Best Poker Apps UK 2026

Which are the Best Poker Apps?

Proper good poker apps for UK residents are those that hold a UKGC licence, show high performance and top security. They also deliver the best bonuses and services for British players. See brands that tick all the boxes in our expert opinion:

• 888poker
• GGPoker
• Partypoker
• PokerStars
• Unibet Poker
• Betfair Poker
• William Hill

UK Poker Apps & Their Welcome Bonuses Compared

5 Best Real Money Poker Apps Reviewed

After hours of research, comparisons and verbal sparring among the expert team, we eventually crowned the top five.

See brief reviews of the best poker apps UK market has to offer on Cardmates:

GG Poker App

The provider that, in our view, has tried the hardest to leave its rivals behind is GGPoker. Its meteoric success after the launch in 2017 wasn’t accidental but led to long-term popularity. You can choose the most suitable time to plug in crazy action as GG boasts unrivalled traffic 24/7. Both in MTTs and ring games.

Player pool, bonuses and events do not differ for desktop and portable users. So you won’t miss anything by logging in away from home. Multiple positive updates brought the GG app to the top of our ranking. It has a litany of premier features – other brands aren't even close to being in the same class.

What makes it the best poker app in the UK sector? Powerful software with PokerCraft database. This stat tool is something – it replays and analyses every hand the user plays at GG tables. This applies to all disciplines and limits, which will suit smaller budgets as much as high rollers.

Using the client is enjoyable. Its flexible, user-friendly settings secure a more comfortable, joyful play. You can adjust sound effects or change the table theme to match your current mood, inter alia.

Additional Pros & Cons

• Safe poker app with fast real money transactions and strong encryption.
• Great looking design, second-to-none animation.
• Splash – a fun feature for interacting with your rivals.
• Regular third-party audits (by eCOGRA or similar) result in fair play for all UK punters.
• Easy download on iPhone, iPad and Android.

• Cluttered with banners of ongoing promos.

Party Poker App

This operator understands player needs as no other – PartyPoker is one of the longest-running sites. They actively monitor industry trends and promptly adjust to them.

UK residents who’ve already used this mobile poker app for real money note its good functionality. First, it looks good on any OS and device – its aesthetics blow away. The range of games is brilliant in terms of tables and stakes. Traffic also feels pretty strong, though much less jammed than on GG.

Its iOS and Android apps are well-optimised and almost identical. Clear user interface allows one to quickly find a desired cash table or tourney and join the action in both cases. Portrait layout adds to the convenience of controlling gameplay with one hand.

Additional Pros & Cons

• Best real money poker app for diehard fans of quick-fire action. (Look for ‘fasforward’ tables.)
• Access to big-guarantee tournaments from the flagship series.
• Hassle-free deposit and withdrawal transactions.
• Multi-tabling up to 4 tables on a single screen – you can mix formats.

• One should visit the App Store to download and then install the Party Poker app on an iPhone or iPad. (The official webpage serves no relevant link.)

888 Poker App

The next excellent spot to experiment with premium poker games on a smartphone is 888poker. The choice of disciplines here is probably the poorest – this operator offers only Hold’em and Omaha. Still, its mobile client is appealing and super friendly. Sorting tourneys here is breezy thanks to a dedicated filter, while cash tables are neatly organised by limit.

We believe 888 is the best online poker app for recreational punters, rather than seasoned pros. Since traffic here is drastically lower, professionals may feel lonely at times (especially at Omaha tables).

Differences between its Android and iOS online poker apps are minimal.

Additional Pros & Cons

• 888 client is among the best poker apps UK offers for its stable functionality.
• Simple in use, fast navigation; classy yet unobtrusive design.
• Web cashbox with a good choice of payment options.
• NLH and PLO tourneys for all bankroll sizes.
• Same bonuses and promos as on your desktop.

• Slightly limited features compared to the PC counterpart.

