The best free Android racing games

Do you have the need for speed, but would rather not dole out the cash to get it? We get it - cars are expensive, and why pay for a game when you don’t have to? We’ve combed through Google Play for some of the best-looking white-knuckled racing games on Android that are completely free, barring the odd prompt for in-app purchases. These freemium racing games are all really good and offer a little something for everyone.

Pull on up to the starting line, and check out these outstanding free racing games for Android.

Asphalt 8: Airborne

Asphalt 8: Airborne is our favorite racing game on mobile right now. It skips all pretensions of realism and provides an over-the-top, high-octane game with all the fixings. Players can work (or pay) their way through the career mode, unlock new rides, upgrade the ones they have, or take the competition online in staggered or live multiplayer. The usual race modes are there, plus a new 'Infected' one where players have to tag other racers before succumbing to an explosive virus.

The incredibly polished graphics and outstanding soundtrack make Asphalt 8 an adrenaline trip you won’t soon forget.

Download Asphalt 8: Airborne now for free

Beach Buggy Blitz

Beach Buggy Blitz is a fun, easy-going racing game where players cruise along the coast of a tropical beach, trying to hit progressive checkpoints before the timer runs out. Gathering coins along the way helps fund your buggy upgrades, but make sure to avoid the various huts, animals, and fellow racers strewn about the course - impacts will slow you down. The graphics are colorful and smooth, including some nice water, dust, and lighting effects.

Hop into Beach Buggy Blitz if you’re looking for something light and kid-friendly.

Download Beach Buggy Blitz now for free

CSR Racing

CSR Racing is a clean-cut drag racing game. Players needn’t worry about steering - all you have to do is perfectly time your gear changes. Indicators tell when to make your next shift, and assuming your timing is up to snuff and your ride is amply upgraded, you should pull across the finish line before your opponent, and earn some winnings. Premium currency can be used to buy high-end cars, while the standard currency can be used to buy the others, as well as upgrade specific parts such as the gear box, engine, intake, and body.

CSR Racing boils down the racing experience to pure twitch reflexes.

Download CSR Racing now for free

Death Rally

Death Rally is a gritty, combat-heavy top-down racing title. Players deck out their ride with all manner of Mad Max-style weaponry and eliminate competitors in races and straight-up death matches. Weapon parts litter every battlefield, as well as cash bonuses and nitro speed boosts. The nice thing about Death Rally is that even if you don’t place first in a race, you can still walk away with a fair bit of cash just from blowing up opponents.

Death Rally is a great title for those looking to unload a bit of road rage.

Download Death Rally now for free

Fast & Furious 6

Fast & Furious 6 is a drag racing game draws inspiration from the popular action movies. Players shift gears at just the right time to pull ahead of rivals, and climb through the ranks, both in single-player and online races. Winnings are spent on upgrading rides to take on bigger and badder challenges. What really sets Fast & Furious apart from other drag racing games is the drifting mini-game, whereby players have to hold and release a drift button within specific target zones to keep the best time.

Fast & Furious 6 offers bite-sized racing with varied gameplay and beautiful graphics.

Download Fast & Furious 6 now for free

Forever Drive

From a top-down perspective, players in Forever Drive tilt or tap their way through an endless series of user-created courses for as long as they can before time runs out. Hitting checkpoints will buy you a little bit of time, and bonus objectives worth extra points litter every course. Make sure to avoid traffic or hitting the walls, since they’ll slow you down and cancel out your score multiplier. Players earn experience points, level up, and get access to new cars and license plates over time, or they can fast-track things by using in-app purchases. The real selling point are the smooth, stark, pseudo-Tron graphics that set a truly unique atmosphere. The nice thing about Forever Drive is that you can also build and submit your own courses which are shared with the userbase at large.

As far as racing games go, Forever Drive ranks high on style and imagination.

Download Forever Drive now for free

GT Racing 2

GT Racing 2 is a great pro-racing style game. Players climb the ladder through a series of single-player races to earn prestige and awards, which can be spent on buying and upgrading vehicles. There’s also online multiplayer, if you’re feeling gutsy. One particularly nice feature in GT Racing 2 is the Perfect Line, which shows where you should be trying to drive through a course for both most efficient turns and for bonus points.

GT Racing 2 offers beautiful, competitive racing with lots of recognizable cars to enjoy.

Download GT Racing 2 now for free

Motoheroz

Motoheroz is a side-scrolling game that is equal parts puzzler and racer. The controls allow players to move forward and back, and pitch their vehicle forward and back. Stages have hidden objectives throughout, and a ghost buggy to make sure you’re heading towards the final objective quickly enough. Power-up items, like jetpacks and springs helps you get to the finish line, wherever it may be. Between figuring out where to head next, having enough momentum to get there, and trying not to tip over, there are plenty of tense moments to be enjoyed.

If you’re looking to spice up your puzzle routine with a little bit of panic, Motoheroz will serve you well.

Download Motoheroz now for free

Real Racing 3

Real Racing 3 is bound to keep gearheads entertained. It puts real brand-name cars on real-world tracks - hence the name. It features an interesting asynchronous multiplayer system whereby lap times are recorded from your friends, and you race against a bot that’s driving at that time. Of course you can bump them out and affect their track time, and there’s a single-player career worth playing through too. Over time, players earn new cars and can upgrade various mechanical bits with their winnings, but make sure you take it easy on your car - you’ll have to keep your ride in good condition to avoid repair costs.

Real Racing 3 is absolutely gorgeous, and the white-knuckled racing action will keep you coming back for more.

Download Real Racing 3 now for free

Smash Cops Heat

Smash Cops Heat is a good old-fashioned cops-and-robbers racing game where you take on the role of the police. Players guide their cruiser with an intuitive, touch-friendly control scheme. Small boosts provide ramming power, and when you need to really motor, there are consumable Supercop power-ups. Mission types include standard take-down missions, races to get to crime scenes, and specifically-tailored challenge scenarios.

Overall, Smash Cops Heat is a fast, fluid joyride with outstanding graphics.

Download Smash Cops Heat now for free