Looking for an online Monopoly alternative?
What feels familiar
The heart of the game is the property trading board game loop many people grew up with. You roll two dice, move round a square board, buy the properties you land on and charge rent to anyone who lands on yours. Finish a set and you can build houses, then hotels. Trading is where games are won and lost, and the last player who isn't bankrupt wins.
What's different
- It's built for playing online. Turns are quick, the game does the maths, rent is paid automatically and a turn timer keeps things moving. If someone drops out, their seat is held and a bot can take over.
- Its own boards. The main board is Australian, from Alice Springs to Point Piper, with airports and a Lock-up instead of anything you'd recognise from elsewhere. World Tour, Melbourne, Sydney and Road Trip Oz boards come with Plus.
- Its own cards. Lucky Cards and Treasure Cards, plus an optional Chaos mode where the Lucky Cards turn into gambles (pokies, a prize wheel, coin tosses) and Treasure Cards give you perks like a golden key that skips your next rent.
- Its own rules where it counts. Land exactly on Start for $300. Unwanted properties go to a quick live auction. Go into debt and you have to trade or mortgage your way back to $0 before you roll again. Bankruptcy hands everything back to the bank, so nobody gets a windfall from someone else's crash.
- Open trading. Everyone at the table can see the offers being made, which keeps deals honest and makes the table talk.
The full rules are in how to play Mates Rates.
Who it's for
Friends who want a board game night without being in the same room, families spread across cities, and anyone who wants a quick online property game against real people or bots. It works on phones, so nobody has to find a laptop. If you want the wider picture, read about Mates Rates as a free online property game.
Questions
Is Mates Rates Monopoly?
No. Mates Rates is an independent property trading board game with its own boards, cards and rules. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or associated with Hasbro or the MONOPOLY brand.
Is Mates Rates free to play?
Yes. The Australia board, Chaos mode, bots, trading and games of up to 6 players are free. Mates Rates Plus is optional and adds extra boards, the 3D table and games of up to 10.
Do I need to download anything?
No. It runs in your web browser on a computer, tablet or phone. There is nothing to install, and you can play as a guest without an account.
Can I play with friends?
Yes. Create a private game and send your friends the invite link. Here's how, step by step.
Does it have a 3D board?
Yes, with Plus. Everyone else plays on the flat board, which has exactly the same game.
Mates Rates is an independent game and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or associated with Hasbro or the MONOPOLY brand. MONOPOLY is a trademark of its owner, used here only to describe the kind of game you might be looking for.