Unibet Poker App

Beginners from Great Britain will appreciate Unibet Poker for its caring attitude. Let us explain why we are confident about that. The selling point of its PC/mobile software is protection for inexperienced punters. Punters who wish to heighten anonymity can change the avatar and/or alias of their account every 24 hours.

Navigation on the Unibet mobile poker app on iPhone is dead easy. And guess what? It is equally intuitive on Android. Getting each version is effortless through the official site. Special links transfer users to the App Store or Google Play for the original application.

Additional Pros & Cons

• Only poker room offering ‘change identity’. (No savvy shark will catch you here!)
• Designed with users in mind, this real money poker app is fully kitted out for portable play.
• Top-quality picture allows for long game sessions – no blurry elements, no eye discomfort.
• Smart button layout for quick actions and over 100 original avatars for your choice.

• Mobile gaming catalogue reduced to two disciplines: Omaha and Hold'em.

Poker Stars App

Inexperienced and low-stakes players will feel comfortable at PokerStars. Here, one can play cheap poker tourneys and ring games in local currency (GBP) without any conversion fee, against UK citizens and a global pool. Its soft field would help to sharpen your skills and swell your bankroll. 

A downloadable poker app for real money is at hand not only for those who use iPhone and iPad, but for Android owners, too.

Brits can be sure: this poker provider is highly reliable and does its best to create a safe environment. It is a notable part of the gigantic Stars empire which also runs casino and sports betting platforms.

Additional Pros & Cons

• Optimal performance thanks to regular updates.
• Best poker app in the UK to place bets in £s.
• One of the widest game ranges out there.

• Occasional logging out during play.

How We Ranked Poker Apps

We ranked mobile poker apps by sorting them according to the Cardmates evaluation system. Each score was determined by how the software performed overall, and we also counted the bits that really matter, focusing on:

• Licensing. Only brands approved by the UK Gambling Commission made our recommended list. We checked each name in the official registry as a step to confirm licence validity and that services would be provided legitimately.
• Software features. Real money poker apps that were intuitive, customisable, fast and stable in operation earned higher scores. We checked how easy it is to move between tabs to find the desired table or tourney, and how smart the button layout is to avoid misclicks.
• Poker games on offer. We looked for a diverse range, from classic PLO and NLH to Stud, Draw and mixed games. For us, it was also essential to find offerings across all stakes and regular tourneys for all budgets.
• Banking in poker apps. We want UK punters move funds on and off the account in a familiar way and without issues. Our experts personally tested the variety of deposit and withdrawal methods, as well as payout time.
• Server security. There’s nothing worse than your PII falling into the wrong hands, so we dug into this matter. Each online poker app we recommend boasts strong 128-bit or 256-bit SSL encryption to shield users from cyber threats. So your confidential data won't be vulnerable.
• Reward system. We assessed the real value of bonuses by examining wagering requirements and terms in detail. Sound rakeback program and personal bonuses raised the brand’s score.

Selecting the best poker apps in the UK is sometimes an uphill battle. But we love what we do as this allows us to share first-hand experience with you, our readers. To know more about this vetting process and what apps raise red flags with us, visit our ‘How We Rate’ page.

Maksym Baksheiev, CEO of Cardmates UK

"To select the best online poker app is not that hard – pick the one that best fits your skill level and playing style. But getting an expert opinion before investing your money into a ‘feels like a nice’ room would be helpful as well. We’ve been examining poker rooms for over 10 years, so we understand which are worthwhile and which should be avoided."

Mobile Software vs Desktop Clients

Desktop or mobile poker – which format is better? The digital era brought a skew towards handheld devices, and the UKGC’s recent studies on British players confirm this. The research shows that Brtis prefer to use tablets and smartphones over traditional PCs. Is it weird? Absolutely not, as playing on real money poker apps secures many benefits:

• This enables punters to play from the convenience of their whereabouts, at any suitable time. (If you have reliable Wi-Fi or mobile internet, of course.)
• UK residents have all the fun at their fingertips; joining the action takes just two or three clicks.
• Mobile working frameworks tend to have better security.
• iOS and Android poker apps help build a sense of community among players.
• Top operators reward mobile users with exclusive bonuses which desktop fanciers cannot access.

