Best The Elder Scrolls Online Alternatives in 2026
The top The Elder Scrolls Online alternatives are Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2 and VALORANT: 15 PC games our editors would look at instead of The Elder Scrolls Online, in our ranking order.
The Elder Scrolls Online: Solo story quests meet dungeons, trials, crafting, and PvP across Tamriel. Where it falls short: requires a persistent internet connection and ESO account.
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Best forFree competitive strategy multiplayer
A free competitive strategy game with matchmaking, bot co-op, and cosmetic purchases.
- Mod support
- Online multiplayer
- Single-player
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Dota 2 -
Best forPC players seeking free tactical team matches
A free competitive shooter with visible ratings, leaderboards, and optional Prime matchmaking.
- Mod support
- Online multiplayer
9.3/10★★★★★Try Counter-Strike 2 -
Best forFree 5v5 tactical shooter matches
A free online shooter built around team tactics, round objectives, and multiple match modes.
- Online multiplayer
9.2/10★★★★★Visit VALORANT -
Best forFree battle royale squads
A free Windows battle royale with Solo, Duo, and Squad play.
- Mod support
- Online multiplayer
9.1/10★★★★★Visit PUBG -
Best forPlayers seeking free team-based PvP
Hero-based team PvP with custom games, Workshop scripting, and cooperative Story Missions.
- Online multiplayer
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Overwatch -
Best forPlayers who want varied class-based multiplayer action
A free class-based action game with ranked, casual, cooperative, and bot-practice modes.
- Mod support
- Controller support
- Online multiplayer
8.9/10★★★★☆Try Team Fortress 2 -
Best forFree battle royale with cross-platform parties
A free online battle royale with distinct Legends and cross-platform play.
- Controller support
- Online multiplayer
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Apex Legends -
Best forStory-driven fantasy RPG with co-op
A choice-driven fantasy campaign for solo play or online co-op with up to four players.
- Mod support
- Controller support
- Online multiplayer
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Larian Studios -
Best forOpen-world story and online action
A heist-led story and large-scale online play come together in a Windows PC edition.
- Controller support
- Online multiplayer
- Single-player
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Rockstar Games -
Best forDetailed open-world western adventure
A story-led western with a broad online world, sold as a one-time purchase.
- Online multiplayer
- Single-player
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Rockstar Games -
Best forChoice-driven fantasy RPG and modding
A choice-driven fantasy RPG with a broad world, two expansions and community mods.
- Mod support
- Controller support
- Single-player
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit The Witcher 3 -
Best forPlayers seeking fantasy exploration and optional online aid
A fantasy action RPG built around exploration, flexible combat, and online assistance.
- Online multiplayer
- Single-player
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Elden Ring -
Best forSingle-player open-world RPG modders
A single-player RPG pairing Night City exploration with combat and Windows mod tools.
- Mod support
- Controller support
- Single-player
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit CD PROJEKT RED -
Best forColony simulation with emergent stories
A $35 colony sim for players who enjoy managing survivors and unfolding stories.
- Mod support
- Controller support
- Single-player
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit RimWorld -
Best forHistorical strategy campaigns and skirmishes
Four campaigns, multiplayer, AI skirmishes, and mod tools shape this Windows strategy game.
- Mod support
- Controller support
- Online multiplayer
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit site
The Elder Scrolls Online Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to The Elder Scrolls Online?
Dota 2: #1 in our PC Games ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A free competitive strategy game with matchmaking, bot co-op, and cosmetic purchases.
Is there a free alternative to The Elder Scrolls Online?
Yes. Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, VALORANT, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS and Overwatch have a free plan or a free tier (7 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to The Elder Scrolls Online?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, RimWorld starts lowest, at $35one-time.
The Elder Scrolls Online vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Genre | Single-player | Online multiplayer | Supported OS | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | The Elder Scrolls Online | No | — | Role-playing | Yes | Yes | Multiple | 3.0 |
| 1 | Dota 2 | Yes | None | Strategy | Yes | Yes | Multiple | 9.4 |
| 2 | Counter-Strike 2 | Yes | — | Action | No | Yes | Multiple | 9.3 |
| 3 | VALORANT | Yes | None | Action | No | Yes | Windows | 9.2 |
| 4 | PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS | Yes | — | — | No | Yes | Windows | 9.1 |
| 5 | Overwatch | Yes | — | Action | — | Yes | Windows | 9.0 |
| 6 | Team Fortress 2 | Yes | — | Action | Yes | Yes | Multiple | 8.9 |
| 7 | Apex Legends | Yes | None | — | No | Yes | Windows | 8.8 |
| 8 | Baldur's Gate 3 | No | — | Role-playing | Yes | Yes | Multiple | 8.7 |
| 9 | Grand Theft Auto V | No | — | — | Yes | Yes | Windows | 8.6 |
| 10 | Red Dead Redemption 2 | No | $59.99one-time | Action | Yes | Yes | Windows | 8.5 |
| 11 | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | No | — | Role-playing | Yes | No | Windows | 8.4 |
| 12 | Elden Ring | No | — | Role-playing | Yes | Yes | Windows | 8.3 |
| 13 | Cyberpunk 2077 | No | — | Role-playing | Yes | No | Windows | 8.2 |
| 14 | RimWorld | No | $35one-time | Simulation | Yes | — | Multiple | 8.1 |
| 15 | Age of Empires IV | No | — | Strategy | Yes | Yes | Windows | 8.0 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update