Best Racing Games for Android

Mobile racing games are the perfect way to feel the rush of the track without leaving your couch — and they can be just as great as racing games on PC. Whether you’re craving heart-pounding car chases or smooth, precision drifting, there’s a game out there for every type of racer. 

The best part? You don’t need a fancy console or hours of free time to enjoy them. Just fire up your phone, and you’re good to go!

But not all racing games are created equal. Some have clunky controls, endless ads, or just feel like a money grab. So, if you’re looking to race in style without the frustration, I’ve rounded up the best mobile racing games that deliver smooth gameplay, awesome graphics, and just the right amount of challenge. 

No gimmicks, no nonsense—just pure racing fun. Let’s dive in!

1. Asphalt 9: Legends

Asphalt 9: Legends is one of the most exciting and visually stunning racing games you can play on mobile. 

If you’re into high-speed thrills and jaw-dropping graphics, this is the game for you. It features an epic collection of real-world cars, from Lamborghinis to Ferraris, and lets you race through beautifully crafted tracks in locations like the streets of San Francisco or the hills of the Himalayas.

The game’s controls are easy to pick up, even for beginners, but don’t let that fool you—Asphalt 9 offers a real challenge as you progress. You can boost, drift, and perform stunts to rack up points and earn rewards, making it a great blend of speed and strategy. 

Plus, the multiplayer mode lets you race against friends or players around the world.

However, the game offers in-app purchases for things like car upgrades, blueprints, and tokens, which can speed up progress if you’re willing to spend real money. You can unlock cars and upgrades through gameplay, but this often involves a grind, especially early on. Tokens are rewarded through races, but if you’re in a rush, you can buy more directly or watch ads to earn small rewards. 

Fortunately, none of it’s overwhelming so you should have no trouble still enjoying the game. 

2. Horizon Chase World Tour

Horizon Chase World Tour is a fantastic mobile racing game, offering vibrant, retro-inspired tracks that take you on a globetrotting adventure. 

While the game has a lot to offer in terms of speed and style, it’s also pretty considerate when it comes to monetization. The game is free to play, but it doesn’t overwhelm you with excessive ads or constant cash grab mechanics. 

While there are some optional ads you can watch for in-game rewards, they aren’t intrusive, and the game’s progression system is designed in such a way that you’re not constantly pressured to spend real money.

Players can unlock new content through gameplay, including tracks and cars, without feeling like they hit a paywall. However, for those who want to speed up progress or access exclusive content, there are in-app purchases available. But overall, the game maintains a good balance between free-to-play enjoyment and paid extras, ensuring it doesn’t feel like a cash grab.

​3. Real Racing 3

Real Racing 3 offers a compelling racing experience with impressive graphics and a huge selection of cars and tracks. 

However, its freemium model might be too monetized. While the game is free to play, it includes a variety of in-app purchases and time-gated features that may require you to spend money if you want to progress more quickly. For example, repairing cars after races can take real-world time, which can be bypassed with currency, either earned slowly or bought with real money.

The game’s progression system also encourages spending through the acquisition of new cars and upgrades, with some vehicles being difficult to obtain without spending cash. 

Though it is possible to play without spending, you’ll need patience to grind through races, as earning enough in-game currency to buy high-end cars or progress to tougher levels can be very slow. This makes Real Racing 3 feel like a game that tests your commitment and patience, often nudging you to pay to avoid long waits or slow progression.

4. GRID Autosport 

GRID Autosport is a premium racing game that delivers a console-quality experience on mobile devices, offering a wide variety of cars, tracks, and racing modes. 

One of the standout features is its complete lack of in-app purchases, ads, or grind. All of the content is available upfront for a one-time purchase, so you won’t be bombarded by pop-ups or pushed to buy virtual items to progress. 

However, it can be demanding on your device, and while it offers an incredible visual experience, it can drain battery life quickly, especially during longer sessions. 

But overall, the lack of intrusive monetization and the game’s solid performance make it a great pick for those who prefer a traditional, premium racing game without the hassle of ads or constant cash grabs.

5. Need for Speed No Limits

Need for Speed No Limits offers an exciting, fast-paced racing experience with great visuals and plenty of customization options for your cars. It has a solid progression system where you can upgrade vehicles, unlock new rides, and race in a variety of events. I really liked the easy-to-learn controls and the thrill of drifting and boosting through tight corners.

However, the game’s monetization model can sometimes get in the way of the fun. While it’s free to download, many elements of the game rely heavily on time-gated mechanics, like fuel, event tickets, and car repairs. 

These timers can feel restrictive, especially during special events, where players must either wait for resources to regenerate or spend real money to bypass these delays. Gold, the premium currency, is difficult to earn through regular gameplay, and while you can grind for it, many players find themselves tempted to buy Gold to speed up progress.

That said, Need for Speed No Limits still delivers an engaging racing experience, and if you’re patient and strategic, you can avoid spending money. The thrill of unlocking new cars and participating in unique events like special races with exclusive rewards can be worth the grind. 