Is No Download Poker Available on Mobile?

Let’s not forget that some online rooms have an ‘Instant Play’ option. In this case, punters enjoy poker for real in a mobile browser – interaction with opponents is direct, without any installation. Their choice of poker disciplines is normally similar. Functionality is close to desktop. Plus, they battle against the same adversaries as player pool does nt split – it’s unitary.

For us, mobile sites are less comfortable than downloadable online poker apps. But we are not going to force anybody into anything – that’s a matter of personal taste.

See brilliant rooms to play with no download:

Best Online Poker Apps to Host Home Games

PokerStars, 888poker and Partypoker are the UK’s best poker apps for settling online home games. If playing against strangers isn’t your bag, these allow you to play poker with friends, colleagues or family. Two formats are possible: for fun or for real money.

How to arrange home games? This process slightly differs in each application, but is generally fast and easy:

1. Decide which mobile poker app feels right for you and install it.
2. Ensure all potential invitees have a profile in this room.
3. Access the relevant section to register your private club.
4. Arrange a poker tourney or ring table.
5. Send a unique invite code to your future rivals to get started.

Remember to pick a game type that you and the people you want to battle with agreed on. Or, surprise them. Specify blinds, min/max buy-in size and all the rest.

Best Free Poker Apps for Beginners

Seeking a destination to play for fun? In our view, PokerStars.net is the best free poker mobile app for little fish who crave to turn into sharks. Free play allows one will quickly grasp how poker hands are formed (+ their seniority), how betting works and how victors are defined. You should visit the ".net" skin and get it from there.

Need an alternative option? Consider PokerStars Lite – it is on hand at the App Store and Play Market. Both versions come without a cashier; people use virtual bankrolls with no monetary value.

Also, among the best poker apps for iPhone and Android that are free, we can list:

• WSOP Poker
• World Poker Club
• Zynga Poker

British players can find these applications in the mobile app stores we mentioned above.

How to Download Android Poker Apps

As of writing, Android has 55% of the market share of mobile OS in Great Britain according to statcounter.com. This explains why most poker providers have mobile software for this popular platform. It’s perfect for playing on a tablet or smartphone, regardless of your brand (Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi or other).

UK citizens can download real money poker apps for Android devices for free in two ways:

1. From the official poker site – via apk file.
2. From Google Play – an easier and faster way.

The process may differ from room to room, but even a fresher will install one in a tap or two. Key takeaways:

• download times depend on your internet bandwidth and normally take up to a minute;
• poker apps have specific system requirements – check them in advance;
• remember to allow installations from sources other than Google (in the security settings);
• always update your mobile client once a new version becomes available;
• Android Biometrics, like fingerprint detection, face or voice recognition, is key to faster access to favourite games.

Why opt for the best poker apps for Android from our ranking? Each offers smooth and secure play, fast payouts and timely support.

Top Android Apps for UK Poker Players

Mobile Clients for iOS Devices: iPhone and iPad

The same statistical source says that slightly over 43% residents in the United Kingdom use iOS-powered devices. Our ranking includes the best poker app options for iPhone and iPad users from Foggy Albion. Getting any of them requires little effort:

1. Visit the App Store as usual.
2. Find the brand of your choice.
3. Follow familiar instructions on the screen.

We urge punters to keep both their OS and mobile poker apps up to date, at all times. This will guarantee that the client works properly.

Using iPhones and iPads as devices to play poker provides better security than using PC clients. This upgrade in player protection is possible owing to Biometric Authentication, which controls unauthorised access.

