Fortnite vs. PUBG: Which Mobile Game Should You Play?
Gaming’s most divisive question, whether to play Fortnite: Battle Royale or PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), has now moved to the mobile platform. We’re here to help you decide.
PUBG released for iOS and Android earlier this week, just five days after Fortnite’s limited invites were sent out to iOS players only. Eventually, Fortnite will release to everyone on both iOS and Android.
To determine which mobile version you should play, we tested both games on a last year’s iPad. While performances may vary depending on your device, we played both titles on the same iPad on the same day for a fair comparison.
The quick takeaway? PUBG seems to run and look a lot better than Fortnite. PUBG is shockingly smooth and visually crisper. The controls are also more responsive.
Graphics and Performance
Visually, PUBG looks way crisper overall. While both games have draw distance issues, up-close imagery appears cleaner in PUBG compared to Fortnite, which has a problem with anti-aliasing, resulting in jagged visuals.
In terms of performance, PUBG seems to run better on mobile as well. This is surprising considering PUBG still has performance issues on high-end PCs, but Fortnite runs smoothly on all kinds of rigs.
Fortnite often experiences lag in certain areas of the map on mobile, especially when jumping from the battle bus. While PUBG also has performance flaws, it still looks, plays, and runs smoother in comparison.
Controls
PUBG translates better to mobile controls than Fortnite. This is because PUBG is naturally a slower and more methodical game, while Fortnite relies on fast building and fast movements.
The control scheme for both games is quite similar, with on-screen buttons for crouching, jumping, and aiming. However, Fortnite rewards swift movements and building, which can feel cumbersome on mobile. PUBG, on the other hand, allows for quicker actions and feels better on mobile.
In Fortnite, building at the speed you can on PC or console is challenging due to mobile controls. This is not an issue in PUBG, where you can move and plan your actions more quickly.
Final Thoughts
A major advantage of Fortnite as a mobile game is that each match plays much quicker. If you’re looking for a quick game while on the bus or train, Fortnite may be a better choice with matches lasting 20-25 minutes (15 minutes in the Blitz limited time mode, which is perfect for mobile), compared to PUBG’s sometimes-35-plus minute matches.
In terms of progression, Fortnite is the same game as on console or PC, as long as you link your Epic Games accounts. You will have the same Battle Pass, skins, levels, and more.
For PUBG, the progression system is independent and similar to what you find in mobile games, with rewards for consecutive logins, events, quests, and more. It offers plenty of reasons to keep coming back and playing.
If you prefer Fortnite over PUBG, you’ll likely enjoy the mobile version of Fortnite more as well. However, both games are worth your time, and there’s room for both to coexist.
Personally, I enjoy Fortnite more on PC, but I prefer PUBG’s mobile version. The choice is yours, but both are free to try out.