The best life sims on Android and iPhone, ranked
| # | Game | Android | iPhone | Price (US) | What you do | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stardew Valley | Google Play | App Store | $4.99 once | Farm, fish, mine and marry in a small town | The most game per dollar |
| 2 | BitLife | Google Play | App Store | Free, with ads and in-app purchases | Live a whole life in text, from birth to death | Five-minute sessions |
| 3 | Heartopia | Google Play | App Store | Free, with in-app purchases | Build a home and pick up hobbies in a multiplayer town | Playing with friends |
| 4 | LifeSim | In the browser | Browser or iPhone app | Free, nothing to buy | Be anyone in a real city among AI characters | No install, real places |
| 5 | The Sims FreePlay | Google Play | App Store | Free, with ads and in-app purchases | Build a town and manage up to 34 Sims | Fans of The Sims |
| 6 | Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete | Google Play | App Store | $19.99 once | Run and decorate a campsite for animal visitors | Animal Crossing on a phone |
Prices are from the US Google Play and App Store listings, checked on November 10, 2026. The ranking weighs depth, how fairly the game charges and how well it suits short phone sessions.
Each pick in short
1. Stardew Valley
The full farming RPG for one payment of $4.99 on either store. Google Play lists it with no ads and no in-app purchases. The phone version adds auto-save and several control options.
2. BitLife
A text life simulator from Candywriter. You make choices year by year, from birth to death, then start another life. It is free with ads, and in-app purchases unlock extras.
3. Heartopia
A free multiplayer life sim from XD that launched in January 2026. You build a house, fish, cook, garden and watch birds in a town shared with other players. It is also free on Steam.
4. LifeSim
There is nothing to install on Android: LifeSim runs in the phone's browser, and iPhone has an app as well. You type who you are, or upload a photo for your look, and the game draws the character and starts the life in any real city on Earth. Every person is an AI character with a job, a home, a routine and a memory of you, and they text you first.
5. The Sims FreePlay
EA's phone version of The Sims. You grow a town and look after as many as 34 Sims. It is free, and EA sells virtual currency that buys in-game items, some of them random.
6. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete
Nintendo's one-time purchase version of Pocket Camp, released in December 2024. It keeps the campsite game and more than 10,000 items, with no further in-game purchases.
iPhone only: Apple Arcade
Apple Arcade costs $6.99 a month in the US and includes three life sims on iPhone:
- Hello Kitty Island Adventure: the island friendship game that also sells for $39.99 on consoles and PC.
- Disney Dreamlight Valley Arcade Edition: the life sim and adventure game with Disney and Pixar characters.
- Stardew Valley+: the same farming game, included in the subscription.
Apple says Arcade games have no ads and no in-app purchases. The first two are not listed on Google Play.
Free · no download · LifeSim
Play on your phone now: no install, nothing to buy
LifeSim runs in your phone's browser on Android and iPhone, and iPhone has an app too. Type who you are and the game starts that life in a real city.
Life sims that are not on phones
- The Sims 4: PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox only. The Sims FreePlay is the phone game. EA's other one, The Sims Mobile, shut down on January 20, 2026.
- inZOI and Paralives: PC and Mac only.
- Tomodachi Life and Animal Crossing: New Horizons: Nintendo consoles only. Apps that claim to be Tomodachi Life for phones are not official.
On a phone, a browser game fills that gap, which is where LifeSim fits. For games that cost nothing, see the free list. For browser games in general, see online life sims. Consoles and PC are in the main ranking.
FAQ
Is The Sims 4 on Android or iPhone?
No. EA lists The Sims 4 for PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox. On phones, EA's game is The Sims FreePlay, which is free with in-app purchases.
Is there a life sim for Android with no in-app purchases?
Yes. Stardew Valley ($4.99) and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete ($19.99) are one-time purchases. LifeSim is free in the browser with nothing to buy.
Can I play LifeSim on Android?
Yes, in the phone's web browser, with no download. On iPhone you can use the browser or the iPhone app.
Is BitLife free?
Yes. BitLife is a free download on Google Play and the App Store. It shows ads and sells in-app purchases.