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Head-to-head · Game Databases

RAWG vs BoardGameGeek

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score RAWG #2 in Game Databases 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit RAWG
BoardGameGeek #5 in Game Databases 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit BoardGameGeek

RAWG leads on 0 checks, BoardGameGeek on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreRAWG · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth

RAWG scores higher on our rubric for game databases: 9.2 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

RAWG is the better fit for rich game metadata and recommendations. BoardGameGeek is the better fit for board and tabletop game databases.

  • RAWG fits best

    Rich game metadata and recommendations

  • BoardGameGeek fits best

    Board and tabletop game databases

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Side by side

Feature RAWG 9.2/10 Visit ↗ BoardGameGeek 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.4
Ranking #2 in Game Databases #5 in Game Databases
Best for Rich game metadata and recommendations Board and tabletop game databases
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $149/mo Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Community, Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features RAWG 1/5 · BoardGameGeek 1/5
API access ✓ ✓
Quest data Not checked yet Not checked yet
Character data Not checked yet —
Item data Not checked yet Not checked yet
Ability data Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms PC, Xbox One, iOS, Nintendo DS, Linux, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Wii, Game Boy Advance, SNES, Apple II, Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit, Atari XEGS, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, Android, Nintendo DSi board games, card games, tabletop games, wargames, traditional games
Export formats Not checked yet XML, CSV
Our review
Pros
  • Detailed metadata, ratings, media, DLC and franchise relationships
  • Recommendations plus player activity and Steam average playtime
  • Free API access for personal, hobby and non-commercial projects
  • Broad records for board, card, tabletop, wargame, and traditional titles
  • Collections, play logging, ratings, rankings, expansions, and community forums
  • Selected XML API access plus CSV downloads for core game data
Cons
  • Commercial use requires the $149-per-month Business plan
  • Free projects require backlinks to RAWG
  • Enterprise features are needed for downloadable file API access
  • Focused on tabletop titles rather than general game databases
  • Available through the web platform
  • API access covers selected database data
Our verdict

RAWG is a web-based video game database and discovery service for developers, publishers and product teams building game catalogs, discovery tools or recommendation experiences. Its searchable records cover descriptions, genres, release…

Read the review →

BoardGameGeek is a free, web-based database and community site for board games, card games, tabletop games, wargames, traditional games, and related titles. It suits players, collectors, tabletop communities, and researchers who need a…

Read the review →
  1. RAWGGame Databases 9.2Free plan
  2. BoardGameGeekGame Databases 8.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • RAWG — where it wins

    • Detailed metadata, ratings, media, DLC and franchise relationships
    • Recommendations plus player activity and Steam average playtime
    • Free API access for personal, hobby and non-commercial projects

    Where it doesn't

    • Commercial use requires the $149-per-month Business plan
    • Free projects require backlinks to RAWG
    • Enterprise features are needed for downloadable file API access

  • BoardGameGeek — where it wins

    • Broad records for board, card, tabletop, wargame, and traditional titles
    • Collections, play logging, ratings, rankings, expansions, and community forums
    • Selected XML API access plus CSV downloads for core game data

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on tabletop titles rather than general game databases
    • Available through the web platform
    • API access covers selected database data

More comparisons

All game databases comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update