Play Secret Hitler-Style Games Online With Friends
Service Rat is the closest free native mobile alternative to playing Secret Hitler online with friends. The host taps Online → Host and shares a six-character room code in any chat app — the code is all anyone needs. It is free, there is no account, and up to ten people can play from anywhere in the world. New to the game? Learn the full rules before your first room.
How to host an online game in under 5 minutes
1 · Install Service Rat on every phone
It is free on Google Play and the App Store. The download is under 60 MB. Everyone needs the app — there is no browser version.
2 · Host taps "Online" → "Host a Game"
The host enters a player name. The app contacts the global server and returns a six-character room code (for example "K7F3MQ").
3 · Share the code in any chat app
Send the room code over WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, iMessage, or whatever your group uses. The code is the only thing anyone needs.
4 · Players tap "Online" → "Join Game" → enter the code
Each player enters their name and the room code. They appear in the host's lobby instantly. The host can also add AI bots to fill any empty slots.
5 · Host taps "Start" when ready
The app deals hidden roles to each player, runs every vote, and applies every directive automatically. There is no moderator role. Reconnect is automatic if anyone drops.
What you need
A modern phone
Android 7.0 or newer, or iOS 16 or newer. Any phone from the last six years works.
An internet connection
Mobile data or Wi-Fi. About 5 KB per second during play — works on slow networks.
A group of 5 to 10 players
AI bots fill empty seats. You can play with as few as one human and four bots.
No account required
No email, no password, no profile. Names are display-only and are not stored after the game ends.
Privacy and connection
Service Rat's online mode connects through a dedicated game server over TLS. The server stores no chat (there is no chat feature), no profile data, and no game history beyond the active session. Room codes expire two hours after the last activity. The privacy policy explains every byte the server sees.
How online mode compares to LAN and Pass & Play
Service Rat has three multiplayer modes. Pass & Play is one phone passed around the table — best for in-person groups with one device. LAN multiplayer runs on the same Wi-Fi with each player on their own device — best for offices and game nights. Online multiplayer is for remote groups: each player joins the host's room code from anywhere in the world. Wondering how this stacks up against browser play? See how Service Rat compares to playing in a browser.
LAN multiplayer: same room, no internet
If everyone is physically together, LAN mode skips the internet entirely. The host taps LAN → Host, and the app starts a game server directly on their phone over local Wi-Fi. Other players on the same network see the game in the discovery list automatically (on Android) or type the host's IP address and port, which the host's screen displays. It works on a cabin Wi-Fi router with no internet connection, on a plane, or on an office network — the only requirement is that all phones share the same local network.
Online multiplayer — common questions
Can I play Secret Hitler-style games online with bots?
Yes. The host can fill any empty seat with an AI bot from the lobby — you need at least one human player, and bots take the rest. Two friends plus three bots is a valid five-player room.
Do my friends need the app too?
Yes. Everyone joins from the app — there is no browser version. It is a free download under 60 MB on both Google Play and the App Store, so getting a whole group ready takes a couple of minutes.
Does it work over voice chat or Discord?
Yes — that is how most remote groups play. A voice call on Discord, Zoom, or a regular group call runs alongside the game. The app handles the hidden roles, the votes, and the board; the call carries the accusations.
Is there a private room option?
Every room is private — the only way in is the host's code. There is no public lobby or matchmaking. Codes are case-insensitive and six characters long.
Can I play online with strangers?
Online mode has no public matchmaking and no open lobby list. Every room is invite-only by code, so you always know who is at the table. If your group is short on players, add bots instead.
What happens if someone drops out mid-game?
The app keeps the seat alive with a rejoin token for up to two hours. If the dropped player rejoins from the same device, they pick up exactly where they left off.
How many players can join one room?
Up to 10 players per room, including AI bots. The role mix balances automatically (5 players = 3 Workers, 1 Saboteur, 1 Rat; 10 players = 6 Workers, 3 Saboteurs, 1 Rat).
Does online mode work on slow connections?
Yes. Each player exchanges roughly 5 KB per second with the server. Cellular networks and weak Wi-Fi both work.
Questions about the game itself — roles, pricing, privacy, languages? They live in the full Service Rat FAQ.
Install Service Rat and host your first online room — free, no account, room codes work worldwide.