P2E Game Comparison Calculator
Find Your Perfect P2E Game
Select your criteria to see which games match your needs. The tool compares key metrics like earnings potential, upfront costs, and requirements.
Select Your Criteria
Axie Infinity
Illuvium
The Sandbox
Splinterlands
Gods Unchained
Hourly Earnings Calculator
Calculate your potential hourly earnings based on your weekly playtime and estimated daily earnings.
Play-to-earn NFT games arenât just hype anymore - theyâre real games with real rewards
In 2025, the best play-to-earn (P2E) NFT games have moved past the get-rich-quick scams of 2021. Players arenât just buying NFTs to flip them. Theyâre playing actual games - deep, strategic, visually impressive ones - and earning crypto in the process. The market is now worth over $32 billion, with 1.2 million people logging into Axie Infinity every day. This isnât a side hustle for crypto bros anymore. Itâs a global gaming trend with real infrastructure, regulated markets, and players who treat it like a job.
Axie Infinity: Still the king, but now itâs about strategy, not just farming
Axie Infinity isnât just surviving - itâs evolving. After its Origin 2.0 update in October 2025, the game added land-based resource management and real-time strategy elements. Now, youâre not just battling Axies in turn-based fights. Youâre managing farms, harvesting resources, and upgrading your land to boost token rewards. Daily active users jumped 37% after the update, proving that players want depth, not just payouts.
But hereâs the catch: you still need to spend $150-$200 upfront to get a competitive team of three Axies. Thatâs not a barrier for everyone, but itâs enough to keep casual players out. If youâre serious about earning, youâll need to invest 8-10 hours learning battle mechanics, team synergies, and market trends. The community is huge - over 347,000 members in their Discord - and resources like Axie University help newcomers get up to speed. But profitability drops fast if you donât play smart. 68% of negative reviews mention losing money after the initial investment.
Illuvium: The AAA blockchain game that finally feels like a real video game
If youâve ever thought blockchain games look like pixel art from 2017, Illuvium will change your mind. Built with Unity and Vulkan rendering, itâs a fully 3D open-world RPG where you capture monster-like creatures called Illuvials, battle in arenas, and explore vast landscapes. IGN gave it a 4.7/5 for graphics and gameplay - higher than most mainstream AAA titles last year.
But itâs not for everyone. You need an NVIDIA RTX 3060 or AMD RX 6700 XT to run it smoothly at 1080p. Itâs not browser-based. You canât play it on your phone. This is a PC game designed for gamers who care about visuals and controls. Earnings come from winning tournaments, selling Illuvials as NFTs, and staking ILV tokens. The tokenomics are better too - it uses a dual-token system (ILV for governance, sILV for in-game rewards) to prevent inflation. Experts call it the new standard for blockchain gaming. If you want to play a game that feels like Cyberpunk 2077 but lets you own your gear, this is it.
The Sandbox: Where players become creators - and earn from their creations
The Sandbox doesnât just let you play. It lets you build. Using VoxEdit 3.0, you can create 3D assets like weapons, clothing, or even entire levels, then sell them on the marketplace. Your creations become NFTs, and you earn SAND tokens every time someone buys or rents them. In September 2025, creators earned an average of $347.50 per month from LAND rentals and asset sales alone.
The learning curve is gentle. 92% of new users can make a basic asset in under two hours. No coding needed. Just drag, drop, and design. It works on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and even Meta Quest 3 VR headsets. But hereâs the downside: the actual gameplay is shallow. Most players donât care about the RPG mechanics - they care about building and selling. If youâre an artist, designer, or content creator, this is your goldmine. If you just want to grind battles for cash, look elsewhere.
Splinterlands: The easiest way to earn without spending a dime
Splinterlands is the only major P2E game thatâs truly free to play. No upfront cost. No NFT purchase needed. You start with a free starter deck and can earn DEC and SPS tokens just by winning matches. Itâs a digital card game - think Hearthstone meets Magic: The Gathering - with deep strategy, 120+ cards, and weekly tournaments.
On average, players earn $12.40 per day, according to DappRadarâs October 2025 report. Thatâs less than Axie Infinity, but you donât need to spend $200 to get started. The game runs in your browser - no download required. Itâs fast, stable, and processes 12,000 transactions per minute during peak hours. Players love the card combos and consistent rewards. But thereâs a catch: late-game progression leans into pay-to-win. If you want top-tier cards, youâll eventually need to buy them. Still, for beginners or low-budget players, itâs the most accessible P2E game in 2025.
Gods Unchained: The only true free-to-play competitive card game
Gods Unchained is the only major P2E game where you can play at a pro level without spending a cent. Developed by the team behind Hearthstone, itâs a balanced, skill-based card game where every card you earn through play is yours to keep, trade, or sell as an NFT. No paywalls. No pay-to-win mechanics. Your deck wins - not your wallet.
