BoardGameGeek
BoardGameGeek: A free web database for discovering, tracking, rating, and discussing tabletop games. Ranked #5 of 14 in Game Databases by our editors (8.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for board and tabletop game databases.
At a glance
- Editor score8.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forBoard and tabletop game databases
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- API accessYes
- Founded2000 · Dallas, Texas, United States
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on BoardGameGeek
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 central place to search and browse game records. Entries can include descriptions, classifications, ratings, rankings, images, videos, files, links, forums, expansions, versions, and other community data. Users can also maintain personal collections, record plays, rate games, and join discussions.
Its strongest feature is the breadth of information connected to each game record. BoardGameGeek brings discovery, cataloging, play logging, rankings, community discussion, and expansion or version tracking into one tabletop-focused service. That makes it useful for maintaining a personal game library or exploring related titles. The site also supports selected database access through an XML API, while CSV downloads include game names, IDs, ranks, and average ratings. These export options add practical value for users who want to work with core catalog data outside the site.
The main trade-off is its narrow category focus and web-only availability. BoardGameGeek is a strong fit when the subject is tabletop gaming and the priority is a detailed, community-maintained catalog with collection and play features. It is less suitable for someone seeking a general video game database, character data, or a broader multi-platform product. Choose it for board-game discovery, cataloging, and discussion; consider an alternative when you need coverage outside tabletop games or data beyond the selected API and CSV fields.
Your product? Our editors can test BoardGameGeek in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
BoardGameGeek pricing
BoardGameGeek fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| API access | Yes |
| Supported platforms | board games, card games, tabletop games, wargames, traditional games |
| Export formats | XML, CSV |
| Quest data | Not verified |
| Character data | No |
| Item data | Not verified |
| Ability data | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | boardgamegeek.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to BoardGameGeek
- MobyGamesA broad game catalog with platform records, research tools, exports, and API access.9.4
- RAWGA broad game-data API with strong free access and a $149 monthly Business tier.9.2
- IGDBFree structured game data for browsing, research, and API-powered applications.9.1
See all BoardGameGeek alternatives →
BoardGameGeek vs the competition
- BoardGameGeek vs MobyGames
- BoardGameGeek vs RAWG
- BoardGameGeek vs IGDB
- BoardGameGeek vs LaunchBox
- BoardGameGeek vs NostalgiaDB
- BoardGameGeek vs GameDNA
Compare BoardGameGeek with any tool side by side →
Used BoardGameGeek? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used BoardGameGeek for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
BoardGameGeek is listed in our Game Databases directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/boardgamegeek/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/boardgamegeek.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update