Apple’s Touch ID and Face ID work to keep sensitive info untouchable and rid the user of complex signing in. These technologies do not need a lengthy email address or a quirky password. They authenticate the device owner by the biometrics registered in the system earlier on (fingerprints or face). Strangers will simply not be able to unlock the mobile poker app and get in.

Top iOS Poker Apps for UK Users

What Games Can You Play on Mobile

Using poker app solutions, which we’ve included in our top list, Brits can explore several game variants. Most of them come in three different betting structures:

• no limit – you bet/raise as much as you like;
• pot limit – your bet/raise shall not exceed grand total in the pot;
• fixed limit – your max bet/raise is pre-specified.

See the variations that real money poker apps in the UK usually offer:

• Texas Hold’em. A timeless card game where skill and chance work in tandem. Rules are easy: two cards in your hands and five on the table. The champ is driven by the strongest 5-card hand.
• Omaha. It’s basically the same Hold’em, but here punters start with 4 cards, not 2. There are still 5 community cards on the board. You combine three of them and two of your hole cards to make the poker hand.
• Omaha Hi-Lo. The twist is that the pot splits between two hands – the weakest and the strongest. Their holders receive equal parts. Participants go through the same four rounds of betting. This format is in the top 3 favourites of poker app enthusiasts.
• Stud. There’s no community board, which makes the variation unique. Part of the cards the punter gets are visible to rivals, and the rest are dealt face down. However, you cannot use face-up cards that belong to other players to form your hand.

That’s not all the possible options. Few of the UK’s best poker apps for real money also have Five-Card Draw, Lowball and Mixed games. These variations haven’t got wide popularity – the main reason why you will not find them everywhere.

The next important consideration is the poker format you’d like play on the go. Generally, there are two simple categories – cash tables and tournaments.

Ring or Cash Games

Run 24/7 and are in high pursuit among mobile poker app enthusiasts. They don’t have start or end times – people join and leave when they please. Betting is for cash currency, which means that chips have direct monetary value (unlike MTTs). You receive them in proportion to the sum of your buy-in, typically between 20 and 100 BB.

Top poker apps neatly group cash games by a fixed limit for quick and easy search. In most cases, tabs will be labelled as ‘Micro’, ‘Low’, ‘Medium’ and ‘High’. If you want to change your current table, you’ll have to ‘flee’, then find and join the comfortable one, with higher or lower stakes. 

They also differ in action pace (regular or fast-fold) and player count (2 to 10 max).

What Poker App Tournaments are Offered?

British players love multi-table poker tourneys for their buzz, thrill and huge warranties. MTTs have set start times with possible late registration periods and last down to a champ. As for the entry cost, buy-ins range from budget-friendly prices to real ‘rip-offs’ which high rollers adore to play. 

The best poker apps mentioned on our site will suit every taste and wallet. Users can expect diverse tournament schedules. See what tourneys are normally offered:

Real money poker app lobbies include Sit & Go’s (or SnGs) — fast, single-table poker tourneys. Unlike MTTs, they don’t have a fixed schedule and kick off once all seats, from 2 to 9 people, are taken. One can choose how swift they want their battle to be: turbo or hyper-turbo (called Spin & Go when in 3-max).

Dedicated Bonuses and Payment Methods

During checks, our team pays particular attention to what bonuses British players can claim on this or that site. Online poker app providers from our top sometimes bestow special bonuses to portable users. They can help improve your bankroll (take it to new heights) when you're on the upswing and offset your bad streak.

For example, 888 used to give away 2 prize spins on the fortune wheel upon daily login from their mobile poker app. Desktop players were given only one spin within the same promo campaign. (Trifling, albeit pleasant.) The great news is that such bonuses normally come beyond all casual promotions.

The smartest operators know the best way to get you in the mobile door is to have a well-suited cashier for moving funds on Android/iOS. GPay and Apple Pay as payment options make banking super fast and convenient. Some of the mobile poker apps also support Boku – today’s popular mobile payment solution in the UK.

