Top 25 best tower defence games for Android phones and tablets

Kingdom Rush, along with its three follow-ups, is the pinnacle of tower defence. It's all thanks to a near-perfect combination of tight unit balance, intuitive controls, inventive and challenging level design, and a knock-out comic book aesthetic.

We praised it in our Kingdom Rush review too, and rightfully so. It's been a while since a timeless classic such as Kingdom Rush has delighted us with its presence. And for those wondering, despite its rather cartoony approach, it provides a considerable challenge.

The levels get difficult at just about the right time, and the units you use will require constant maintenance. It's absolutely perfect. We know that picking the right hero can turn the whole game around, so we have decided to help you pick the best hero for each Kingdom Rush game.

Bad North is a unique combination of real-time strategy and roguelike, but it's the distinct tower defence flavour we're interested in. Develop and position your troops to defend a series of besieged islands, all while screaming bloody murder.

Its unique approach will fascinate those in love with Norse mythology (kinda) for the exciting, yet minimal in-detail Viking battles. We even have a few tips if you want to play Bad North! So make sure to check that out in case you're wondering how to beat the soul out of those trying to take your land.

You might think of it as an inherently limiting genre, applying a rigid framework to the strategy. But Dungeon Warfare 2 is a sprawling effort that has you constructing complete deadly dungeons. It's unique in that approach, but it's also extremely exciting with its fast-paced skirmishes.

What's even more, we believe that its pixelated, retro approach only works wonders for Dungeon Warfare 2. It's one of the best tower defence games for Android, that's for sure. If you're thinking about giving it a shot, make sure to expect more than your typical linear TD - you should be prepared to smash opponents left and right, take part in chaotic and swift battles, and make last-second decisions. Overall, it's intense but oh-so rewarding!

Probably the most popular paid tower defence game on Android in the last year or two. Being priced at just 5 dollars/euros/pounds, Bloons TD 6 will probably live up to all of your expectations. Namely, you'll employ monkeys as towers but fear not. These are not your everyday chimps, hitting you with rocks and dung, these are well-trained, special force monkeys ready to put a Rambo to shame with the firepower they can dish out.

Besides that, the action in the later levels is pretty frenetic, and if you blink too much, you might miss it. At the moment, there are over 20 monkeys to pick from, and each has three different upgrade paths, making it pretty vast and tough to handle, especially during the later stages. On top of that, you'll have to pick heroes. To give you a hand, you can study our BTD6 hero tier list, which is regularly updated.

Being an offline title in a single player, and the fact that you can join co-op multiplayer at any time makes it a darn fine Android tower defence, even in 2024.

Is there something more genre-defining than Plants vs Zombies? We highly doubt that! In this much-beloved sequel, PvZ 2 created an even more bonkers game. Just like the first one, you'll have to defend your base from shuffling zombies by positioning unique plants that spit, gobble, and explode in various ingenious ways.

We were not completely impressed with the way IAPs were introduced in the sequel, but still, it remains one of the all-time best tower defence games Android has to offer. Just check out our Plants vs Zombies 2 review if you haven't given this one a shot yet. We firmly believe that it remains a breath of fresh air.

You'd think we'd be tired of the Kingdom Rush formula by now, but we're not. This fourth slice of classic TD flips the script and places you in control of the original's big bad and his demonic forces. You could say that this one is true to the formula of tower defence games!

There is also a review if you're curious to learn more about this stunning game - we're truly happy with how it plays, but maybe you'd prefer the original if you prefer playing a good guy story. Regardless, these are the best towers for Kingdom Rush Vengeance. Picking the right tower is crucial after all, so it's a bit like a cheat sheet.

Clash of Clans mixes tower defence with strategy, base building, and resource management. It's a hybrid, then, and an unusually influential one at that. You have to position each one of your buildings in such a way that enemies will have a really hard time getting to your Town Hall (the most important building on the board).

You simply cannot overlook this highly beloved mash of genres - it's a pioneer in the sense that it sparked several games to follow the same alluring approach, and that really means something. If you haven't played a round of Clash of Clans yet, you're missing out.

There is a detailed explanation of how to get free gems in Clash of Clans and the collection of guides we've created though. They're sure to help you get off to a good start and better understand how to best defend your base and smash your opponents.

Did you ever picture a meme game, where each tower is unique, upgradeable, and the levels are ever-changing? No? Then you must try Epic Monster TD.

Featuring unique characters, such as doggo and some other... rather interesting ones (you'll see what I mean when you start playing) you'll have to position them accordingly, upgrade them, and fight your way through ever-increasing hordes of monsters.

