# Roblox vs Minecraft vs Fortnite: how the big three differ

Source: https://games.fun/roblox-vs-minecraft-vs-fortnite/. Checked November 4, 2026. Roam is our app, and the Roam team wrote this page.

Roblox is a free app full of games made by its players. Minecraft is one paid block sandbox where you craft and build. Fortnite is a free shooter that grew into a hub of modes and creator islands. Roam is a fourth option if you want to make your own game on iPhone.

Where to play the original: [Roblox on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/roblox/id431946152), [Minecraft on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/minecraft-dream-it-build-it/id479516143), [Fortnite on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fortnite/id6483539426).

## Roblox, Minecraft and Fortnite side by side

From the App Store listings, the ESRB and each company's docs, checked November 4, 2026.

- **Made by**: Roblox: Roblox Corporation, since 2006. Minecraft: Mojang Studios, owned by Microsoft, out in 2011. Fortnite: Epic Games, since 2017.
- **Price**: Roblox and Fortnite are free and sell Robux and V-Bucks. Minecraft costs $6.99 on iPhone.
- **Devices**: All three run on phones, consoles and computers. Roblox also runs on VR headsets.
- **Age ratings**: App Store: Minecraft 9+, Roblox 13+, Fortnite 13+. ESRB: Minecraft E10+, Roblox T, Fortnite T.
- **Playing with friends**: Roblox: cross-platform games, with voice and text chat for age-verified users. Minecraft: community servers or a paid Realms world. Fortnite: Battle Royale, Reload and creator islands.
- **Making games**: Roblox: Roblox Studio, free on Windows and Mac, with Luau scripts. Minecraft: commands, command blocks and add-ons. Fortnite: Creative mode in the game on PC, consoles and phones, or UEFN, which runs on PCs only.

## One game and two platforms

Minecraft is one game: a world of blocks to gather, craft and build in, alone or with people you know. Roblox and Fortnite are platforms. Every Roblox game is made by players and studios, from obbies to horror. Fortnite starts with Epic's own modes, like Battle Royale and LEGO Fortnite, then adds creator islands.

For kids, start with the ratings. Minecraft is 9+ on the App Store. Roblox and Fortnite are 13+, with parental controls and age checks. Player-made games vary, so look at what your kid plays.

For a deeper look at two of the editors, read [Fortnite Creative vs Roblox](https://roam.new/fortnite-creative-vs-roblox/). For a social space with friends instead, see [games like Rec Room](https://games.fun/games-like-rec-room/).


## Pick by the player

- **Pick Minecraft if**: you want to build and survive in one big world and don't mind paying once.
- **Pick Roblox if**: you want many small games with friends, or to learn Studio on a computer.
- **Pick Fortnite if**: you want a fast shooter with friends, plus LEGO and music modes.
- **Pick Roam if**: you are 13 or older, on iPhone, and want to make the game yourself.

## If you want to make games: a fourth option

Roblox Studio and UEFN need a computer. Roblox is testing Build, a prompt-to-game tab in its phone app. It opened in New Zealand in July 2026, and Roblox said in October 2026 that a wider US rollout comes in December.

Roam is an iPhone app where you play games and make your own. Describe a game in a sentence, or start from a photo of your friend, your dog or a meme, then change it by talking. Roam is free to download and play, and making games works without a subscription. Optional Spark and Reality plans and credit packs add more creation. Roam is rated 13+ on the App Store.


## Play it on Roam

- [Hold Till Dawn](https://roam.gg/play/hold-till-dawn/): Punch a tree. Build a wall. Wait for the sun.
- [Block Royale](https://roam.gg/play/block-royale/): Drop light, loot fast, stay last.
- [Clack Obby](https://roam.gg/play/clack-obby/): Every jump goes clack.
- [Block Wars](https://roam.gg/play/block-wars/): Three kills for a lookout. Nine for the car.

## Make your own mix of all three with Roam

Take the parts you like from each and describe them in one sentence. Play it solo or with friends. Roam is rated 13+ on the App Store.

Try: "block island survival, build a fort by day, zombies at night, last player standing wins, friends can join"

[Get Roam on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6745489251?pt=126889634&mt=8&ct=gfun-roblox-vs-minecraft-vs)

## Questions people ask

**Is Roblox or Minecraft better for kids?**
Minecraft has the lower rating: 9+ on the App Store and E10+ from the ESRB. Roblox is 13+ and T, and its games are made by players, so content varies.

**Which is free: Roblox, Minecraft or Fortnite?**
Roblox and Fortnite are free to download. Minecraft is $6.99 on iPhone as of November 2026.

**Is Roblox or Fortnite better?**
They suit different players. Fortnite centers on Epic's own modes, led by Battle Royale. Roblox is a library of games made by players.

**Can you make your own game in Roblox, Minecraft or Fortnite?**
Yes: Roblox Studio on Windows or Mac, Fortnite Creative in the game or UEFN on a PC, Minecraft commands and add-ons. On iPhone, Roam turns a sentence into a game. Roam is rated 13+ on the App Store.

## Sources

- Roblox app: free, 13+, Roblox Corporation, cross-platform on mobile, tablet, PC, console and VR, voice and text chat for age-verified users, parental controls, Studio on Windows or Mac: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/roblox/id431946152
- Minecraft app: $6.99, 9+, Mojang, Realms subscription, community servers: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/minecraft-dream-it-build-it/id479516143
- Fortnite app: free, 13+, Epic Games, V-Bucks, Battle Royale, Reload, LEGO Fortnite, Fortnite Festival, developer-made islands, parental controls and age assurance: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fortnite/id6483539426
- Fortnite Creative runs on PC, consoles, Android and iOS; UEFN runs on PCs only: https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/fortnite/install-and-launch-fortnite-creative-and-unreal-editor-for-fortnite
- Roblox Studio is a free app on Windows and Mac: https://create.roblox.com/docs/studio/setup
- Minecraft Bedrock creator docs: commands, command blocks, add-ons: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/minecraft/creator/
- ESRB: Minecraft E10+: https://www.esrb.org/ratings/35148/minecraft/
- ESRB: Roblox T for Teen: https://www.esrb.org/blog/what-parents-need-to-know-about-roblox-2/
- ESRB: Fortnite T for Teen: https://www.esrb.org/blog/a-parents-guide-to-fortnite/
- Roblox: Roblox Corporation, launched 2006, Luau, Robux: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roblox
- Minecraft: Mojang Studios, owned by Microsoft since 2014, full release 2011, on PC, phones and consoles: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minecraft
- Fortnite: Epic Games, first released 2017: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortnite
- Roblox Build: prompt-to-game tab in the mobile app, public alpha in New Zealand from July 28, 2026: https://ir.roblox.com/news/news-details/2026/Roblox-Introduces-Build-A-New-Way-to-Create-on-the-Platform/default.aspx
- Roblox plans a broader US rollout of Build in December (Q3 2026 call, reported October 31, 2026): https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/roblox-q3-earnings-call-highlights-051353029.html
- Roam: free iPhone app, play the feed or describe a game, solo or with friends: https://roam.gg/faq

Product names belong to their owners. Roam is not affiliated with them.

## About Roam

Roam ("Roam - Make Games" on the App Store) is an iPhone app where you play games and make your own by describing them or from a photo. It is free to download and play, and making games works without a subscription; optional Spark and Reality plans and credit packs add more creation. Android: pre-register on Google Play. https://roam.gg