Quads plays like Quarto with the 2×2 square rule always on. The 16 pieces, the four traits and the turn where your opponent picks your piece are all the same. The rule difference is that in Quads, four matching pieces in a 2×2 block also win, so there are 19 winning shapes instead of 10. Quads is a free app and browser game. Quarto is a wooden board game by Gigamic. Quads is independent and isn't affiliated with Gigamic.
Who's writing: we make Quads. We've tried to make this comparison fair. If you love wooden pieces on a real table, buy Quarto. Everything about Quarto here comes from Gigamic's page or Wikipedia.
What is the same
- The pieces. 16 pieces, each tall or short, dark or light, round or square, solid or hollow, every combination exactly once. Quads draws them from above, so a tall piece looks bigger and a hollow one has a hole. See the 16 pieces explained.
- The board. 4×4.
- The turn. Place the piece you were handed, then choose a piece for your opponent.
- Winning. Place the fourth piece of a shape whose four pieces share at least one trait. It doesn't matter who placed the other three.
- Draws. If all 16 pieces are placed with no win, it's a draw.
The one rule difference
Classic Quarto counts rows, columns and the two diagonals: 10 lines. Many Quarto editions add an optional variant where a 2×2 square also wins. In Quads it isn't optional. Squares always count, which gives 19 winning shapes.
The difference is bigger than it looks. In our tests:
- A board filled with pieces at random has no winning shape 1.98% of the time under classic rules, but only 0.31% with squares.
- In 4,000 games of our strongest AI against itself, 43% of the wins came from a square alone. No line rule would have ended those games.
- Endgames are far more decisive. In exactly solved random positions with seven pieces placed, draws fell from 42.9% to 5.8%.
So a Quarto player switching to Quads has to watch 9 more shapes. Squares through the centre are the easy ones to miss. The full analysis is in the square variant, measured.
Board game vs app
The bigger practical difference is the format.
- Quarto is a physical game. Gigamic's version has wooden pieces and is for 2 players, ages 8 and up, with games of 10 to 20 minutes. It comes in a classic and a mini size, and Gigamic also makes Quarto Access for blind and visually impaired players. Players spot wins themselves and announce "Quarto!"
- Quads is a digital game. It runs on iPhone, iPad, Android and in any web browser. The app spots wins for you and can warn you, while you choose a hand-off, if a piece in the tray would let your opponent win on the spot. It works offline and needs no account.
Quads also adds things a box can't: five computer opponents from Rookie to Grandmaster (tested over 10,000 games), a daily puzzle, Challenge a Friend codes, stats and achievements, and eight languages. Quarto has the one thing an app can't: real pieces on a real table.
Full comparison
| Quarto (Gigamic) | Quads | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Wooden board game | App (iOS, Android) and browser game |
| Pieces and board | 16 pieces, 4×4 | Same |
| Rows, columns, diagonals win | Yes | Yes |
| 2×2 squares win | Optional variant in many editions | Always |
| Calling a win | Players announce "Quarto!" | Detected automatically |
| Players | 2 | 1 (vs computer) or 2 (on one device) |
| Computer opponent | – | 5 levels |
| Puzzles | – | Daily puzzle; archive in the app |
| Price | Sold by retailers | Free with ads; one-time purchase removes ads |
| Designer / maker | Blaise Müller / Gigamic, 1991 | Alejandro Rioja, independent |
Which one is for you?
- Game night, family table, a gift: Quarto. The wooden set is a pleasure to handle, and it's been in print since 1991. Our history of Quarto tells the story.
- Playing alone, practising, or two people with one phone: Quads. Play it free in your browser, no sign-up.
- Both: they're the same game at heart, so skills transfer. Just agree whether squares count before you start.
No set at home? You can print a board and pieces or make a set from household items.
Frequently asked questions
Is Quads the same as Quarto?
It uses the same 16 pieces, board and turn: you place the piece your opponent hands you. The difference is that Quads always counts 2x2 squares as winning shapes, which classic Quarto treats as an optional variant. Quads is an independent game, not affiliated with Gigamic.
Can I play Quarto rules in Quads?
Not exactly: Quads always counts 2x2 squares. Every classic Quarto win is also a Quads win, but some Quads wins (squares) would not end a classic game.
Is Quads free?
Yes. The full game is free in the browser and the apps. A one-time purchase removes ads, and a separate purchase unlocks two extra board themes.
Do I need the Quarto board game to play Quads?
No. Quads is a digital game: everything runs in the app or the browser.