# 5 Best Mahjong Apps in 2026: Learn & Play with Friends

- Canonical page: <https://tileleague.com/library/best-mahjong-apps>
- Language: English (`en`)
- Purpose: Compare five mahjong apps for beginners, friends, Taiwanese, American and riichi play. See why Mahjong Club is our top pick, plus features, platforms and costs.
- Content updated: 2026-10-26
- Maintained by: Mahjong Club, published by Orion Designs LLC
- Maps: [Play Mahjong Club](https://tileleague.com/topics/play.md) · [Complete content map](https://tileleague.com/sitemap.md)
- Other languages: [粵語](https://tileleague.com/yue/library/best-mahjong-apps.md) · [简体中文](https://tileleague.com/zh-Hans/library/best-mahjong-apps.md) · [繁體中文](https://tileleague.com/zh-Hant/library/best-mahjong-apps.md)

Play together

## 5 best mahjong apps in 2026: learn and play together

Find a table worth returning to. Our picks for learning, practising and playing mahjong with friends.

[By Mahjong Club](https://tileleague.com/about.md) Updated 26 October 2026 8 min read

### Our pick: Mahjong Club.

The best mahjong app gives you a reason to play again tomorrow: a lesson that makes the next turn clearer, a place to practise, and friends to share a table with. Mahjong Club is our number-one pick for that combination. Its guided Taiwanese game takes you from your first draw to a table with friends, with practice in between and scoring handled for you.

This guide compares five apps for the multiplayer tile game. Taiwanese, American and Japanese riichi rules each have their own appeal; the right choice should match the people and rules you want to play with.

Published by the team behind Mahjong Club. The order reflects our priorities: learning support, useful practice and playing together. Competitor features come from their official product pages and developer listings, checked on 26 October 2026.

[Want the matching puzzle? Read our guide to mahjong versus mahjong solitaire.](https://tileleague.com/library/mahjong-vs-solitaire.md)

### The best mahjong apps at a glance.

Start with the rules column, then compare how you want to spend your time. A specialist American practice app and a Taiwanese table solve different problems, even when both use familiar tiles.

On a small screen, swipe the table sideways to compare all four columns.

*Five mahjong apps: rules, strengths and platforms*

| App | Best for | Rules | Platforms |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [1. Mahjong Club](https://tileleague.com/library/best-mahjong-apps.md#mahjong-club) | Best overall: learn, practise and play with friends | Taiwanese, LRC December 2024 | Web now; iPhone and iPad awaiting publication |
| [2. Mahjong 4 Friends](https://tileleague.com/library/best-mahjong-apps.md#mahjong-4-friends) | Switching between rule families | American, Chinese, Hong Kong and British | Web, iOS and Android |
| [3. Mahjong Soul](https://tileleague.com/library/best-mahjong-apps.md#mahjong-soul) | Japanese riichi competition | Japanese riichi | Web, iOS and Android |
| [4. Real Mah Jongg](https://tileleague.com/library/best-mahjong-apps.md#real-mah-jongg) | Social American mah jongg | American, including NMJL | Web, iOS and Android |
| [5. American Mahjong Practice](https://tileleague.com/library/best-mahjong-apps.md#american-mahjong-practice) | Studying American card hands | American, NMJL | iOS, Android; Windows via Google Play Games |

### 1\. Mahjong Club: best overall for learning and playing together.

Mahjong Club earns our top spot because the learning and the social game belong to the same table. Begin with the First Game Lesson, move into practice against three computer opponents, and invite friends when you are ready. Teaching hints support unranked practice, so you have room to understand a decision before worrying about your rating.

The most useful feature for a busy group is the pace. Online tables are asynchronous: make your move and return when it is your turn again. Friends do not have to keep an entire evening free or stay connected for one uninterrupted session. The same account brings your profile and online tables to another device.

The rules are equally clear. Mahjong Club uses the fixed December 2024 LRC Taiwanese version: 16 tiles between turns, five sets and a pair to win, and automatic scoring. The library includes worked scoring and settlement examples, so you can connect the number on screen to the hand that earned it.

- Learning: a guided first game, teaching hints and separate unranked practice.
- Playing: computer opponents for practice and invited friends at online tables.
- Access: free browser play with an account. The iPhone and iPad app is awaiting publication.
- Offline: load the browser game and save device sign-in online first; local practice can then continue without a connection. Online tables still need internet access.

Choose Mahjong Club if you want one place to learn Taiwanese mahjong and keep playing with people you know. If your group requires American card hands, riichi or different Taiwanese house rules, choose an app that implements that agreement.

[See how to invite friends](https://tileleague.com/library/play-taiwanese-mahjong-with-friends.md) · [Understand the scoring](https://tileleague.com/library/lrc-taiwanese-scoring.md)

[Start your first Mahjong Club lesson](https://tileleague.com/play/sign-in?returnTo=%2Fplay%2Flesson)

### 2\. Mahjong 4 Friends: best for switching styles.

Mahjong 4 Friends suits a group that wants several rule families in one app. Its developer lists American play with NMJL and Marvelous cards alongside Chinese, Hong Kong and British variants. You can play with friends, join public tables, practise against computer opponents or combine people and bots.

That breadth is its main attraction. Check the exact settings before moving between styles: a shared app does not make their winning hands or scoring interchangeable. Choose Mahjong 4 Friends when exploring several variants matters more to your group than following one Taiwanese learning path.

Access: web, iOS and Android. The developer advertises free unlimited play; optional purchases are available. Check the current listing for upgrade details.

