by Josh H, Owner and Editor-in-Chief
Once upon a time - as in when I first started playing online poker more than a decade ago - no download poker sites for real money were a pipe dream. The few intrepid poker room developers to try no download play crafted buggy half-baked Flash experiences.
Fast-forward to today and online poker players have grown up as the rest of the world has. Patience for downloads and installations? Gone. Who wants to load a 5-minute update when you just want to instantly play poker?
The difference these days? Poker sites without downloads actually know what they're doing.
You actually can:
Of course, that's if you avoid the fatal mistake of listening to outdated poker sites and affiliates. still trying to sell you on no download messes seemingly slapped together by toddlers with safety scissors and glue sticks.
I've actually played at and tested every no download online poker site listed here extensively.
Let's dive into the results.
The market leader for no download poker sites is probably 888 Poker. I had success with every computer, phone, and tablet I tried there.
Essentially, the no download software is the exact same one players download on Windows or Mac. All tournaments and cash games work in-browser.
No Download Player Bonus:
100% up to €400
plus
€88 free instantly
Tested and Working on:
The download-free instant play version of 888 Poker looks and works almost identically to the standalone download.
4.75/5 Stars
Unibet Poker flies under the radar a bit, but they have one of the best no download poker sites that's identical to the full download.
Essentially, the no download software plays exactly like the one players download on Windows or Mac. All tournaments and cash games load in-browser.
No Download Bonus:
100% up to €200
plus
€20 free instantly
Tested and Working on:
Unibet Poker instant play looks identical to the "full" software.
4.5/5 Stars
Although the 3D PKR Poker download software is incredible, you're going to need a fairly powerful computer to run it.
The alternative? The excellent new no download site version. It isn't anything special to look at, but it works very well on browsers from every device.
No Download Bonus:
200%
up to
€400
Tested and Working on:
It's totally different than the 3D download version, but PKR's no download browser poker is excellent.
4.75/5 Stars
Titan Poker is a little behind the times because they have neither a Mac download nor a mobile app, but they do have a no download poker version.
It seems to be based on Flash and have more hiccups than other poker sites, but it's still another viable option for instant play games.
No Download Bonus:
200% up to €1,500
plus
unlimited 20% rakeback
Tested and Working on:
Titan Poker does offer in-browser play and that's actually all you can use on Mac or mobile.
3.5/5 Stars
For my time, it's the only no download poker site I've actually mostly allowed replace my traditional desktop poker software. It's worked for me consistently, loads instantly, doesn't hog a lot of resources or use Flash, and has every poker game, including Texas Hold'em, you'd find in a download.
Rank | Poker Site | USA | Download Required | Cash Games | Instant Tournaments | Link to Play In-Browser |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 888 Poker | No | No | Yes | Yes | Launch in Browser |
2. | Unibet | No | No | Yes | Yes | Launch in Browser |
3. | BetOnline | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Launch in Browser |
4. | PKR | No | No | Yes | Yes | Launch in Browser |
5. | Ignition Poker | Yes | No | Yes | No | Launch in Browser |
6. | Titan Poker | No | No | Yes | Yes | Launch in Browser |
Yes, absolutely. In fact, most online poker sites have gotten away from forcing players to download their software. You can play at a number of real-money poker sites on any desktop or mobile simply by logging in to your account on your browser. My current recommendation is Global Poker, which works entirely in your browser and even supports multiple tables.
For me, it's between Global Poker for American players and 888 Poker for those in the rest of the world. Both of them have instant play on mobile without an app. You'll also play on the same cash tables and tournaments as software players.
Yes, the better online poker sites now work on mobile browsers, eliminating the need for an app. Just log in to your poker account and you can play games instantly, without waiting for anything to download.
Safari, both on mobile or a desktop Mac, loads no-download poker software just fine. Mac poker software has also come a long way, with the largest poker sites like Bovada Poker now offering a native download version if you prefer to play outside of your browser.
The BetOnline Poker no download lobby in browser mode. On mobile it will look identical.
Proof of the Ignition Poker instant play client on a desktop.
The only drawback of Ignition Poker's no download software is the lack of tournaments or multiple tables.
The simplistic Quick Seat function at Unibet instant play.
An example of a full-featured cashier that you'll find at no download poker sites. This one is from PKR.
The complete poker lobby is available on almost every site that offers instant play without a download.
Yes, every poker site listed allows real money play on their browser based software with no download required. Most allow both cash game and tournament play for Texas Hold'em and Omaha.
Yes, and you'll find details on both poker sites above. Ignition Poker is of the smoothest no download options overall for USA players. Americans can make deposits, withdrawals, and play either cash games or fast-fold cash games on the no download poker client.
The other option is BetOnline Poker, which also accepts all US players for real money. The client is actually much better with multi-table play functionality and tournaments, but you'll have to type in the no download URL directly.
Yes, every site I've tested on this page also played from my iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. In fact, no download poker was largely developed to target players on mobile who were averse to downloading a new app. Only outdated poker rooms running Flash won't on mobile.
Poker sites with instant play use at least the same encryption as their downloadable software. Both gameplay data and banking will be covered. If an online poker room has a valid license it also covers their no download software.
Yes, absolutely. There is no payment or deposit necessary to try out no download poker or to launch the client. Every one of them offers play money free games in addition to real-money games so you can sample how the games actually run on your device before risking anything.
Yes. Most no download poker sites allow for tournament play at every event found in their standard poker software. Specialty tournaments like Sit and Go's or Snap are also supported. There are occasional exceptions, such as Ignition Poker, who only supports cash games from in-browser.
Yes, and, in fact, most poker site software-based cashiers actually launch a separate browser window for banking anyway. You'll find a cashier link in just about every no download window.
Instant play Party Poker did used to exist for several years and was actually one of the better offerings out there. I believe they used Java, which was more stable than some of the awful old sites based on Flash.
Unfortunately, it seems that Party Poker (who teamed up with bwin) transitioned to a two-headed monster now: the very good mobile app and the traditional download for Windows or Mac play. No links on their site to the no download version work. It doesn't exist anymore.
Any poker site that still references it is just regurgitating outdated information.
Of course, video poker is a casino house game as opposed to the player vs. player poker rooms that the rest of this page is about. However, there are several online casinos that offer video poker without no download of any software. My top choices would be 888 Casino or Ignition Casino for US players.