
GeoGuessr had millions of geo gamers on the simple joy of guessing locations from street view images.
However, the change came too soon, as the subscription fees for unlimited rounds increased rapidly. I spent nights exploring alternatives that could give me the same gaming experience without emptying my wallet, and what I found needed not one single drop to its name.
Their solid free options capture what makes GeoGuessr special. But here’s the swerve: They all don’t run things like GeoGuessr, but they take geography gaming in exciting new directions. Whether you want video-based exploration, educational quizzes, or multiplayer competition, these 5 alternatives I found will sate your geo gaming cravings.
First, let me point you to the key considerations that’ll guide you in choosing a GeoGuessr alternative before I provide my subjective recommendations at the end of this article.
Key factors to consider when choosing a GeoGuessr alternative
Before committing to any of the 5 alternatives I’d recommend below, think these factors through:
Map coverage and accuracy
A great geography game relies on diverse, high-quality maps. Look for platforms that offer global coverage with detailed imagery. Consistent updates and accurate street-level views ensure challenges remain fresh and fair.
Game modes and customization
Variety enhances replay value. Check whether the platform supports single-player, multiplayer, and competitive modes. Custom game options (such as adjustable difficulty or themed challenges) make the experience more engaging.
User interface and experience
An intuitive design improves usability. Smooth navigation, clear labeling, and responsive controls are essential, especially for beginners. A clean interface also helps when playing on different devices.
Community and social features
Interactive communities add depth to gameplay. Features like leaderboards, friend challenges, and discussion forums foster engagement and healthy competition. Active communities often indicate that the game is well-maintained and popular.
Pricing and accessibility
Many alternatives are free but often rely on ads or optional premium tiers for revenue. Some may also offer in-app purchases or subscriptions for advanced features. Consider whether the upgrade cost aligns with your needs and budget, as frequent play could make premium access worthwhile.
By weighing these factors, you’ll be better equipped to choose a platform among the 5 that fits your needs, whether you’re after casual exploration, competitive play, or an educational experience.
Now, let’s head into talking about these five.
1. CityGuesser
Launch Date: May 6, 2022
Platform: Web browser
Pricing: Free
City Guesser is unarguably and evidently the closest thing to classic GeoGuessr, which you can get for free. This browser-based game captures everything I loved about GeoGuessr’s exploration gameplay, but exchanges static Street View images for dynamic walking videos. Instead of being dropped into a random photo, you watch full-screen footage of someone walking through real locations worldwide. It feels like taking a virtual stroll through cities before making your guess, making the experience more immersive than traditional photo-based games.
CityGuesser features I encountered while testing
- Video-based gameplay using dynamic street footage instead of static images
- Global exploration across cities and landscapes worldwide
- Multiplayer mode with private rooms for friends
- Social and party play is designed for groups
- Educational content that captures real location energy and culture
Pros
- Way more immersive than looking at still photos
- Perfect for playing with friends and family
- Actually teaches you about different cultures while you play
- Relaxing to watch, it’s like having a window to the world
- Completely free with no daily limits
Cons
- Sometimes the video quality makes exact guessing tricky
- Limited to urban areas mostly
- Can have geographic inaccuracies in some footage
- Less precise than traditional street view games
Best for…
- Geography lovers who want something more engaging than static images
- Party hosts looking for fun group activities
- People who enjoy virtual travel experiences
- Anyone wanting a relaxing second-screen activity while multitasking
2. Seterra
Launch Date: 1997 (Windows), 2011 (online version), 2016 (mobile app)
Platform: Web browser, iOS, Android
Pricing: Free (web), free with ads (mobile), premium ad-free: $1.99/month
Second on the list is Seterra, which, although acquired by GeoGuessr, remains free to create its own geography games and trivia in a different way. It is a great choice for many countries other than English-speaking ones because it deeply aligns with lingual diversity, supporting 40 languages.
While GeoGuessr tests what you already know about random places, Seterra builds your geographical knowledge from the ground up. You’ll learn countries, capitals, flags, rivers, and geological features through interactive quizzes that stick in your memory. Its voice feature makes it easier to correctly pronounce names of places one might have been able to before signing up on Serrata—an excellent tool for language practice.