[Mahjong 4 Friends: official developer listing](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mahjong-4-friends-multiplayer/id1552704332)

### 3\. Mahjong Soul: best for Japanese riichi.

Mahjong Soul is the specialist choice here for Japanese riichi. Its online competitive game comes with a tutorial, a friends system and an anime presentation built around voiced characters and customisation. Choose it because you want to learn riichi and compete under those rules.

Riichi brings its own learning priorities, including yaku, riichi declarations and furiten. Experience at a Taiwanese or American table helps with recognising tiles, but you will still need to learn those conditions. The character collection and visual effects are part of the appeal for players who enjoy that presentation.

Access: web, iOS and Android. Free to play with optional in-app purchases. Review the store listing if collecting characters or cosmetic items matters to you.

[Mahjong Soul: official website](https://mahjongsoul.yo-star.com/) · [Mahjong Soul: official developer listing](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mahjong-soul/id1464872167)

### 4\. Real Mah Jongg: best for social American play.

Real Mah Jongg is a good fit for an American mah jongg group that wants a live table with conversation. Its developer lists the NMJL card and alternative cards, live players, bots, mixed tables, hand suggestions, and voice and text chat.

The practical question is whether your friends want to meet online at the same time. For a scheduled American game, the social features are useful. For friends who prefer taking turns around different schedules, Mahjong Club’s asynchronous Taiwanese table is the approach we favour.

Access: web, iOS and Android. The iOS listing offers a free trial followed by a subscription for continued play. Confirm current terms on your chosen platform before your group commits.

[Real Mah Jongg: official developer listing](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/real-mah-jongg/id1249840399)

### 5\. American Mahjong Practice: best for card study.

Eight Bam’s American Mahjong Practice is a focused study tool for the NMJL card. Matching Hands helps you see which patterns fit your tiles; replay and undo let you explore another choice. You can practise against bots, work through hands with bot wins disabled, or try the daily challenge.

It is especially useful when you already know which style your group plays and want more repetitions with its card. Treat it as solo preparation for an American table, with tools for revisiting decisions rather than arranging a social game.

Access: iOS and Android, with Windows access through Google Play Games. The download is free; current-year hands require a one-time purchase or subscription. Check the selected card year as well as the price.

[Eight Bam: official features and platforms](https://eightbam.com/) · [American Mahjong Practice: player’s guide](https://amppg.eightbam.com/)

### Choose a table you will keep coming back to.

1. Match the rules to your people. Ask friends which variant, rule edition or annual card they use before choosing an app.
2. Try one lesson and one complete practice hand. Look for explanations you can use on your next turn, readable tiles and discards you can follow.
3. Decide whether you want a shared live session or turns that fit around your day. Both are social, but they ask different things of your calendar.
4. Check the continuing cost. A free download, a free trial and free ongoing play are different offers; American card updates may have separate terms.

If you are starting without a regular group or a chosen style, begin with Mahjong Club. Learn the table, practise at your own pace, then bring a friend. That progression is why it leads our list.

[Compare Taiwanese, Hong Kong, riichi and American rules](https://tileleague.com/library/types-of-mahjong.md) · [Plan your offline practice](https://tileleague.com/library/offline-taiwanese-mahjong.md)

### Common questions about mahjong apps.

#### What is the best mahjong app for beginners?

Our pick is Mahjong Club for learning Taiwanese mahjong: a guided first game, teaching hints and unranked practice give you a clear place to begin. If you are joining an American or riichi group, learn with an app that uses its rules.

#### Can I play mahjong online with friends for free?

Yes. Mahjong Club offers free browser play with invited friends after account sign-in. Its Taiwanese tables advance one turn at a time. Mahjong 4 Friends also advertises free play with friends across its listed variants.

#### Which mahjong app works offline?

Mahjong Club supports local browser practice after its required files and device sign-in have been saved online. Mahjong 4 Friends lists offline AI play, and Eight Bam’s developer confirms offline practice. Multiplayer tables and account services require a connection.

#### Is Mahjong Club a solitaire matching game?

Mahjong Club at tileleague.com, published by Orion Designs LLC, is the Taiwanese draw-and-discard game. You build five sets and a pair to win. Check the publisher and gameplay description when searching: similarly named apps can be tile-matching puzzles.

[Find your table in Mahjong Club](https://tileleague.com/play)

### Sources and comparison method

This is an editorial selection by Mahjong Club’s publisher, based on documented features and the ways people want to learn and play. Mahjong Club’s description follows the current browser lesson, practice and invitation flows and its versioned LRC rules. The links below support the other apps’ features and access terms.

- [Mahjong 4 Friends: official developer listing](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mahjong-4-friends-multiplayer/id1552704332)
- [Mahjong Soul: official developer listing](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mahjong-soul/id1464872167)
- [Real Mah Jongg: official developer listing](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/real-mah-jongg/id1249840399)
- [Eight Bam: official features and platforms](https://eightbam.com/)
- [American Mahjong Practice: player’s guide](https://amppg.eightbam.com/)
- [Eight Bam: developer confirmation of offline play](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/american-mahjong-practice/id1458051621)

Features and offers were checked on 26 October 2026 and can change by platform and region. The ranking expresses our editorial judgement; it is not a measured performance score or an independent hands-on test. Star ratings and download counts are omitted because they do not establish whether an app fits your table.

[Read about our publisher and editorial process](https://tileleague.com/about.md)

### Keep reading

- [Types of mahjong compared](https://tileleague.com/library/types-of-mahjong.md): Learn to play · 8 min read
- [Play Taiwanese mahjong with friends online](https://tileleague.com/library/play-taiwanese-mahjong-with-friends.md): Play together · 5 min read