6. Wreckfest Mobile 

Wreckfest Mobile brings the exciting, car-crashing action of its console counterpart to your phone with impressive results. You get all the high-speed mayhem, realistic vehicle damage, and customization options that made the original game a hit. 

There’s a full career mode, tournaments, and even replays, which make it feel like a proper port rather than a watered-down version. It’s surprisingly smooth, with great graphics and responsive controls, especially if you use a Bluetooth controller.

One of the standout features of Wreckfest Mobile is its price model. Unlike many mobile games that bombard you with ads or push microtransactions, Wreckfest has a “buy-to-play” approach, meaning you pay once and enjoy the game without interruptions. 

While there are optional DLC packs available for additional cars and content, there are no intrusive ads or in-app purchases that force you to spend money to progress.

7. Mario Kart Tour

Mario Kart Tour brings the iconic racing franchise to mobile, offering a fun, casual experience that can be enjoyed on the go. The controls are simple, with a focus on swiping and tapping to steer your kart, while automatic acceleration lets you concentrate on collecting items and dodging obstacles. 

The game also introduces a variety of characters, karts, and tracks, with rotating cups and challenges that keep the gameplay fresh.

However, like many mobile games, Mario Kart Tour does come with some frustrations. The monetization system is highly aggressive, with a lot of content locked behind paywalls, including new characters and upgrades. The game uses a “gacha” mechanic where players spend rubies to unlock random rewards, making it feel like a pay-to-win setup at times. 

Despite these drawbacks, Mario Kart Tour still delivers the fun and chaotic racing the series is known for, making it a good choice for casual players.

Some More Great Racing Games for Mobile: Free & Ad-Free (Mostly)

• Hill Climb Racing 2: Known for its fun and quirky physics, Hill Climb Racing 2 lets you race in various vehicles and environments. While the game does have some in-app purchases, they aren’t as intrusive, and you can enjoy the core experience without being bombarded by ads​.
• Beach Buggy Racing: This arcade-style racing game is another free-to-play option with lots of fun tracks and vehicles. While it includes microtransactions, they are mostly cosmetic, and the game doesn’t overwhelm you with ads. 
• Assoluto Racing: A more realistic racing game with detailed car customization and physics, Assoluto Racing offers a solid free experience with minimal ads. It does have in-app purchases for car upgrades and cosmetics, but the ads are few and far between​
• CSR Racing 2: While CSR Racing 2 is a drag racing game that does have in-app purchases for faster progression, it allows for plenty of play without needing to spend money. You can enjoy its mechanics and upgrade system without being constantly interrupted by ads. 

What are the best mobile racing games for kids?

Games like Mario Kart Tour and Beach Buggy Racing 2 are excellent for your children to play alone or if you want a fun, lighthearted racing game to play together. These games feature colorful characters, fun power-ups, and family-friendly gameplay. They’re also not aggressive with ads and monetization, so your kid won’t accidentally spend tons of money or enter a new ad every few minutes. 

Are there any offline mobile racing games? 

Yes, there are! Offline games are perfect for playing on the go, especially in situations where you don’t have access to Wi-Fi or mobile data, such as during commutes or travel. Titles like Rebel Racing and Hill Climb Racing 2 allow you to enjoy the action without needing an internet connection.

Most games do have an offline mode, it just depends on how solid it is. For example, if you’re looking for an offline mobile racing game, I wouldn’t recommend Need For Speed No Limits. You can try playing Asphalt 9: Legends, and it should be good for a while, but you’ll miss out on some achievements and other elements. 

Are there any free mobile racing games with no ads?

Yes, there are a few free mobile racing games that do not rely on ads or excessive monetization tactics. Here are some worth checking out:

1. Asphalt Xtreme (Netflix Edition) – This off-road racing game is available through a partnership with Netflix, meaning it’s completely free of ads and in-app purchases. It offers stunning graphics, a variety of off-road vehicles, and beautiful landscapes, all without the interruptions of ads. 
2. Death Rally – This classic-style racing game has a unique twist with combat, featuring weapons like missiles and lasers. It offers an enjoyable offline experience with no ads or in-app purchases. It’s a fun, fast-paced game with great graphics, especially for older phones.
3. Beach Buggy Racing – Combining fun, Mario Kart-like gameplay with beautiful beach and forest environments, this game allows you to race with buggies and use power-ups. It’s free to play and does not have ads, making it a great choice for casual racers.
4. 4×4 Jam HD – An off-road game that doesn’t rely on internet connection, and it also doesn’t feature in-app purchases or ads. It offers a more open-world experience where you race across diverse terrains.

Which mobile racing games have the best graphics?

If you’re looking for mobile racing games with exceptional graphics, your best bet are these three: 

• Asphalt 9: Legends
• Real Racing 3
• Wreckfest Mobile