If you’re reading this, chances are you’re one of the millions who loved QuizUp and are still searching for something to fill that void. We get it. When QuizUp shut down in 2019, it felt like losing a friend. The thrill of competing against strangers worldwide, the satisfaction of climbing topic leaderboards, the late-night quiz battles with friends—all gone.
But here’s the good news: the trivia community didn’t disappear. It scattered, evolved, and in some cases, rebuilt. Let’s explore where everyone went and what the best QuizUp alternatives look like in 2025.
Why Did QuizUp Shut Down?
Before we dive into alternatives, let’s quickly address the elephant in the room. QuizUp, at its peak, had over 100 million users. So what happened?
The short version: QuizUp was acquired by Glu Mobile in 2016, and the new owners shifted focus away from the core trivia experience. The app became bloated with features users didn’t want, monetization got aggressive, and the passionate community that made it special started to leave. By 2019, Glu Mobile pulled the plug entirely.
The legacy? A massive gap in the market and millions of trivia fans searching for “QuizUp alternative” ever since.
What Made QuizUp Special?
To find a true alternative, we need to understand what made QuizUp irreplaceable:
1. Topic Diversity
QuizUp had over 1,200 topics. From mainstream (Movies, Geography) to niche (Pokémon, Game of Thrones), there was literally something for everyone.
2. Competitive Multiplayer
Real-time 1v1 battles with a perfect blend of speed and knowledge. The tension of seeing your opponent’s answers pop up was addictive.
3. Leaderboards & Rankings
Local, national, and global rankings made you feel part of something bigger. Climbing from Bronze to Diamond in your favorite topic was a journey.
4. Social Features
Following topics, challenging friends, chatting with opponents—QuizUp understood that trivia is better together.
5. Clean, Fast UX
No ads interrupting gameplay. No paywalls blocking content. Just pure, fast-paced quiz action.
Now let’s see which alternatives deliver on these promises.
The Best QuizUp Alternatives in 2025
1. Sway - By the Original QuizUp Team
The Pitch: “From the creators of QuizUp”
What’s Good:
- Made by the original QuizUp team at Plain Vanilla Games
- Familiar interface for former users
- Growing topic library
- Clean, ad-free experience (for now)
What’s Missing:
- Still in early stages—fewer topics than QuizUp had
- Smaller user base means longer wait times for matches
- Limited language support
Verdict: If you want the “official” successor, Sway is it. But it’s still building back to QuizUp’s glory days.
Where to Get It: iOS and Android
2. Trivia Crack - The Popular Choice
The Pitch: “Classic trivia with a twist”
What’s Good:
- Massive user base—you’ll never wait for an opponent
- Character-based gameplay adds personality
- Available in multiple languages
- Regular content updates
What’s Not QuizUp-Like:
- More casual, game-y feel vs. competitive depth
- Questions rotate randomly—you can’t specialize in topics
- Ads and monetization are prominent
- Turn-based, not real-time (loses the intensity)
Verdict: Great for casual play, but lacks QuizUp’s competitive edge and topic specialization.
Where to Get It: iOS, Android
3. QuizMi - The Hidden Gem
The Pitch: “Challenge friends, climb leaderboards”
What’s Good:
- Real-time multiplayer
- Clean interface
- Decent topic variety
- Growing community
What’s Missing:
- Smaller than Trivia Crack, so regional matches can be slow
- Less polished than competitors
- Limited social features
Verdict: Solid alternative, especially in certain regions. Worth trying if the big names don’t click.
Where to Get It: iOS, Android
4. Kahoot! - For Group Play
The Pitch: “Make learning awesome”
What’s Good:
- Fantastic for groups, classrooms, parties
- Anyone can create quizzes
- Huge content library
- Great for educational use
Why It’s Different from QuizUp:
- Designed for synchronous group play, not 1v1
- Host-driven (one person controls the game)
- Educational focus vs. competitive trivia
Verdict: Not a QuizUp replacement for solo competitive play, but if you want trivia for parties or teaching, it’s unbeatable.
