party.
What we like- Free to play
- Short rounds suit mixed schedules
- Cross-play across major platforms
Watch out for- Party size and squad modes change by season
- Cosmetic items are extra
- Chaos can frustrate players who want strategy
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes, on mobile
Among Us is a party game built on tasks, suspicion and voting. Crewmates complete jobs around a ship or base while Impostors try to remove them quietly, and emergency meetings turn into debates about who acted strangely. The rules take two minutes to explain, which makes it ideal for a group that includes non-gamers.
Cross-play is a genuine strength, since mobile players can join PC and console friends in the same lobby. The experience is far better with friends than with strangers, and voice chat on a separate call helps the discussion flow. Buy the paid version on PC or console if you want the full cosmetic options, but mobile players can start free and still join the same games.
What we like- Cross-play across PC, console and mobile
- Games need only 4 to 15 players
- Simple rules anyone can learn
Watch out for- Best with voice chat or a call alongside the game
- Public lobbies vary in quality
- Paid version on PC and console
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Deep Rock Galactic puts four dwarven miners into procedurally generated caves to mine, defend and extract before the swarm overwhelms them. Each class has a clear job: the Scout lights and reaches high ground, the Engineer builds platforms and turrets, the Driller opens new routes, and the Gunner holds the line. A team that ignores those roles will struggle, which is exactly why it works so well as a co-op pick.
Cross-play links PC and Xbox players, so check the current platform support before a PlayStation friend buys in. Missions are structured and replayable, with upgrades, cosmetics and seasonal events that reward a regular crew. It is louder and more intense than a building game, but the humour and teamwork keep it friendly for adult groups.
What we like- Tight four-player co-op design
- Distinct classes that depend on each other
- Cross-play between PC and Xbox
Watch out for- Cross-play does not cover every platform pair
- Missions can run long
- Dark caves and combat may not suit younger players
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Sea of Thieves gives a crew a ship, a map and a sea full of choices. One player steers, another manages sails, another watches for rocks and rival ships, and everyone grabs a bucket when water starts pouring in. That shared responsibility makes it one of the best games for friends who like talking through a plan, and the PlayStation 5 release widened cross-play to include Sony players alongside Xbox and PC.
Sessions can be relaxed or tense. A crew can fish, hunt treasure, follow Tall Tales or chase other players, and the game does not force a single path. The risk is other crews: a long voyage can end in a fight you did not want. Groups that prefer pure cooperation should use safer seas options or private sessions where available, and agree on session length before setting sail.
What we like- Cross-play across Xbox, PC and PlayStation 5
- Shared ship roles
- Regular free content updates
Watch out for- Open world encounters with other crews can sink a casual session
- Progression is slower than a story game
- Needs a steady internet connection
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
No Man's Sky lets a group explore planets, build bases, trade, fight and survive together in a shared universe. Friends can meet at the Space Anomaly hub, visit each other's bases, take on missions and fly in formation, or split up and compare discoveries later. The scale is the draw: one session can move from a desert planet to an ocean world to a freighter base without loading a new game.
Cross-play covers the major platforms, which helps a group with mixed consoles. The game is less structured than a mission-based co-op title, so it suits players who enjoy setting their own goals. Agree on a plan for each session, such as building a base or finishing a mission chain, or the freedom can turn into drifting apart in different star systems.
What we like- Cross-play across PC, console and other platforms
- Base building and exploration together
- Years of free updates
Watch out for- Early game has a learning curve
- Multiplayer can feel loose without a shared goal
- Performance varies on older hardware
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Diablo IV is the pick for a group that wants a darker, longer campaign with loot and character builds. Parties of up to four can clear dungeons, fight world bosses and chase better gear together, and different classes cover damage, control and support in a way that makes teamwork visible. Cross-play and cross-progression mean a player can start on PC and continue on console with the same character, provided accounts are linked.
The cost is higher than the free games here, and expansions add classes and regions that not every player will own. Seasonal realms reset progression for fresh characters, while the Eternal Realm keeps long-term characters intact, so a group should agree which realm to use before starting. For friends who meet weekly and enjoy progression, Diablo IV gives that routine a clear structure.
What we like- Cross-play and cross-progression across PC and consoles
- Party play built around classes
- Seasonal content refreshes builds
Watch out for- Full price plus expansions for the complete experience
- Always online
- Story and loot systems reward long play
How we chose
We compared pricing pages, product documentation and public reviews on G2, Capterra and Reddit, and checked each homepage to confirm the product still exists and matches its category. We favoured games with real cross-play between at least two major platform families, clear co-op modes, and active support. Where a vendor does not publish a simple price, we wrote See website rather than guessing a number, since game prices vary by store, region and sale.
How to pick for your group
Start with who is playing and how long you have. A mixed-age group or a group with limited time will enjoy Fall Guys, Among Us or Fortnite, where a session can end in under an hour. A regular adult group that meets weekly will get more from Deep Rock Galactic, Sea of Thieves, No Man's Sky or Diablo IV, where progression carries across sessions.
Then check the platform pair, not just the word cross-play. A game can support PC with Xbox but not PlayStation, or console with mobile but not PC. Confirm that everyone can join the same party, that voice chat works across devices, and that any required account, such as an Epic, Microsoft, Battle.net or PlayStation account, is linked before game night. Finally, check whether progress, purchases and cosmetics carry across platforms, since cross-play alone does not guarantee cross-progression.
Check before everyone buys
Confirm the exact platforms each friend owns, the edition needed for cross-play, and whether a subscription such as Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus or Nintendo Switch Online is needed for online play. Test a short session with two players first, then add the full group once invites and voice chat work.
Keep game night friendly
Set a session length, agree on difficulty, and pick a game mode that fits the least experienced player. Turn on content controls for younger players, mute public chat where needed, and keep purchases optional so no one feels pushed to spend to keep up.
Frequently asked questions
What does cross-platform mean for co-op games?
Cross-platform, or cross-play, means players on different devices can join the same game session. In this list, that usually means PC players can play with console or mobile players, but the exact pairs vary by title. Always check the official cross-play page for the platforms your group owns.
Do all players need the same edition?
Often yes. Minecraft is the clearest example: Bedrock Edition supports cross-play, while Java Edition is PC only and cannot join Bedrock worlds directly. Other games may need the same expansion or season pass for shared content, so confirm edition details before buying.
Which cross-platform co-op game is free?
Fortnite and Fall Guys are free to play on PC, console and mobile, and Among Us is free on mobile. Free games still sell cosmetics, passes or extra content, so free entry does not mean every item in the game is free.
Can PC and PlayStation players play together?
Yes, in several games here, including Fortnite, Fall Guys, Among Us, Sea of Thieves, No Man's Sky and Diablo IV, subject to each game's current support. Deep Rock Galactic cross-play is narrower, linking PC and Xbox, so check its platform list if your group includes PlayStation players.
Is cross-progression the same as cross-play?
No. Cross-play lets you play together, while cross-progression lets you carry saves, characters and purchases across platforms. Diablo IV and Fortnite offer stronger cross-progression than some other titles, but account linking is usually required.
What is the best co-op cross-platform game for families?
Minecraft Bedrock Edition is the strongest family pick, with creative mode, private worlds and controls for chat and multiplayer. Fall Guys and Among Us also work well for families, provided an adult sets chat, spending and friend controls first.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.minecraft.net
- https://www.fortnite.com
- https://fallguys.com/
- https://www.innersloth.com/games/among-us/
- https://deeprockgalactic.com/
- https://www.seaofthieves.com
- https://nomanssky.com/
- https://diablo4.blizzard.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.