Best Mahjong Apps to Practice Online in 2026

By Mikado Editorial Team · Updated October 7, 2026

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Finding the right Mahjong app can transform your practice sessions, whether you’re preparing for a club game, learning a new ruleset, or just looking for a convenient way to enjoy a hand. The best apps offer more than just a digital table; they provide guided learning, adjustable AI opponents, and the flexibility to play with friends or strangers online. Based on extensive testing and player reviews, we’ve identified the top platforms that excel in helping you practice and improve your Mahjong skills, from American-style play with the official NMJL card to competitive Japanese Riichi.

Best Overall Mahjong App: Mahjong 4 Friends

For players who want a single, versatile app that covers multiple rule sets and play styles, Mahjong 4 Friends is the top choice. It supports American Mah Jongg (using the current NMJL or Marvelous card), Chinese, Hong Kong, British, and Panama styles. You can practice against AI opponents, invite friends to a private room, join public tables, or even mix human and bot players at the same table. Its cross-device support (iOS, Android, web) and free access to the current NMJL card make it exceptionally accessible for groups with different devices. Built-in hand suggestions and rule prompts provide invaluable coaching for newer players, making it the most well-rounded option for practice and play.

Best for Focused American Mahjong Practice

I Love Mahj

If your primary goal is to practice American Mahjong with the official National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) card, I Love Mahj is a premium, browser-based platform built for this purpose. It offers a 2-week free trial, followed by a subscription of $6 per month or $60 per year (as of October 2026). Its standout feature is built-in video calling, allowing your group to feel like they’re at the same table. You can play live with other people, against AI bots at three difficulty levels, or a mix of both. An “Exercise Room,” hand suggestions, and detailed statistics help you analyze and improve your gameplay, making it ideal for serious practice ahead of real-world games.

American Mahjong Practice (Eight Bam)

For a dedicated single-player experience focused solely on drilling American Mahjong hands, the American Mahjong Practice app (also known as Eight Bam) is a strong contender. It is available on iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows PC. The app is free with the 2018 hands, while access to the current 2026 card requires a purchase of $3.99 per month or a one-time fee of $17.99. Its most praised feature is the “Matching Hands” view, which visually shows you the hands on the official card that are closest to your current tiles, dramatically speeding up the learning process for a new card each year.

Mahj Parlour

Mahj Parlour excels at teaching the game from the ground up. It offers twelve free, interactive lessons that take you from your first tile through the Charleston, calling, jokers, and reading the card. After the lessons, full games require a subscription ($6.99/month or $49.99/year after a free trial). This makes it the best app for absolute beginners who want structured learning integrated with practice against AI opponents and online multiplayer.

Best for Riichi (Japanese) Mahjong

Mahjong Soul

For players interested in practicing Japanese Riichi Mahjong, Mahjong Soul is the most polished and popular platform available. It’s free to play on iOS, Android, and web, with revenue coming from cosmetic item unlocks. Unlike many competitive platforms, its tutorial is renowned for actually teaching the complex rules of Riichi from scratch. The client prevents illegal moves and flags furiten (a restricted state), which are common pitfalls for beginners. It offers ranked play, public matchmaking, private games with friends, and practice against computer opponents, providing a comprehensive environment for both learning and competitive play.

Riichi City

Another excellent option for Riichi on mobile is Riichi City. It is also free with in-app purchases and is praised for its structured tutorials and mobile-friendly interface. While its player pool is smaller than Mahjong Soul’s, it is a solid alternative for those who prefer its specific presentation and learning path.

Best Free and Multi-Style Platforms

MahJongo

If you want to jump into a game instantly without any downloads or accounts, MahJongo is a browser-based platform that lets you play for free against AI opponents. It offers six popular styles: American, Chinese, Hong Kong, Riichi, Sichuan, and Taiwanese. This makes it a fantastic sandbox for experimenting with different rulesets and understanding their unique rhythms before committing to a specific platform or community.

Mahjong Time

For the player who regularly switches between different Mahjong variants, Mahjong Time is a long-standing platform that supports an unusually broad set of rules under one account, including American, Hong Kong, MCR, and Riichi. It operates on a membership model (check the site for current pricing) and is the practical answer for anyone who needs consistent access to more than one rule set without managing multiple apps.

Comparison of Top Mahjong Practice Apps

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free app for American Mahjong?

Mahjong 4 Friends and MahJongg4Fun are among the best free options that allow you to practice American Mahjong with the current NMJL card against AI opponents or in online multiplayer without a subscription.

Can I practice Mahjong alone against computer players?

Yes, virtually every major Mahjong app featured, including Mahjong 4 Friends, I Love Mahj, Mahjong Soul, and MahJongo, offers the ability to play against adjustable AI opponents, making them perfect for solo practice.

What is the best app for learning Riichi Mahjong?

Mahjong Soul is widely considered the best platform for learning Riichi Mahjong from scratch due to its comprehensive tutorial system that actively prevents illegal moves and teaches complex rules like furiten.

Are there any apps that support multiple Mahjong rule sets?

Yes, Mahjong 4 Friends (American, Chinese, Hong Kong, British, Panama) and Mahjong Time (American, Hong Kong, MCR, Riichi) are specifically designed to let you switch between different regional rule sets within a single platform.