League of Legends vs Heroes of Newerth
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
League of Legends is a free‑to‑play multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) that pits two teams of five champions against each other on a variety of fantasy‑themed maps. Players choose from over 150 unique champions, each with distinct abilities, and work together to destroy the enemy nexus. The game features deep strategic depth, regular balance updates, and a thriving esports scene, offering both casual matches and highly competitive ranked play for players of all skill levels.
Heroes of Newerth (HoN) is a free‑to‑play multiplayer online battle arena that launched in 2010 for Linux, PC, and Mac. It offers a roster of over 70 heroes, each with unique abilities, and pits two teams of five against each other in intense, objective‑focused matches. The game emphasizes high skill ceilings, fast respawns, and a competitive ladder, catering to both casual pick‑up games and serious esports competition. Its community‑driven updates keep the meta fresh and the experience engaging.
- Deep strategic depth with a large champion pool
- Free-to-play with regular content updates
- Strong competitive and esports scene
- Robust community tools and communication features
- High skill ceiling rewards mastery
- Cross‑platform support includes Linux
- Robust competitive ladder and ranking system
- Active community with regular updates
- Steep learning curve for new players
- Occasional balance issues between champions
- Heavy reliance on internet connectivity
- Steep learning curve for new players
- Microtransactions limited to cosmetics only
- Occasional matchmaking imbalances
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Alternatives to League of Legends
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A fast‑paced, skill‑driven MOBA that blends hack‑and‑slash action with strategic depth
A fast‑paced fantasy MOBA that pits mythic heroes against each other in epic battles
Alternatives to Heroes of Newerth
View all →A fast‑paced fantasy MOBA that pits mythic heroes against each other in epic battles
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataLeague of Legends is the safer default choice due to its higher critic score and massive champion pool, trading off against Heroes of Newerth's native cross-platform support. The main decision is whether you prioritize critical acclaim and massive roster depth or Linux support and mod capabilities.
Key differences
- •League of Legends features over 150 champions, whereas Heroes of Newerth has a diverse roster of heroes without a specified total count.
- •League of Legends has a critic score of 84/100, outscoring Heroes of Newerth's 71/100.
- •Heroes of Newerth natively runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS, while League of Legends platform support is not specified beyond multiplayer.
- •Heroes of Newerth includes mod support for custom maps, hero skins, and gameplay tweaks, which is not mentioned for League of Legends.
- •Heroes of Newerth includes Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) multiplayer features, whereas League of Legends lists Multiplayer and Co-operative.
Gameplay & fun factor
League of Legends achieves a higher critic score of 84/100 compared to Heroes of Newerth's 71/100.
Platform availability
Heroes of Newerth runs natively on Linux, Windows, and macOS, while League of Legends' OS support is not specified.
Price & value
Both games utilize a free/freemium model with optional cosmetic microtransactions and regular seasonal events.
Multiplayer / co-op
Heroes of Newerth includes Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) support alongside multiplayer and co-operative modes.
Content & replayability
League of Legends offers over 150 champions with unique skill sets, providing endless strategic combinations.
Difficulty & accessibility
Both titles share the exact same con regarding a steep learning curve for new players.
Graphics & performance
League of Legends has a higher critic score (84 vs 71), though specific graphical performance metrics are not specified.
Choose League of Legends if…
Players wanting a massive champion pool, deep esports ecosystem, and higher critical acclaim.
Choose Heroes of Newerth if…
Linux users or players who want native cross-platform support and community mod capabilities.
Common questions
How do the prices of League of Legends and Heroes of Newerth compare?
League of Legends is Free, while Heroes of Newerth utilizes a Freemium model with optional cosmetic microtransactions.
Which game has better critical reception?
League of Legends has a critic score of 84/100, whereas Heroes of Newerth has a critic score of 71/100.
Can I play Heroes of Newerth on Linux?
Yes, Heroes of Newerth runs natively on Linux, Windows, and macOS.