Best Online Casino Software Providers

There is a long list of online casino software companies on the market today, with options ranging from classic slot experiences to brand new game mechanics. The leading online gaming software developers are Microgaming, Playtech, NetEnt and Realtime Gaming, among others. Below you’ll find all top-rated casino software companies on our site, along with reviews and pros and cons.

Top Casino Software Providers

More casino providers appear regularly, as the world of online casinos is always on the hunt for new, exciting casino games. As online gaming grows in popularity, players get to enjoy new options related to their interests.

Game developers and gaming operators rose to the challenge. Microgaming was one of the first providers to take matters into their own hands, as they started to create high-end casino games of all shapes and sizes. Afterwards, many other companies like NetEnt (with its live dealer solution), Play'n Go, Yggdrasil and Thunderkick followed suit.

Now, we have plenty of options with each provider specialising in a slightly different game offering. Some create games that are classic and easy to follow, and some of them create games that are exciting with new mechanics at every turn - some even going so far as to create a classic video game experience with gambling offerings!

With a healthy amount of competition amongst these software provider giants, they have managed to keep casino gaming exciting and dynamic, with new innovations appearing frequently.

Software Providers & Slot Categories

From simple 3-reel slot machines built with Flash software to modern video slots and progressive jackpots, online roulette, blackjack and video poker on HTML5, things have changed. Not only have the look and feel of the games improved, but the gameplay has become even more exciting over time. Good software providers make sure that their games are filled with exciting and thrilling gameplay features, such as free spins or bonus rounds. On top of this, the switch to HTML5 has made games available on many operating systems meaning that there is no difficulty running them on a phone as well as a desktop computer, for example.

With new features like different variations on Wild Symbols, Scatter Symbols and different reel systems like “Avalanche modes” and “Tumbling reels”, there’s always something new. Looking for the best online slots? Check out our top-rated online slots before you play.

How Do They Work

Before smartphones and tablets came into the picture, the only way to spin the reels of slot machines online was through your old trusty PC. Casino games on desktop computers tended to be made in Flash, which is no longer industry standard as it stopped games from being available on all types of devices.

Eventually, as smartphones and tablets became commonplace, there were extra software issues that would make running Flash impossible on some devices. As eventually Flash support was discontinued, leapt into HTML5 - a relatively new way of building sites that were interactive, flexible, and far more useful for playing newer games and building better websites.

HTML5 is supported by all browsers and devices, and also allows for players to play their favourite slot machines on their mobile phones without skimping on quality. This way players can be assured that they can play their favourite games on the go and still enjoy the same experience as they would on desktop. Any good software provider keeps mobile-first casinos in mind when creating a concept for their new games.

Our Software Providers Review Process

On our site, you can find a collection of detailed reviews on all the most popular software developers. And we also review the newest providers, giving you all the facts and background on each company. We examine gambling licences as well as trustworthiness and the quality of games on offer.

General Reputation

You probably already know about the reputation of the most popular software providers, but what about newer studios? We give an overall rating for this important aspect, and we talk to other industry experts to give us a better overview of a provider's reputation. 

Number of Games

At the top of each of our provider reviews, we clearly highlight the number of available games. We also mention which countries these games are available in or if any are restricted. You can also test out many of the games for yourself by using the links which we provide in the reviews.

Average RTP and Volatility

Our reviewing process considers a provider's most popular games, and then we drill down further by evaluating the RTPs and volatilities. We include a table with this information clearly displayed so that you can choose a game which suits your style of play.

Best Casino Software Providers

We know there are plenty to choose from - so here are a few of our favourite casino software developers and some of the games that you can choose from!

Microgaming (1500 Games)

Over the years this innovative and agile software developer has put their mark on the map and raised the bar when it comes to the quality of their games, along with their sister studio StormCraft Studios. Continuing to expand on their territory and never refusing any challenge, Microgaming truly deserves a spot in our top casino software providers.

NetEnt (550 Games)

Previously known as Net Entertainment, NetEnt is one of the reigning software giants in the online casino industry. They have published crowd favourites like Gonzo’s Quest, Jack and the Beanstalk, Wheel of Fortune and of course the hit slot game Starburst. Up until this day, NetEnt makes it their mission to challenge the norm and produce high-end casino platform games.

Play’n GO (450 Games)

Established in 2004 by a team of talented developers, this software provider is still going strong by publishing high end and entertaining games for all kinds of players. With outstandingly colourful graphics and fitting soundscapes, and games ranging from regular video slots to stylised video-game style casino games, their games offer exciting bonus levels and extra types of play. Tapping into nostalgic themes like the video game franchise Hugo while also publishing classic slots, Play’n Go manages to cater to the needs of all players.

Rating the Best Casino Software

What goes into an online slot game? One of the biggest factors in how a casino slot will play is volatility. Slots can vary between low and high volatility. Volatility is how often the slot symbols change, the variance in their appearance, and how wildly different each spin will be when playing. A lower volatility slot may vary less or have fewer events changing the spins, and a higher volatility slot will contain more changes on the reels. In addition to this, the slot's RNG (random number generators) has to be top-notch.

Games Volatility

Players who prefer to relax and gamble on slots purely for recreation and entertainment will find slot machines with a lower volatility more appealing. These popular games allow players to spend a small number of credits on a large number of spins. But of course, in turn, the payouts will be lower as well.

On the other hand, high volatility means that the hit rate of a slot will be rather low, but the payouts can be massive. This means that the player will have to bet a large sum of money in order to see a return on their balance. This style and mechanic of slot machines appeals to players who know what they are doing and are in it for the big prizes.

Software providers have been focusing on creating good looking and entertaining high roller slots to match the demand.

iGaming Theme & Sound

The casino game should be fun to look at and listen to - after all, you are the one that's playing it! With casino games coming in so many different themes it makes it easy for players to pick something that appeals to them! Game developers generally pick a theme and soundtrack that go together and which is pleasing. Visual effects to make the game more exciting, as well as an encouraging soundtrack and sound effects all, work together to improve the game experience.

What Makes the Best Online Casino Software 

There are plenty of aspects that play into what makes casino software good. Is it trustworthy, has no bugs, and works well on any device? Or is it slow, from an unknown developer, and full of errors? Obviously, you'd want to look out for games that fit the first type - so here are a few pointers.

• Ensure that the company that makes the games is licensed under several jurisdictions. You will be able to view their licences on their website;
• Check that the casino software is provably fair and that it runs using an RNG in order to create a true chance when playing;
• Check that you can run the game on both your mobile gaming or tablet and your desktop - a good casino gambling software will be built in HTML5 and run on any device

We recommend you also check out the exclusive online casino's page where you’ll find not only casinos powered by a variety of different software providers but also unique players’ features.

Note that the credibility of software companies reflects the overall quality of online casinos that work with these software providers. It is worth paying attention to the software providers of online casinos in order to feel safe playing for real money.

References

• Top 8 Casino Software (World Financial Review)
• Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
• United Kingdom Gambling Commisson (UKGC)