Seterra also offers nine different game modes to keep things fresh, plus customizable quizzes that let you focus on specific regions like Europe, Asia, Africa, or the Americas. In addition to its web version, Seterra also has apps for Android and iOS, ensuring you can learn and play anytime, anywhere
Seterra features I experienced while trying it
- Over 400 comprehensive geography quizzes
- Multi-language support
- Topics covering countries, capitals, flags, and physical features
- Customizable quiz creation from existing question sets
- Learn mode for studying before being tested
- Score tracking and completion time monitoring
- Available across web browsers and mobile platforms
Pros
- Gamifies learning to make memorization engaging
- Massive content library covering every geographical topic
- Motivational support through score tracking and competition
- Free web access with optional mobile apps
- Continuous use guarantees significant knowledge improvements
Cons
- A repetitive quiz format can get monotonous
- Focuses on memorization rather than deeper understanding
- Mobile touch controls can be finicky on detailed maps
Best For…
- Students learning basic geography facts
- Homeschooling families needing educational tools
- Trivia enthusiasts preparing for competitions
- Casual learners wanting structured geography improvement
3. GeoHub
Launch Date: Not pinnable
Platform: Web browser
Pricing: Free
GeoHub stands out as one of the most feature-packed, cost-free GeoGuessr alternatives. The game is open-source, ensuring transparency and user privacy. While you’ll need to sign in before playing, the registration process is quick. The platform offers a clean, user-friendly interface, along with single-player and global region modes, making it accessible to both casual players and geography enthusiasts.
Powered by the Google Maps API, GeoHub allows you to explore virtually every location imaginable. While this setup could lead to future subscription models due to Google’s API costs, the platform currently remains free. If the developers can maintain this model, GeoHub will continue to rank among the most robust and enjoyable GeoGuessr-style games available.
GeoHub features I encountered on the go that you definitely would too
- Single-player modes with country streak challenges
- Daily puzzles that keep you coming back
- Community-created content and custom maps
- Leaderboards and achievement systems
- Multiple game types beyond just location guessing
- Country identification and flag recognition modes
Pros
- Strong community features and social interaction
- Multiple game modes prevent boredom
- Real educational value that sticks with you
- The achievement system makes progress feel rewarding
- Completely free to play
Cons
- It can feel overwhelming for casual players
- Some features need registration
- Smaller user base than major competitors
- Learning curve for new players
Best For…
- Students and teachers needing geography tools
- Competitive players who love leaderboards
- Community-minded gamers who like sharing progress
- Anyone wanting variety beyond basic location guessing
4. Hide & Seek World
Launch Date: 2020
Platform: Web browser
Pricing: Free
- Pro plan $2 per month ($24 billed yearly)
- Premium plan $3 per month ($36 billed annually)
Hide & Seek World introduces a clever twist on the traditional guessing format by emphasizing multiplayer interaction. The game is turn-based, with one player hiding at a location using Google Street View while others (called seekers) try to pinpoint the spot. The closer your guess, the more points you earn, creating a competitive and strategic experience.
The game offers two modes: Street View, where hiding spots are real-world streets, and Satellite, which zooms in on random map sections. After each round, players see everyone’s guesses and their distance from the target. The free version allows one game per day, while premium tiers unlock unlimited rounds, private rooms for up to 20 players, customizations, and more. This game is an excellent pick if you’re looking for a social, interactive twist on geography challenges.
Hide & Seek World features I encountered while testing it out
- Three game modes: Classic Match for hiding from friends, Find Wolly for competing to find the mascot, and King of the World with up to 100 players
- Real-world locations use Google Street View for authentic hiding spots
- It has a guess accuracy grading system that challenges you to get “Bang On” results
- Multiplayer focus with both friends and strangers
- Social and competitive elements that develop aerial reasoning skills
Pros
- Unique twist on traditional geography gaming
- Strong multiplayer community
- Multiple game modes keep it fresh
- Sharpens map-reading abilities and landmark recognition
- Free to play with an active player base
Cons
- Requires other players to be fun
- It can be challenging for geography beginners
- Limited single-player options
- Depends on finding active rooms
Best For…
- Social gamers who prefer playing with others
- Competitive players who like strategic thinking
- People bored with traditional guessing games
- Groups looking for online party activities
5. Worldle
Launch Date: January 22, 2022
Platform: Web browser, app (Android, iOS)
Pricing: Free
Worldle is a minimalist yet addictive game for geography lovers. Created by French developer Antoine Teuf, Worldle challenges players to identify countries based on their silhouettes. When you guess, the game provides feedback in the form of distance, direction, and proximity percentage, helping you refine your next attempt.
Unlike GeoGuessr’s random exploration, Worldle challenges you to the same challenge as everyone else worldwide each day. This shared experience creates a community feeling, where you’re all solving the same puzzle, comparing strategies, and learning together.