The best part though is the prestige system, which allows you to start over the second you cannot make any more progress. That will reward you with some additional currency you can use to either make upgrades or unlock towers. And since there is a gacha element in Epic Monster, you should also know that the rates are actually pretty good! That's rare coming from a free-to-play game.

A game with classical war elements is something that both looks and feels good. Especially when it comes in such a realistic form. If you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but you're in love with the idea of it, then know that it's much better once you get a hands-on approach.

In Defense Zone 3 HD, you'll have realistically-looking towers that one might find in a military base, flamethrowing ones and even air skirmishes in the form of skills meant to give you a helping hand when things get tough. You'll try to stop enemy waves of tanks, infantry and airplanes, but you'll also have a nice set of weapons, so don't worry.

Four Kingdom Rush games, all playing more or less the same - that's a bit much, isn't it? It would be, except for the fact that they all play so much better than almost all of their rivals. This means all four well deserved their spot among the best tower defence games for Android!

In this third entry in the franchise, you'll lead an army of elves, along with the forces of nature. You'll have (somewhat) scary ents, and bears. Enemy forces are well-designed, and they will poke your curiosity each time a new one appears.

You can read our Kingdom Rush Origins review if you're eager to learn more about this original approach to TDs.

2112TD is an Android tower defence game, but it pays tribute to RTS classics like Starcraft and C&C, with an isometric perspective and more involved unit management.

It can really take you back to the good ol' days when a much simpler approach was the norm, so if that's something you would like from your TD, make sure to give this one a shot. The space theme and post-apocalyptic futuristic approach only make it that much more appealing.

You'll also find that each game mode feels completely different, with the Campaign being so much more exciting than what you meet in the contemporary tower defence games. It's brilliant.

Mindustry is an Android tower defence and strategy game where you have to extract resources, build factories and defences, and fight for survival.

You play as a ship that is responsible for building, taking care of the base, and protecting the assembly lines. The goal of Mindustry is to extract resources using special blocks that will be attached to other blocks using transport lines to process them and deliver them to the core, which will develop your base, assembly line, as well as combat power and defensive ability. The game includes both single-player (campaign and custom play) and cross-platform multiplayer.

This minimalistic geometric Android tower defence game is like no other. Actually, it only resembles the first Infinitode, which started it all. It's a unique game where geometric shapes are what sets things in motion, and your goal is to place, adjust and upgrade them enough to take out those pesky circles and squares.

If one title has managed to impress us through sheer creativity, it's this one. Infinitode 2 will give you a challenge, and some of the levels are complicated enough to impress even an avid gamer. If you are a fan of the first Infinitode, part two won't disappoint!

Like Royal Revolt, the Anomaly games turn TD on its head. Here you're in direct control of the attacking swarm that's running the gauntlet through your enemy's static defences. The resulting fireworks are spectacular.

In what seems like one of the best tower defence games Android has to offer, Anomaly 2 is a premium title worth adding to your collection. Check it out if you love deeply tactical games, online multiplayer, and some unique, state-of-the-art visuals.

Don't believe that? Then you should read our complete Anomaly 2 review!

Grow Castle - Tower Defense is a free-to-play strategy with (oh no) tower defence mechanics, available for an audience over 13 years old.

In Grow Castle, you need to turn a small tower with defenders into a huge fortress and fight against thousands of enemies! You have to build walls and loopholes, summon heroes, legendary commanders, and a regular army of infantry and archers. It will be an incredibly intense battle in which you will test your strength and luck!

It is a beautiful tower defence game with many unique elements for its genre. You will have to protect your castle from many different enemies and dangerous bosses. To defend your kingdom from evil, you can use four types of towers and 11 powerful characters, each with its own abilities and skills. Moreover, you can upgrade your characters with various runes to ensure victory.

There are over 120 exciting levels where you will have to show your strategy and management skills. There are also 100+ achievements to unlock for all of the completionists out there. Think you can get all of them? Good luck with that! We know that it looks like another franchise on this list, but it's good we couldn't skip it. Most importantly, you can play it offline!

Now this TD has taken over the mobile world, and without too much fuss. It's one of the latest additions to the genre and different from most other titles because your towers are heroes that can be upgraded, and leveled up. What's more interesting is that there are over 100 of them, and they belong to different races and factions.

Of course, we have sorted all of them in our tier list for Watcher of Realms, so it's a useful resource if you start playing it. There are artefacts that you can collect, and equip to one of those heroes, which gives it even more depth.

The gameplay is quite interesting, as enemies can fight back and you'll have to be careful about placing your heroes/towers. Glass cannons will have to be in the back, and brawlers up front. Other than that, we have to praise the graphics of WoR, as heroes are very detailed and frankly, you could easily mix it up with a PC title.

