Is Pokémon Showdown free to play?

Yes. Pokémon Showdown is free and plays in your browser on play.pokemonshowdown.com. Foundplay links to it but doesn't host it.

Do I need to download Pokémon Showdown?

No. It runs in a browser tab, with nothing to install.

Is Pokémon Showdown safe?

Foundplay checks its link every few hours and gives it a daily safety check (malware blocklists, downloads, crypto miners, parked domains and fake virus warnings), and hides the game at once if that check fails. No check can promise a site is safe: if a game asks you to download something or for a password, leave it.

Pokémon Showdown: play free in your browser

At a glance

Pokémon Showdown is a free multiplayer strategy game that plays in your browser on play.pokemonshowdown.com. On Foundplay since October 11, 2026.

Is Pokémon Showdown free to play?: Yes. Pokémon Showdown is free and plays in your browser on play.pokemonshowdown.com. Foundplay links to it but doesn't host it.
Do I need to download Pokémon Showdown?: No. It runs in a browser tab, with nothing to install.
Is Pokémon Showdown safe?: Foundplay checks its link every few hours and gives it a daily safety check (malware blocklists, downloads, crypto miners, parked domains and fake virus warnings), and hides the game at once if that check fails. No check can promise a site is safe: if a game asks you to download something or for a password, leave it.