Note the huge drawback: these gateways usually do not support withdrawal transactions. So, to cash out prize money, punters will have to choose debit cards, wire transfer or e-wallets.

What Makes Poker Applications Safe to Use?

High-traffic mobile poker apps combine several measures to create a powerful security shield. To defend players from fraud, data breaches and DDoS attacks, they use:

• Layered authentication. Face ID, fingerprint scans and 2FA do not let someone else, except the account holder, access it. This practice mimics that of online banking standards.
• OpenSSL. Stands behind data encryption, which is particularly important when the punter connects to public Wi-Fi hotspots.
• Software updates. Newer versions of online poker apps suggest adding new features and improving overall performance. But special updates with a security focus plug loopholes that hackers may take advantage of.

Fair Play Mechanisms and RNG Audit

In an online setting, dealing cards is the responsibility of the Random Number Generator (RNG). Its algorithms determine which pieces will become someone’s pockets or hit the board on the river. Respected operators, whom we highlight on our site, ensure that cards are always drawn in a fully random sequence. 

Software that poker apps utilise undergoes testing initiated by independent external labs, as is ordered by the Gambling Commission. Dedicated agencies like iTech Labs or eCOGRA check if cards are dealt without any pattern. Their audits carry a huge value: if the operator fails several times in a row, the licence will be revoked.

Poker App Tools for Responsible Gambling

A safe environment behind real money poker apps starts with KYC (Know Your Customer). This procedure primarily stands for ID verification of new users to be in line with the regulator’s guidelines. But it also helps filter out problem gamblers by means of source of funds validation. 

Mobile users should also remember responsibility in their bets. Control tools aid players so that they stay safe when using a mobile poker app. What’s offered is:

• personal limits – on a deposit or loss amount per 24h, 7 days or a month;
• short timeout – may only last 24 hours or span several weeks;
• lengthy self-ban – prevents access to cash games and MTTs for a year or two;
• GAMSTOP self-exclusion – total blockage, it terminates all active gaming accounts registered from the UK.

Our Conclusion

Throughout this page, we have covered all of the crucial points about mobile poker apps. Our experts shared factors that one should consider when picking the most suitable application for their cash game sessions or tournament play.

GGPoker, PartyPoker and 88Poker are our clear favourites owing to their sleek and convenient mobile software. Our team also prioritises them over other choices because of strong security and high traffic volumes.

Our list of the best poker apps is not static – we update it as mobile clients change.

We monitor the UK market for new entrants and software of existing brands for operation. An operator moves up if we see their mobile software being improved. Should we find that some application started to work poorly and nothing is done to fix the bugs, its position in our ranking falls. 

So check back with Cardmates.co.uk for an updated overview of the finest UK poker apps.

References

1. UK Gambling Commission
2. eCOGRA
3. UKGC Statistics & Research
4. Statcounter (Global and UK Stats)
5. GambleAware
6. GamCare

FAQ

💸 Is there a poker app that pays real money?

Yes. The UK market features many legit applications where you can play poker games with real currency. We’ve analysed dozens of sites to select the best options for British players and published them on this page. They are all fully legitimate as approved by the UKGC.

⭐️ What is the best app for playing poker?

The best poker app for you is always a personal choice, depending on skill level, bankroll size, favourite games and other preferences. See our list of top-billing poker apps for Android and iOS users from Great Britain. Read our expert reviews to understand what each brand offers and whether these align with your needs.

📱 What is the most legit poker app?

Those licensed through the UK Gambling Commission, like the ones we outlined in this article. Only properly regulated poker rooms with reliable security measures are eligible to make it to our list. Knowing you’re playing in a safe and protected environment will build confidence for real bets.

🤷 Can I play poker on my phone for real money?

Of course! You can use genuine cash to play online poker games in Great Britain provided you are 18 y.o. or above. All poker apps we advise serve real money action (cash tables & tournaments) with the possibility of winning real prizes.