Castle Creeps is a fine addition to this list, but it doesn't offer much that's new. Instead, though, we get a supremely polished entry in the genre with an appealing cartoon aesthetic.

The one major element we found to work for us in our Castle Creeps TD review is the smoothness with which Castle Creeps TD plays. You will find a well-polished title that doesn't lag, doesn't have weird bugs or inconsistencies, and will let you enjoy the game to the fullest. The battles are not as difficult as to make you want to gauge your eyes out, and obtaining the heroes you want is not out of reach.

Really though, it's a decent Android tower defence game that does exactly what it's supposed to do and does that well. What is there not to love?

This is probably the brightest Android tower defense game on this list and it offers some unique mechanics. In Radiant Defense, you build your own routes and then place your towers there rather than the usual preset paths used in other games. You'll try to fight the aliens that look a lot like ghosts. But then again, how would I know what they look like, right? Maybe ghosts and aliens are one and the same.

Unfortunately, there are only 15 missions to beat. However, it is also quite inexpensive, and as a bonus, it has full controller support. Competitive players will love the fact that there is a hall of fame, so you can compare yourself to other alien slayers.

Arknights casts you as a representative of a pharmaceutical company that fights both a deadly infection and the unrest it leaves in its wake. Add some sharp anime-style interstitial scenes, and you have a uniquely flavoured TD. You rarely find a good TD with anime graphics and touch controls as smooth as this one, so if you're eager to try something exciting and fun, Arknights should be on your radar.

Do not expect the game to be easy though - you'll find yourself quickly regretting not upgrading THAT unit soon enough, and having to replay THAT stage a million times until you find the perfect formula to ace it.

We know all about those struggles. That's why we made anArknights tier list to help you with the upcoming challenges! So, your best bet would be to take it slowly, and really take in the wholesome experience it provides.

An original, stylish, impeccable and bloody Android tower defence, Last Hope TD features all the elements we all know (and love or hate, depending on the day) from classical games of the genre, but with a touch of zombies. What really impressed us here, however, is the arsenal and upgrades, which is similar to a skill tree in typical RPGs.

You can develop and upgrade weapons and strategically place them in order to take down hordes of zombies. The simple approach we see first and foremost might be a deterrent to many, but don't let that fool you. The actual game is super fun, exciting and challenging, and it'll really drive out your tactical thinking.

Already an immensely popular multiplayer casual strategy experience in its own right, Lords Mobile has now added a whole new element with its Vergeway tower defence mode.

Overall, it's a game that has a little bit of everything - a little bit of tower defence, a little bit of gacha with hero acquisition, some mainstream elements (battle passes, codes and such) and you will always find people to play with since it's so popular.

You can find a bunch of Lords Mobile guides that we've put together for you, so if you are eager to get good and become one of the best players in the world, then you better check them out! We have explained how to obtain and use a Migration Scroll in Lords Mobile and compiled all the active codes for Lords Mobile for you, among other things.

A side-on game that lets you defend your realm from within hulking portable battle towers. Mix in some light RPG and management elements, and you have a nice casual twist on TD.

The one thingyou cannot overlook though is the fun-looking graphics and simple, colourful approach. It's way simpler than CastleStorm but follows the same type of approach.

Basically, you shouldn't let its cutesy look make you think it's any less challenging. In case you get stuck, make sure to check out our Towerlands beginner's guide for some help.

So, I heard you like cats and Android tower defence games, so why not play something that has a little bit of both? In Cat'n'Robot: Idle Defense you have to build up your tower, enrol cats to defend it, and fend off enemy players. It's a colourful, cartoonish TD that will put a smile on your face through derpy-looking characters and odd constructs.

Cat'n'Robot: Idle Defense is fairly similar to Lords Mobile and other PvP-oriented games, but the matches are a lot quicker if you've assembled the right army. All in all, it's a top pick if you're seeking some lighthearted action where deep strategy is not something you'll have to worry about the moment you step foot into the game.

Tower defence games are usually solitary affairs, but Random Dice adds an intriguing PvP angle while an abstract dice aesthetic keeps things appropriately clean and concise.

Also, you don't need to worry about luck - the game is more about strategy than gambling away all of your units and whatnot. In short, you need to assemble a team of dice and place them strategically on your board. Then, you'll face off against an opponent and you'll have to outsmart them through strategic moves and rolls.

There are lots of options, strategies and tips that you can follow from fellow players (or friends of yours who play the game), but ultimately you'll find something that works for your playstyle. It's one of the best games of the bunch, so if you haven't had a chance to play it yet, make sure to check it out.