About Polingo
Polingo is a free, browser-based version of Scattergories — the fast word game where a single letter and a list of categories turn into a race against the clock. We built it to be the easiest possible way to get a group playing together: open the site, start a room, share a link, and you're in. No download, no account, no waiting.
Why we built it
Scattergories is one of those games that's brilliant in person but surprisingly annoying to set up remotely — someone has to own the box, roll the letter die, keep time, and settle arguments about whose answer counts. We wanted the fun without the friction. So Polingo handles all the fiddly parts for you: it deals a random letter and category list, runs the timer, and scores every round automatically. You just think of clever answers and argue about them for fun, not because someone lost the scorepad.
What makes it different
- Genuinely free — no paywalls, no sign-ups, no "premium" tier. Ads keep the lights on.
- Play anywhere — it runs in any modern browser on phones, tablets and laptops, with nothing to install.
- Built for friends — private rooms with a short code or invite link, for up to 30 players at once.
- Automatic scoring — unique answers score more than ones everybody wrote, and the app tallies it all so there are no disputes.
- Fast to start — most games are up and running in under a minute.
How it works
Everyone in the room gets the same letter and the same categories at the same time. Fill each category with a word starting with that letter before the clock runs out — the twist is that answers nobody else thinks of score the most, so being original beats being fast. New to it? Read the full how to play guide, browse 250+ category ideas, or roll a random list with the generator.
The name
"Polingo" is a nod to polyglot — words and languages are the whole point. Bringing this word game to more languages is exactly the kind of thing we want to grow into over time.
Is it really free?
Yes. Polingo costs nothing to play, and we're committed to keeping the core game free. We may show unobtrusive ads to cover the (small) cost of running the servers, but the game itself won't hide behind a paywall.
Privacy first
You don't create an account or hand over personal details to play. Game rooms are temporary and cleared automatically after they finish. See our Privacy Policy for the specifics.
Contact
Feedback, a bug, or an idea for a category pack? We'd love to hear it — email hello@polingo.org or visit our contact page.