Where to Get It: Web, iOS, Android
5. Quizzy - The New Kid (Coming Soon)
The Pitch: “The quiz app the community asked for”
What Makes It Interesting:
- Built from the ground up as a QuizUp spiritual successor
- 100+ topics at launch, with 10,000+ questions
- Real-time multiplayer with competitive rankings
- Available in 10 languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Hindi, German, French, Russian, Arabic, Croatian)
- Free forever—no paywalls, no pay-to-win
- Modern tech stack = lightning-fast performance
- Currently in closed beta, building with the community
What’s Different:
- Not trying to be QuizUp—learning from what worked and didn’t
- Truly multilingual from day one (not just translated)
- Community-first approach: founding members are shaping the app
The Catch: Still in pre-launch. Join the waitlist to get early access.
Verdict: If you’re willing to wait a bit, this could be the closest thing to “QuizUp, but better.” The team is clearly obsessed with getting it right.
Where to Join: Quizzy Waitlist
The Verdict: Which QuizUp Alternative Should You Choose?
Here’s our honest recommendation based on what you’re looking for:
🏆 Best for Former QuizUp Power Users: Sway
If you want the most “QuizUp-like” experience right now, go with Sway. You’ll feel right at home.
🎮 Best for Casual Fun: Trivia Crack
If you just want to play trivia without overthinking it, Trivia Crack’s massive user base and playful vibe deliver.
👥 Best for Group Play: Kahoot!
Planning a quiz night? Teaching a class? Kahoot! is purpose-built for this.
🌍 Best for Multilingual Users: Quizzy
If you want a truly global experience or prefer playing in languages other than English, keep an eye on Quizzy.
🚀 Best for People Who Miss “The Good Old Days”: Quizzy
If you’re frustrated that nothing has truly captured QuizUp’s magic and are willing to wait for something built specifically to address that, join the Quizzy waitlist. They’re launching when they hit 1,000 founding members.
The Truth About Finding a QuizUp Alternative
Here’s something nobody talks about: there is no perfect QuizUp replacement. At least not yet.
QuizUp was lightning in a bottle—the right app, at the right time, with the right community. What made it special wasn’t just the features; it was the feeling of being part of something bigger, the inside jokes in topic channels, the rivalries that developed, the satisfaction of finally beating that one person who always seemed to win.
But that doesn’t mean we should give up. The trivia community is out there, and new apps are trying to bring us back together.
The best QuizUp alternative might be the one you help build. Join a beta, give feedback, tell developers what you miss. The next QuizUp won’t happen by accident—it’ll happen because passionate trivia fans like you helped shape it.
What Happened to the QuizUp Community?
If you’re feeling nostalgic, you’re not alone. Former QuizUp fans have scattered across:
- Reddit: r/QuizUp (still active with people sharing memories and looking for alternatives)
- Discord: Various trivia servers where former players gather
- Facebook Groups: “QuizUp Alumni” style groups
- Twitter/X: The #BringBackQuizUp hashtag still pops up regularly (follow @quizzylabs for updates on the next generation)
The community didn’t die—it’s just waiting for a reason to reunite.
Final Thoughts
QuizUp is gone, but the hunger for competitive, social, knowledge-based fun absolutely isn’t. Whether you choose Sway, Trivia Crack, or decide to be part of building something new with apps like Quizzy, the important thing is that you keep playing, keep learning, and keep competing.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what made QuizUp special: not the app, but the people who used it.
What was your favorite QuizUp moment? We’d love to hear your story — email us at info@joinquizzy.com.
Quick FAQ: QuizUp Alternatives
Q: Can I still download QuizUp?
A: No, QuizUp was removed from app stores in 2019 and the servers are shut down permanently.
Q: Did any app buy QuizUp’s data/questions?
A: No. The QuizUp team went on to create Sway as a fresh start.
Q: What’s the closest thing to QuizUp in 2025?
A: Sway is the “official” successor, but Quizzy is building something specifically for the QuizUp refugee community.
Q: Are any of these alternatives free?
A: Yes—Sway, Trivia Crack (with ads), Kahoot! (limited free tier), and Quizzy (free forever).
Q: Can I play these offline?
A: Most require internet for multiplayer. Kahoot! can work offline in pre-downloaded host mode.
👉 Ready to Be Part of Something New?
If you’re tired of settling for “almost” and want to be part of building the quiz app the community actually wants, join the Quizzy waitlist. They’re launching when they hit 1,000 founding members—and you’ll get early access, exclusive content, and the chance to shape the app from day one.
Current Status: 700+ members waiting
