Where to Play Riichi Mahjong Online

Ready to play? These are the three best online platforms for riichi mahjong, each with unique strengths. Choose based on your skill level, preferred style, and platform availability.

Quick Comparison

Platform	Best For	Rating	Available On	Price
Mahjong Soul	Beginners, casual play	4.5 ★	🌐 📱 🤖 🎮	Free
Riichi City	Realistic tiles, AI practice	4.5 ★	🌐 🎮 💻 🍎	Free
Tenhou	Competitive players	4 ★	🌐 📱 🤖 💻	Free

Platform Details

Mahjong Soul

The most popular English-language riichi mahjong platform, featuring beautiful anime-style graphics, comprehensive tutorials, and a thriving global community.

4.5 ★

🌐📱🤖🎮

Strengths

Excellent tutorials and single-player missions for beginners
Beautiful, polished UI with anime-style character system
Large English-speaking player base (shortest queue times)
Ranked play with clear progression from Bronze to Celestial

Limitations

Anime aesthetic isn't for everyone (can be minimized in settings)
Gacha system may tempt spending (entirely optional, cosmetic only)
Slight input lag on web version vs native apps
Character voicelines can be distracting for some players

Read Full Guide Visit Mahjong Soul

Riichi City

A modern riichi mahjong platform featuring realistic 3D tiles, clean interface, and robust AI training mode—perfect for players who want a polished experience without anime aesthetics.

4.5 ★

🌐🎮💻🍎

Strengths

Realistic 3D tile rendering (closest to physical mahjong)
Clean, professional UI without anime elements
Excellent AI training mode with adjustable difficulty
Full English support and localization

Limitations

Smaller player base than Mahjong Soul (slower queues at off-peak hours)
Fewer cosmetic customization options
Mobile version still in development (iOS coming soon)
Less established than Tenhou (launched 2020)

Read Full Guide Visit Riichi City

Tenhou

The original and most competitive online riichi mahjong platform, featuring the highest skill ceiling, largest player base, and fastest gameplay.

4 ★

🌐📱🤖💻

Strengths

Largest player base (1M+ registered users, mostly Japanese)
Highest skill ceiling - home to professional players
Fastest gameplay (lightning-quick matches)
Minimal, efficient interface (no animations or bloat)

Limitations

Steep learning curve - not beginner-friendly
Minimal English support (mostly Japanese UI)
Flash-based web version (compatibility issues)
No tutorials or hand-holding

Read Full Guide Visit Tenhou

Which Platform Should You Choose?

🎓

Complete Beginner

Never played riichi mahjong before? Want tutorials and guidance?

→ Start with Mahjong Soul

🎯

Intermediate Player

Know the basics, want to improve and face stronger opponents?

→ Try Riichi City or Tenhou

🏆

Competitive Player

Want the highest skill ceiling and most competitive environment?

→ Play on Tenhou

New to Riichi Mahjong?

Learn the rules, yaku, and strategies with our comprehensive beginner's guide.

Start the Beginner Guide