Each online poker site provides players with poker software that players can download to their computer. At some best online poker sites players can also play poker right in the browser as these poker room also offers flash version of their free poker software. Almost each downloadable internet poker software is free (exception being only the software for windows mobile smartphones). It's free so that you are able to download the free poker software and try the online poker site without any risk to your money.
Free poker software consists of the graphic user interface (GUI) and client server that connects poker player with remote server where is the RNG (random number generator) that does the card dealing located. In other words the free poker software enables you to send queries to online poker site(or poker network) server and this enables you to join game, call, check raise. Most of the time is the graphic interface stored on your computer, the better the graphics the more disc space is needed for the free poker software to install.
Online poker sites can choose one from 2 approaches (or their mix) to their online poker software and poker network:
- own poker network and software - poker room develops their own poker software with their own graphics, RNG engine, cashier with payment methods and useful features as hand history, statistics, player notes etc. They need their own servers and technical team. This approach costs more money and is more time consuming but online poker sites that use this approach get rewarded by 100% control over their poker software and network, this option is preferred by the best online poker sites.
- poker software and network outsourcing - online poker site buys complete poker solution from specialized companies that provide the whole poker network solution including poker software, ongoing IT support and operations. Online poker room may be able to customize the internet poker software, promotions and payment methods for their players. This is much cheaper solution but online poker sites have to accept certain rules of poker network (player restriction, graphic interface). Another great advantage is that poker room joins poker network that already has solid base of players.
No matter if poker room is powered by own or external poker network the free poker software and poker networks employ latest security standards to protect your valuable personal information. Best online poker sites work with the industry's leading financial processors and offer a variety of fast, easy and secure payment methods to deposit and withdraw money from your player account. Online poker sites give you chance to try their poker software, you can play in daily poker freerolls to win cash, or no deposit poker bonuses. And after you make your first real-money deposit you can take advantage of generous poker sign up bonuses.
All reputable free poker software and networks review
Casinator.com reviewed for you the best online poker sites that are powered by the best online poker software. We have sorted online poker networks according to real money players peak. Because we think that real money players number is one of the indicators of quality and reputability of poker software. Another indicators we have included for you to choose the best online poker site are the following:
Real Money Peak - peak of players playing real money games during last month
Poker Rooms - number of poker rooms sharing the same poker network and using the same online poker software
Table Resize - says if the free poker software enables you to change size of the poker table window
Freerolls - if the online poker network provides online poker freerolls
Bad Beat Jackpot - if the online poker network provides bad beat jackpot
Multitabling- how many separate tables are you able to play at the same time
Guaranteed - biggest regular guaranteed tournament prizepool
Stakes - stakes where the most real money players are concentrated (V - very low or also micro stakes, L - low stakes, M - middle stakes, H - high stakes)
 |
Network |
Software |
Restricted Countries |
Real Money
Peak |
Poker Rooms |
Table Resize |
Freerolls |
Bad Beat
Jackpot |
Multitabling |
Guaranteed |
Stakes |
| PokerStars |
PokerStars |
USA |
35,000 |
1 |
YES |
YES |
NO |
unlimited |
$1.5 mi. |
VLMH |
|
 |
|
| pros |
cons |
- biggest poker network
- huge tournaments & satellites to live events
|
- online poker site offers only email support
- deposit bonus could be better
|
|
| Casinator's Verdict |
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|
|
 |
Network |
Software |
Restricted Countries |
Real Money
Peak |
Poker Rooms |
Table Resize |
Freerolls |
Bad Beat
Jackpot |
Multitabling |
Guaranteed |
Stakes |
| iPoker |
Playtech |
USA, FR.. |
6,000 |
20+ |
YES |
YES |
NO |
up to 16 |
$2.5 mi. |
VLMH |
|
 |
|
| pros |
cons |
- big number of real money players
- soft competition and excellent support
|
- no instant play version
- country restrcitions
|
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| Casinator's Verdict |
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|
|
 |
Network |
Software |
Restricted Countries |
Real Money
Peak |
Poker Rooms |
Table Resize |
Freerolls |
Bad Beat
Jackpot |
Multitabling |
Guaranteed |
Stakes |
| Bwin.Party |
Bwin.Party |
USA, FR... |
6,000 |
1 |
YES |
YES |
YES |
unlimited |
$2 mi. |
VLMH |
|
 |
|
| pros |
cons |
- excellent support
- unique promotions and tournaments
|
- game variety
- many country restrcitions
|