Top players earn around $8.20 per day on average - less than Axie or Splinterlands - but they do it without spending a dime. The game has 24/7 live chat support, with 89% of issues resolved in under two hours. Documentation is clear, and the community is tight-knit. Itâs not flashy. No 3D graphics. No virtual worlds. Just pure card strategy. If you want to compete in tournaments, climb rankings, and earn crypto just by being good - not rich - this is your game.
Bomb Crypto and My Neighbor Alice: Niche picks with loyal fans
Bomb Crypto still has 87,000 daily transactions and 247,000 active users. Itâs a pixel-art game where you send heroes on missions to collect bombs and earn BCOIN. Itâs simple, addictive, and easy to pick up. But its visuals limit growth. Most players stick because itâs familiar, not because itâs the best. And 53% of negative feedback points to pressure to buy legendary heroes - a common trap in P2E.
My Neighbor Alice is the family-friendly option. You build a farm, collect animals, and trade items with friends. Itâs cute, calm, and great for younger players or those who want low-stress gameplay. But its economy is tiny. The ALICE tokenâs market cap is just $147 million, compared to $2.3 billion for SAND and $1.8 billion for AXS. Earnings are modest, and liquidity is low. Itâs a nice side project, but donât count on it as income.
Whatâs really changing in 2025 - and what still doesnât work
The biggest shift? Game quality now matters more than token price. In 2021, people bought NFTs hoping the price would go up. Today, they buy because the game is fun. Platforms like Illuvium and Gods Unchained are winning because theyâre good games first, crypto projects second.
But risks remain. Dr. Michael Zavada from MIT found that 57% of P2E token economies are still vulnerable to collapse. Many games print too many tokens without burning them. Only 3 of the top 10 platforms have solid deflationary systems. That means your earnings could drop overnight if the economy crashes.
Also, avoid games that promise $100/day with no effort. They donât exist. Even the best games require time, skill, and sometimes money. The winners in 2025 are players who treat this like a job - not a lottery.
How to start in 2025 - without losing your money
- Start free: Try Gods Unchained or Splinterlands first. No upfront cost. See if you like the gameplay.
- Donât buy NFTs on day one: Wait until you understand the gameâs economy. Watch how token prices move over weeks.
- Use a dedicated wallet: Trust Wallet or MetaMask. Never use an exchange wallet for gaming - you lose control of your NFTs.
- Join the Discord: Every major game has a community. Learn from experienced players. Ask questions. Avoid scams.
- Track your time: If youâre spending 10 hours a week to earn $15, is it worth it? Calculate your hourly rate. If itâs less than minimum wage, rethink your strategy.
Final verdict: What to play in 2025
If you want the best experience: Illuvium. Itâs the only blockchain game that matches AAA standards.
If you want to earn without spending: Gods Unchained or Splinterlands.
If youâre a creator: The Sandbox. Build, sell, and earn.
If youâre willing to invest and play hard: Axie Infinity. Itâs still the most profitable - if you do the work.
Everything else? Watch it. Donât jump in yet. The market is still maturing. Play the games. Donât gamble on them.
Can you really make money playing P2E NFT games in 2025?
Yes, but not like a get-rich-quick scheme. Top players earn $10-$30 per day on average, mostly by playing well, not by buying expensive NFTs. Games like Splinterlands and Gods Unchained let you earn without spending upfront. But profitability depends on time, skill, and understanding the gameâs economy. Most people lose money by chasing hype instead of playing smart.
Do you need to buy NFTs to play P2E games?
Not always. Gods Unchained and Splinterlands let you start for free with basic decks. But to compete at the highest levels or maximize earnings, youâll eventually need to buy better cards or characters. Axie Infinity and The Sandbox require upfront NFT purchases. Always try the free version first before spending money.
Are P2E games legal in 2025?
Yes, in most countries. As of October 2025, 67 countries have clear regulations for blockchain gaming. The EUâs MiCA rules and the USâs Digital Asset Market Structure Act provide legal clarity. But tax rules vary. Earnings are usually treated as income or capital gains. Keep records of your trades and earnings. Consult a local tax advisor if youâre earning regularly.
Whatâs the best P2E game for beginners?
Splinterlands is the best for beginners. Itâs browser-based, free to start, and has a gentle learning curve. You can earn real crypto without buying NFTs. The game is easy to understand, and the community is helpful. Once you get comfortable, you can explore more complex games like Illuvium or The Sandbox.
Why did P2E games fail in 2022 and succeed in 2025?
In 2022, most P2E games were built on speculation. Players bought NFTs hoping prices would rise, not because the games were fun. When crypto prices dropped, the economies collapsed. In 2025, the best games focus on gameplay first. Illuvium, Gods Unchained, and Splinterlands offer deep mechanics, balanced economies, and real entertainment. Players stay because they enjoy playing - not because theyâre chasing tokens.
