Alternatives · Similar games

Games like Path of Exile 2

Hooked on Path of Exile 2's deep action-RPG combat and build crafting? These free ARPGs deliver the same loot-and-skill obsession — one of them made by the very same studio.

4 free picks← All free-to-play MMORPGs

By the FreeMMO Compass editorial teamReviewed: September 2026Our methodology

Path of Exile 2 raised the bar for free action-RPG combat and build depth all over again. Between its leagues, or if you just want a change, the best alternatives keep that loot-and-skill obsession going.

We weigh build freedom, endgame longevity, and fair monetisation. The original Path of Exile is the obvious companion, same studio, still free, still staggeringly deep. The others offer MMO raids, browser convenience, or a co-op spin on the same addictive gear grind. All free to start.

At a glance

Game	Best for	Platforms	Browser	Score
Path of Exile	ARPG, Seasons	PC, PlayStation, Xbox	—	8.5
Lost Ark	Action, Raids	PC	—	8.2
Drakensang Online	ARPG, Browser	PC, Browser	Yes	7.4
Warframe	Action, Co-op	PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Mobile	—	8.6

Free Path of Exile 2 alternatives, reviewed

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

8.5/10

1. Path of Exile

The deepest free action-RPG loot grind there is.

Why it's like Path of Exile 2: The original — still free, still the deepest build sandbox in the genre while you wait between PoE 2 leagues.

Developer Grinding Gear GamesReleased 2013Platforms PC, PlayStation, XboxBrowser NoModel Free to play

If your idea of fun involves spreadsheets, a passive tree the size of a galaxy, and gutting your build around one lucky drop, Path of Exile is your game. It's the deepest action-RPG going. The skill-gem system lets you socket and link abilities in combinations nothing else matches, and the passive tree supports characters that barely resemble one another. Every few months a new league resets the economy and bolts on fresh mechanics, which is why the endgame has stayed alive for years and why lapsed players get a clean slate to return to. The monetisation is where it really earns trust: the shop sells cosmetics and stash tabs, never power, so you win on knowledge and grind instead of spending. Two honest warnings. The learning curve is a wall, and the game won't stop you building a character that simply can't finish the campaign. Trading is clunky, and while stash tabs are cheap, serious play more or less expects you to buy a few. For anyone who wants a loot game with real, bottomless depth and nothing meaningful behind a paywall, though, nothing else comes close.

Pros

Incredible build depth
Ethical monetization
Regular free content leagues

Cons

Overwhelming for newcomers
Stash-tab quality-of-life costs money

Best for: Theorycrafters chasing the deepest action-RPG

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8.2/10

2. Lost Ark

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

Why it's like Path of Exile 2: Isometric action-RPG combat with full MMO raids, 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.

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

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7.4/10

3. Drakensang Online

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

Why it's like Path of Exile 2: A polished browser action-RPG for a quick free loot fix, no download.

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.

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

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8.6/10

4. Warframe

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

Why it's like Path of Exile 2: Different setting, same loot-and-build addiction — free co-op action.

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.

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

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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 2 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 free game like Path of Exile 2?

Path of Exile (the free original) is the obvious pick for deep builds and loot; Lost Ark is the best free choice if you also want MMO raids.

Which game is most like Path of Exile 2?

Path of Exile is our top pick: The original — still free, still the deepest build sandbox in the genre while you wait between PoE 2 leagues.

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.