This daily puzzle format makes Worldle perfect for quick, brain-teasing sessions. It’s ideal for improving your knowledge of world geography in small, engaging doses. While the concept is simple, the challenge lies in distinguishing between countries with similar shapes. Best of all, it’s free and works seamlessly on desktop and mobile browsers.
Worldle’s features
- Daily challenge with one new country every 24 hours
- Six attempts to guess countries from their silhouettes
- Helpful distance and direction clues after each guess
- Proximity percentage showing how close you are
- Optional difficulty settings to rotate or hide silhouettes
- Social sharing to compare results with friends
Pros
- Quick daily mental exercise that fits any schedule
- Low-stress way to improve world geography knowledge
- Increases global awareness naturally
- Perfect brain teaser alternative to intense games
- Social sharing keeps you connected with friends
Cons
- Only one puzzle per day limits playtime
- Success depends heavily on recognizing country shapes
- Some obscure territories can be frustrating
- Limited replayability for extended sessions
Best For…
- Geography enthusiasts who love daily challenges
- Casual gamers wanting quick brain teasers
- Students looking for fun geography practice
- Travelers testing their destination knowledge
GeoGuessr’s 5 best alternatives compared
Here’s a concise yet detailed comparison of GeoGuessr’s top 5 alternatives, highlighting their key benefits.
Game | Launch Date | Platform | Pricing | Core Features | Best For | Unique Aspect |
City Guesser | Aug 13, 2020 | Web Browser | Free | •Video-basedgameplay• Global exploration•Has multiplayer with private rooms | Social gamers, virtual travelers, party play | Uses real walking videos instead of Street View |
Seterra | 1997 (PC), 2011 (Web), 2016 (Mobile) | Web, iOS, Android | Free (web), Free w/ ads (mobile), Premium $1.99/mo | • 400+ quizzes• 40+ languages• Voice pronunciation• 9 game modes | Students, trivia fans, homeschoolers | Deep educational focus & language support |
GeoHub | 2022 | Web Browser | Free | •Open-source• Custom maps•Leaderboards• Daily challenges | Competitive players, community-oriented users | Open-source with strong community features |
Hide & Seek World | 2021 | Web Browser | Free; Pro $2/mo; Premium $3/mo | •Multiplayer-focused• Street View & Satellite modes• Guess accuracy grading | Social gamers, competitive groups | Turn-based “hide & seek” geography concept |
Worldle | Jan 22, 2022 | Web, iOS, Android | Free | • Daily puzzle•Shape-basedguessing• Direction & distance hints• Social sharing | Casual players, brain teaser fans, travelers | One shared global puzzle per day |
Final recommendation on the 5 best GeoGuessr alternatives for map and trivia lovers
These 5 alternatives caught my attention for their unique perks and unboxed nature. They are there for different moments in geo gaming and trivia time. I want to group it this accurately:
If you want the closest thing to watching travel shows while gaming, CityGuesser delivers that cinematic experience that no other platform matches. Even GeoGuessr couldn’t.
Go with Seterra when you’re interested in learning geography rather than just being entertained. Its multilingualism and support across continents make it a place for most, if not all.
GeoHub has the soft port for community-minded players who want both social features, where they can be competitive, see rewards, and educational value in one package.
For times where social gaming with friends or newly met online geography enthusiasts proves necessary, Hide & Seek World creates the most engaging multiplayer experience. You could choose to be the hidden gem or seek it as your mood demands.
Finally, Worldle is great stuff if you don’t like things handed over to you without working for them. The quick daily guessing challenges that build geographical knowledge are thrilling and engaging.
Which would you be trying?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these alternatives cost money?
- All five offer substantial free gameplay. Seterra and Hide & Seek World have optional premium mobile features, but everything else is free.
Which works best on mobile devices?
- Worldle and Seterra have dedicated mobile apps. The others work in mobile browsers but are optimized for desktop play.
Can I play these offline?
- Most require internet connections for maps and images. Only some Seterra mobile features work offline.
What if I have a slow internet connection?
- Map-based games rely on real-time loading, so a slow connection can affect performance. Consider apps with offline features or simplified map formats for smoother play in such cases.
How accurate are the maps used in these games?
- Accuracy depends on the source data each platform uses. Most rely on Google Maps or OpenStreetMap, which are updated frequently. However, image-based clues in some games can be older, so players might notice slight differences in newer constructions or landmarks.
Are these suitable for kids?
- Absolutely! All five are educational and appropriate for children, with Seterra being especially popular among homeschooling families.
Is registration required to play?
- Most games allow guest play without registration. However, creating an account often unlocks extra features like multiplayer, leaderboards, or personalized progress tracking.