Can you play P2E games on a phone?
Some can, some canât. Axie Infinity, Splinterlands, Bomb Crypto, and My Neighbor Alice work on Android and iOS. But Illuvium and The Sandbox require a powerful PC or VR headset. If you want mobile-only play, stick to Splinterlands or Axie Infinity. Just make sure your device meets the minimum specs - Android 8.0+ or iOS 13.0+ with at least 3GB RAM.
Whatâs the biggest risk in P2E gaming today?
The biggest risk is token inflation. Many games print too many in-game tokens without burning them, causing their value to drop. Only 3 of the top 10 games have strong deflationary systems. If you invest in a game with a weak economy, your earnings could vanish overnight. Always research the tokenomics before spending money.
What to play next
Once youâve tried the top games, look into Sunflower Land - it uses AI to generate new content daily, keeping players engaged. Or check out Big Time, which lets you earn physical merchandise like NFT-linked sneakers. These are the next wave: games that blend digital rewards with real-world value.
But remember: play for fun first. If youâre not enjoying it, the crypto wonât save you.
Savan Prajapati
lol free to play my ass. you think splinterlands is easy? try climbing ranked without spending. i've seen guys grind 12hrs a day for $8. this ain't a game, it's a job with no benefits.
Christina Oneviane
oh sweetie, you really believe this 'game quality matters now' crap? the only thing that matters is whether your wallet gets fatter. if you're not dumping your crypto into NFTs, you're already losing.
Eddy Lust
i just wanna chill and collect cute little pixel cats in bomb crypto đ honestly tho, after seeing my cousin lose $500 on axie, i'm just here for the vibes. no stress, no loans, just vibes.
Casey Meehan
ILLUVIUM IS THE FUTURE đđĽ 10/10 graphics, 10/10 gameplay, 10/10 tokenomics. if you're not playing this, you're not gaming. period. đ¤đŽđ
Susan Dugan
if you're starting out, just go with splinterlands. no cap. i made $200 last month just playing 1hr a day after work. the deckbuilding is legit addictive. you don't need to buy anything to have fun. trust me, i was skeptical too.
fanny adam
the real danger isn't token inflation-it's the centralized servers. every 'decentralized' game still runs on AWS or Google Cloud. your NFTs are only as safe as the company's payroll. they could shut it down tomorrow and you'd be left with digital dust.
Janice Jose
i get why people hate the upfront cost, but if you think you can earn $30/day without investing time or money, you're living in a fantasy. this isn't tiktok. it's a skill-based economy. respect the grind.
Tom MacDermott
illuvium? please. it's just a graphics demo with a crypto sticker slapped on it. real gamers play counter-strike or dota. this is just rich kids pretending they're in the metaverse. đ¤Ą
Felicia Sue Lynn
the evolution from 2021 to 2025 reflects a broader cultural shift: from speculation to substance. this isn't merely about money-it's about ownership, agency, and redefining value in digital spaces. we are witnessing the birth of a new creative class.
Abby cant tell ya
you all sound like you're trying to convince yourselves this isn't a pyramid scheme. i lost $800 on axie. now i'm 'investing' in a farm simulator where i collect digital chickens. i'm not even mad. i'm just... tired.
Vance Ashby
i tried gods unchained. 2 weeks. 0 earnings. turned out i'm just bad at card games. maybe i should've stuck with farming sims. đ¤ˇââď¸
Martin Doyle
if you're not playing illuvium, you're not playing. period. the rest are glorified flash games. why waste your time on splinterlands when you can have a 3d open world with dynamic AI monsters? come on.
Sam Daily
just started sandbox last week and made my first NFT-a floating taco with sunglasses đŽđ sold it for 0.25 ETH. i didn't even know how to use blender before. if i can do it, you can. go create something weird. the market loves weird.
Grace Zelda
i don't care if it's 'good gameplay' or 'tokenomics'-what matters is if it makes me feel alive. splinterlands gives me that rush. gods unchained feels like chess with soul. if a game doesn't make you forget the clock, it's just another app.
Kristi Malicsi
why do people keep saying you need to invest money when gods unchained literally gives you cards for winning matches i mean why even talk about it if you dont play it right
Sierra Myers
you think illuvium is the future? wait till the next bear market hits. all these 'AAA blockchain games' will crash harder than crypto in 2022. they're all built on sand. literally.
Rachel Thomas
everyone's obsessed with earning. nobody cares about the fun anymore. i used to love card games. now every discord is just 'how much did you make today?' ugh. i'm done.
Ian Esche
if you're not american, you're not getting paid fairly. these games are designed for the west. the token payouts? skewed. the servers? all in the US. the devs? mostly american. you think you're playing a global game? you're just a data point.