Subway Surfers review

Subway Surfers is ninth because it is the purest pick-up-and-play game on the list but has the least depth. You swipe to dodge oncoming trains, grind rails and ride hoverboards while escaping the Guard and his dog, and each run lasts as long as your reflexes. SYBO refreshes the game with new world tours, most recently the Shenzhen Showdown, along with challenges that award outfits and boards. Game Center leaderboards let you compare scores with friends. It is an Apple Editors' Choice with a 4.6 rating from 3.9 million ratings and shows 1B+ downloads on Google Play. The US listing notes advertising and loot boxes, and many characters and boards come in paid bundles, with coin packs from $0.99. If you want a game to fill a two minute wait, this is it; if you want goals that last weeks, pick something higher on the list. We compared documented features and published prices.

Who it is for

Anyone who wants a quick one-thumb game for short waits.

Price

Free to play; coin packs start at $0.99 on the US App Store.

7,500 Coins $0.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Swipe to dodge trains, grind rails and jump
• Hoverboards and a paint-powered jetpack
• Seasonal world updates such as the Shenzhen Showdown
• Challenges and limited events that award outfits and boards
• Game Center leaderboards and achievements

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The easiest game on the list to start
• Strength: Runs are short, so it fits any break
• Strength: Apple Editors' Choice
• Weakness: The App Store listing notes advertising and loot boxes
• Weakness: Little long-term depth
• Weakness: Many characters and boards are sold in bundles

Key facts

• App Store rating: 4.6 from 3.9M ratings
• Google Play downloads: 1B+
• Age rating: 9+
• Requires: iOS 15.0 or later
• App size: 413.6 MB

Where it ranks

Subway Surfers is No. 9 in our Best Free Game Apps verdict.