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| Casinator's Verdict |
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|
|
 |
Network |
Software |
Restricted Countries |
Real Money
Peak |
Poker Rooms |
Table Resize |
Freerolls |
Bad Beat
Jackpot |
Multitabling |
Guaranteed |
Stakes |
| 888 |
888 |
USA, FR, TR.. |
5,000 |
2 |
YES |
YES |
YES |
24 |
$100K |
VLM |
|
 |
|
| pros |
cons |
- new webcam poker concept
- excellent bonuses and loose players from casino
|
- online poker sites have many country restrictions
- no instant play, no live support
|
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| Casinator's Verdict |
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 |
Network |
Software |
Restricted Countries |
Real Money
Peak |
Poker Rooms |
Table Resize |
Freerolls |
Bad Beat
Jackpot |
Multitabling |
Guaranteed |
Stakes |
| Ongame |
Ongame |
USA |
4,000 |
40+ |
YES |
YES |
YES |
4 tables |
$500K |
VLM |
|
 |
|
| pros |
cons |
- soft competition
- satelites to live events and good value bonuses
|
- multitabling features
- software could be better
|
|
| Casinator's Verdict |
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|
|
 |
Network |
Software |
Restricted Countries |
Real Money
Peak |
Poker Rooms |
Table Resize |
Freerolls |
Bad Beat
Jackpot |
Multitabling |
Guaranteed |
Stakes |
| Merge |
Merge |
few (varies) |
2,500 |
50+ |
YES |
YES |
YES |
unlimited |
$100K |
VLM |
|
 |
| Top Network Online Poker Sites |
|
100% up to $600 pending bonus |
VIP Program |
Carbon Poker Bonus |
|
| pros |
cons |
- excellent bonuses and cashback
- state of the art software with unique features
|
- lower number of players
- few country restrictions
|
|
| Casinator's Verdict |
|
|
|
 |
Network |
Software |
Restricted Countries |
Real Money
Peak |
Poker Rooms |
Table Resize |
Freerolls |
Bad Beat
Jackpot |
Multitabling |
Guaranteed |
Stakes |
| Microgaming |
Microgaming |
USA |
2,500 |
20+ |
YES |
YES |
YES |
10 |
$200K |
VLM |
|
 |
|
| pros |
cons |
- live events satellites and freerolls
- best online poker sites for loose players
|
- country restrictions
- low game variety
|
|
| Casinator's Verdict |
|
|
|
 |
Network |
Software |
Restricted Countries |
Real Money
Peak |
Poker Rooms |
Table Resize |
Freerolls |
Bad Beat
Jackpot |
Multitabling |
Guaranteed |
Stakes |
| Bodog |
Bodog |
none |
2,000 |
1 |
YES |
YES |
NO |
4 |
$100K |
VLMH |
|
 |
|
| pros |
cons |
- excellent bonuses and no country restrictions
- loose players
|
- low game variety
- 4 tables multitabling only
|
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| Casinator's Verdict |
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|
|
 |
Network |
Software |
Restricted Countries |
Real Money
Peak |
Poker Rooms |
Table Resize |
Freerolls |
Bad Beat
Jackpot |
Multitabling |
Guaranteed |
Stakes |
| International |
BossMedia |
USA |
2,000 |
10+ |
YES |
YES |
YES |
unlimited |
$100K |
VLM |
|
 |
|
| pros |
cons |
- excellent promotions including reaload bonus
- satelites to live events and loose players
|
- country restrictions
- low game variety
|
|
| Casinator's Verdict |
|
|
|
 |
Network |
Software |
Restricted Countries |
Real Money
Peak |
Poker Rooms |
Table Resize |
Freerolls |
Bad Beat
Jackpot |
Multitabling |
Guaranteed |
Stakes |
| Everest |
Grand Virtual |
USA, RO... |
1,500 |
1 |
YES |
YES |
YES |
12 tables |
$500K |
VLM |
|
 |
|
| pros |
cons |
- unique software and excellent promotions
- satelites to live events and excellent value bonus
|
- some country restrictions
- number of real money players
|
|
| Casinator's Verdict |
|
|
|
 |
Network |
Software |
Restricted Countries |
Real Money
Peak |
Poker Rooms |
Table Resize |
Freerolls |
Bad Beat
Jackpot |
Multitabling |
Guaranteed |
Stakes |
| Cake |
Cake |
none |
1,500 |
20+ |
YES |
YES |
YES |
25 |
$100K |
VLMH |
|
 |
|
| pros |
cons |
- no country restrictions
- excellent tournaments
|
- low game variety
- all online poker sites on network offer same bonus
|
|
| Casinator's Verdict |
|
|
|
 |
Network |
Software |
Restricted Countries |
Real Money
Peak |
Poker Rooms |
Table Resize |
Freerolls |
Bad Beat
Jackpot |
Multitabling |
Guaranteed |
Stakes |
| Evereleaf |
Everleaf |
USA, FR |
1,000 |
100+ |
YES |
YES |
NO |
8 tables |
$3.5K |
VL |
|
 |
|
| pros |
cons |
- excellent bonuses and rakeback
- no country restrictions and soft competition
|
- low number of real money players
- most activity in lower stakes
|
|
| Casinator's Verdict |
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|
|
 |
Network |
Software |
Restricted Countries |
Real Money
Peak |
Poker Rooms |
Table Resize |
Freerolls |
Bad Beat
Jackpot |
Multitabling |
Guaranteed |
Stakes |
| Action |
PlaySafe |
US, FR, IT... |
700 |
5+ |
NO |
YES |
NO |
4 tables |
$10K |
VL |
|
 |
|
| pros |
cons |
- excellent bonuses
- soft competition
|
- software outdated (lacks many common features)
- very low number of real money players, restrictions
|
|
| Casinator's Verdict |
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|
|
 |
Network |
Software |
Restricted Countries |
Real Money
Peak |
Poker Rooms |
Table Resize |
Freerolls |
Bad Beat
Jackpot |
Multitabling |
Guaranteed |
Stakes |
| Yatahay |
Yatahay |
few US states |
300 |
5+ |
YES |
YES |
YES |
unlimited |
$15K |
VL |
|
 |
|
| pros |
cons |
- good bonuses
- multitabling capabilities
|
- very low number of real money players
- activity mostly in lower stakes
|
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| Casinator's Verdict |
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