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Alternatives · Similar games

Games like Path of Exile

Want another deep, free action-RPG loot grind? These deliver satisfying combat, big skill trees and endgame to sink hundreds of hours into.

3 free picks← All free-to-play MMORPGs
By the FreeMMO Compass editorial teamReviewed: September 2026Our methodology

Path of Exile is a hard act to follow. The passive tree alone dwarfs most games' entire progression systems, and the skill-gem setup lets you build characters that barely resemble one another. Once you've wrung it dry, the trick is finding action-RPGs with real systems underneath rather than shallow lookalikes.

We look for genuine build variety, an endgame that lasts, and a fair economy. Most 'PoE-likes' simplify things; the picks here keep enough depth to matter while offering a change of pace, from full MMO raids to a quick browser session.

At a glance

GameBest forPlatformsBrowserScore
Lost ArkAction, RaidsPC—8.2
WarframeAction, Co-opPC, PlayStation, Xbox, Mobile—8.6
Drakensang OnlineARPG, BrowserPC, BrowserYes7.4

Free Path of Exile alternatives, reviewed

Ranked by how close they get — every game free to start.

#1Lost Ark cover art8.2/10

1. Lost Ark

Isometric action-MMO with spectacular raids, free to play.

Why it's like Path of Exile: Slick isometric action plus MMO raids and a mountain of endgame content, free to play.

Developer Smilegate / Amazon GamesReleased 2022Platforms PCBrowser NoModel Free to play

Lost Ark pulls off a rare trick: snappy, skill-based isometric combat welded to the kind of mechanically brutal raids you'd expect from a subscription MMO, all for free. The moment-to-moment fighting is the star. Every class feels distinct, dodging and positioning matter, and the top-down camera makes group encounters read like choreography. The eight-player Legion Raids are the payoff, wipe-heavy puzzles you slowly learn, and getting your first character there is a genuine high. Where it drops points is everything around the raids. Progression leans on running several alt characters through daily and weekly chores, which can start to feel like a second job, and the honing system's cash-shop shortcuts push harder than the games above it. Server health varies by region, too. Still, if you want cinematic action and real raid content without spending a cent to reach it, Lost Ark hands you a scale and polish most free games can't. Go in for the combat and the raids, treat the alt grind as optional, and you'll get dozens of hours out of it before the question of money ever comes up.

Lost Ark gameplay screenshot 1Lost Ark gameplay screenshot 2Lost Ark gameplay screenshot 3

Pros

  • Excellent combat & raids
  • Tons of content
  • Great class variety

Cons

  • Alt-heavy endgame
  • Honing RNG progression

Best for: Players who want spectacle: action combat plus raids

Play Lost Ark freeRead full review
#2Warframe cover art8.6/10

2. Warframe

Fast, free co-op action set across a living sci-fi solar system.

Why it's like Path of Exile: A sci-fi action-RPG with superb movement and fair, earn-it-by-playing progression.

Developer Digital ExtremesReleased 2013Platforms PC, PlayStation, Xbox, MobileBrowser NoModel Free to play

Warframe treats non-paying players better than anything else on this list, and after more than a decade of updates it's also become one of the deepest. Every frame, every weapon, every companion can be earned in-game, and the premium currency, Platinum, trades freely between players, so a patient grinder never has to open their wallet. Sitting on top of that economy is some of the best action combat online: a movement system built on bullet-jumping and sliding that turns firefights into acrobatics, plus hundreds of weapons and frames that play nothing alike. The content sprawls from tight corridor missions to open-world zones, space flight, and a story quest that catches most people off guard with how good it gets. The problem is the on-ramp. Warframe throws systems at you with almost no explanation, and the opening hours are a poor advert for what the game becomes. Get past that, ideally with a starter guide open, and you'll find a co-op action-RPG with years of runway and an economy that genuinely respects your time. Purchases mostly buy convenience, slots, cosmetics, the odd time-saver, not power you couldn't grind yourself.

Warframe gameplay screenshot 1Warframe gameplay screenshot 2Warframe gameplay screenshot 3

Pros

  • Slick, satisfying combat
  • Fair monetization
  • Huge amount of free content

Cons

  • Steep early learning curve
  • Progression can feel grindy

Best for: Action fans who want the fairest free-to-play deal

Play Warframe freeRead full review
#3Drakensang Online cover art7.4/10

3. Drakensang Online

A polished Diablo-style action-RPG that runs in the browser.

Why it's like Path of Exile: A lighter, browser-based hack-and-slash for quick loot runs with no install.

Developer BigpointReleased 2011Platforms PC, BrowserBrowser YesModel Free to play

Drakensang Online is a polished isometric action-RPG in the Diablo mould that runs right in your browser. Point-and-click hack-and-slash, skill builds, dungeons and boss fights, all without a download. For a browser title it looks genuinely good, with flashy effects and a steady drip of loot to keep you clicking. It's free to jump into, with the usual premium currency and convenience options, and there's a mobile version too. It lacks a Path of Exile's build depth, but for an instant loot fix it delivers.

Drakensang Online gameplay screenshot 1Drakensang Online gameplay screenshot 2Drakensang Online gameplay screenshot 3

Pros

  • Impressive for a browser game
  • Fast to jump into
  • Regular events

Cons

  • Endgame leans pay-to-progress
  • Repetitive over time

Best for: ARPG, Browser

Play Drakensang Online freeRead full review

How we pick these alternatives

We only list games that are genuinely free to start, still actively updated in 2026, and a real match for Path of Exile in feel — not just the same genre label. Every pick is one we'd actually recommend to a friend, ranked on gameplay, how much you get for free and fair monetization. Nothing here is a paid placement.

FAQ

What is a good free alternative to Path of Exile?

Lost Ark is the closest free action-RPG with comparable depth and endgame; Warframe is the best pick if you enjoy fast, movement-heavy combat.

Which game is most like Path of Exile?

Lost Ark is our top pick: Slick isometric action plus MMO raids and a mountain of endgame content, free to play.

Are these games really free?

Yes — every game we recommend here is free to play, with no purchase required to start. Some offer optional cosmetics, a subscription or expansions.

Can I play any of these in the browser?

Yes — Drakensang Online runs straight in your browser, no download needed.