5 Best Caro and Gomoku Games for Android and iPhone

Caro is the Vietnamese name commonly used for the five-in-a-row family of games, also known as Gomoku, Gobang or Omok. The best phone app depends on whether you want offline AI, pass-and-play on one screen, rated online matches, or Renju rules. The five current options below cover those needs without treating similarly named apps as interchangeable.

Quick picks

1. Gomoku by AI Factory: best simple offline Android option

AI Factory’s Gomoku focuses on single-player and local play rather than an elaborate account system. It offers 9×9, 11×11 and 15×15 boards, several computer opponents and offline access. This is a strong choice for a quick game on a phone with an unreliable connection.

Get Gomoku by AI Factory on Google Play.

2. Gomoku Quest: best for rated online play

Gomoku Quest supports worldwide matchmaking, private games with friends, a rating system, computer opponents and VCF tactical problems. It suits players who want to study forced winning sequences as well as play live opponents. Online play requires a network connection, and its Renju-oriented features may feel different from informal school-paper Caro rules.

• Gomoku Quest for Android
• Gomoku Quest for iPhone and iPad

3. Gomoku by VM Mobile Team: best cross-platform Caro choice

This version explicitly recognizes Gomoku, Five in a Row, Caro, Omok, Renju and Gobang as related rule sets. It is a practical option when friends use different phone platforms and want a familiar mobile interface. Check the selected rules before starting because the treatment of overlines and forbidden moves can change the result.

• Gomoku by VM Mobile Team for Android
• Gomoku by VM Mobile Team for iPhone and iPad

4. Five In a Row – Gomoku: best iPhone option for two players

Five In a Row – Gomoku supports a two-player mode on one device as well as online games. Choose it when the main requirement is passing an iPhone or iPad between two people, not maintaining a competitive training account.

Get Five In a Row – Gomoku on the App Store.

5. The Gomoku: best Android choice for Renju practice

The Gomoku combines standard Gomoku with Renju and offers computer difficulty levels from beginner to expert. The Renju rule option is valuable for players who want a system designed to reduce the first player’s advantage rather than a casual “any five wins” match.

Get The Gomoku on Google Play.

Understand the rules before choosing an app

“Caro” does not identify one universal rule set. Ask these questions before a match:

• Is the board 15×15, 19×19 or another size?
• Does exactly five win, or does a line longer than five also count?
• Can a line blocked at both ends win?
• Are double-three, double-four or overline moves forbidden for the first player?
• Does the app use Gomoku, Renju or a local Caro variant?

For context on how abstract strategy titles fit into the wider category, see TipsMake’s explanation of what a board game is. You can also compare other classic board games available on Android and iOS.

How to choose safely

Install from Google Play or the App Store, verify the developer name, and read the current privacy and in-app purchase disclosures. For children, prefer offline or local two-player modes unless a parent has reviewed the chat, account and advertising controls. Store availability and features can vary by country and device.