On social media, players of both PUBG and Free Fire often roast each other, with each side claiming their game is the best. Some users even start searching on Google “PUBG ka baap kaun hai,” which means “Who is the father of PUBG, or who is superior?” The reality is that both games are good in their own way. Free Fire runs smoothly on low-end devices and offers unique, upgradeable character abilities. On the other hand, PUBG Mobile is more popular, features more realistic gameplay, and provides detailed customization for controls and recoil. Let’s compare Free Fire and PUBG Mobile to see which one is better in terms of gameplay, graphics, performance, controls, and overall player experience.
PUBG Ka Baap kaun Hai
No one is the father of PUBG, not even Free Fire, because both are competitors of each other. If Free Fire has quick matches, smooth gameplay, and a smaller download size, then PUBG has Realistic graphics, tactical gameplay, both short and long Maps, the best attractive Gun skins, and Mythic outfits. Furthermore, Free Fire was released on December 8, 2017, while PUBG was launched on March 19, 2018 means they have a difference of just 101 days.
Since I have played both games, let’s do an honest side-by-side comparison to find out the winner.
History
PUBG Mobile
PUBG Mobile is a free-to-play Battle Royale video game released on 19 March 2018 on Android and iOS. It was co-developed by PUBG Studios and LightSpeed & Quantum Studios, while it was published by different publishers in different regions, such as Tencent, Krafton, and VNG Games. As of April 2026, it has combined downloads of over 1.75 billion, while only the Global version has 1 Billion+ downloads on the Play Store. Furthermore, it has around 25-30 million combined daily users (DAU) while the monthly active user count is between 90-150 million.
Free Fire
Garena Free Fire is a free-to-play Battle Royale game developed and published by Garena on December 8, 2017, for Android and iOS devices. Later in 2019, this game gained huge popularity and became the most downloaded mobile game in the world. According to PlayerAuctions, Free Fire has around 14.16 million daily active users.
Winner: As more people are playing PUBG, he is the winner. (1-0)
Graphics and Visual Experience
PUBG Mobile
PUBG is built on Unreal Engine 4, which is why it delivers realistic graphics with fine detail. You can notice this in features like water reflections, natural lighting, dynamic shadows, and smooth vehicle drifting with proper physics. Character outfits move naturally with the wind, and grenade rebounds feel accurate when they hit walls or trees, creating a more authentic experience. Even small actions like opening, closing, or breaking doors feel close to real life.
The game also offers highly customizable settings, supporting up to 120 FPS on compatible devices. You can adjust everything from Smooth to Ultra HDR graphics. There are also useful optimization options, such as disabling shadows, lowering brightness, and reducing lag, which can improve performance by around 30–50% on lower-end devices.
Free Fire
In contrast, Garena Free Fire is built on the Unity engine, which focuses more on smooth performance than ultra-realistic visuals. Instead of aiming for lifelike graphics, Free Fire uses a lighter, slightly stylized design that makes the game run easily on low-end devices. You will notice simpler textures, less complex shadows, and faster character movements, which are all intentional to keep gameplay smooth and responsive.
Gunplay and movement feel quicker and more arcade-like compared to PUBG. Vehicle physics, character animations, and environmental interactions are less detailed, but they are optimized for speed and shorter matches. For example, recoil patterns are easier to control, and actions like jumping, running, or shooting feel more immediate rather than heavily physics-based.
One of Free Fire’s biggest strengths is its optimization. The game runs well even on devices with limited RAM and older processors. It also includes flexible graphics settings like Smooth and Standard, along with options to reduce visual effects, which helps maintain stable FPS with minimal lag. Instead of pushing for realism, Free Fire focuses on accessibility and fast-paced gameplay, making it a better choice for players who prefer quick matches and consistent performance over detailed visuals.
Winner: PUBG Mobile is the clear winner due to its realistic visuals and highly detailed graphics. (2-0)
Performance and Device Compatibility
PUBG Mobile
To run the game smoothly without overheating, you need a decent device to meet the recommended system requirements. For Example, it must have at least 4 GB of RAM and around 10 GB of free storage for maps, graphics packs, and other resources. Your device should also support at least 60 FPS; otherwise, you will likely experience heavy lag during hot drops, which can be frustrating.
I started playing at around 20 FPS in Season 16, then moved to 40 FPS, and now I play at 60 FPS. From my experience, if you have a low-end device with about 3 GB of RAM, it’s better not to install PUBG Mobile APK. Instead, you can try lighter games or go for Garena Free Fire, which runs much better on low-end devices.
Free Fire
For FF, the requirements are much more forgiving. You can run the game smoothly on a device with around 2–3 GB of RAM and a few gigabytes of free storage for basic resources. It doesn’t demand heavy graphics packs, so installation and updates are much lighter compared to PUBG.
You don’t necessarily need 60 FPS to enjoy Free Fire. Even at 30–40 FPS, the game feels playable because of its optimized design and faster pace. I’ve played it on low-end devices, and the difference is clear. It stays stable even during intense fights or hot drops, where heavier games usually start lagging or overheating.
From a practical point of view, if your device struggles with performance, Free Fire is the safer choice. It’s built to deliver smooth gameplay without pushing your hardware too hard, which makes it ideal for budget or older smartphones.
Winner: The Winner is Free Fire because of its lightweight design and better performance. (2-1)
Gameplay, Maps, and Match Pace
PUBG Mobile
PUBG is a test of patience, positioning, and strategy. Sometimes, you have to fall back and play defensively when a full squad is rushing you while you are solo. On the other hand, you need to play aggressively, especially when you are with your teammates. Strategy matters more than skills because if you are out in the open, enemies can easily kill you, so you have to move wisely from cover to cover.
Now, this game offers multiple maps, such as Miramar and Erangel, for long 30-minute fights, and recently it has introduced some quick maps like Nusa and WoW, where you can finish a match in about 10 minutes.
Free Fire
Garena Free Fire feels more like a fast arcade-style battle where everything happens quickly. You land in a compact map like Bermuda, and instead of long rotations or slow survival play, you’re pushed into fights almost immediately. With only 50 players, the action stays constant, and matches usually end within 10 to 15 minutes.
There’s not much downtime or long planning here. You loot fast, move fast, and take fights back-to-back. It’s more about quick reflexes and nonstop engagement rather than long tactical setups, which is why it feels much more aggressive and instant compared to slower Battle Royale gameplay.
Winner: PUBG takes the win here because it gives you the best of both worlds, letting you choose between a long, strategic game or a quick 10-minute fight whenever you want. (3-1)
Controls, Recoil, and Gunplay
PUBG
The gunplay here is incredibly deep. You need the best PUBG Sensitivity for your device to control that gun recoil and for a stable aim. The game also features bullet drop and bullet travel time, which means you have to lead your targets at a distance. It also offers unparalleled HUD customization and flawless gyroscope support.
Free Fire
The shooting mechanics are heavily simplified to cater to casual mobile gamers. There is a very strong default aim-assist that snaps your crosshair to the enemy’s chest. Recoil is almost negligible, and there is no bullet drop to calculate. That’s why some PUBGM players laugh and make funny videos about the comparison of the recoil of both games.
Winner: PUBG, because it has a high skill ceiling and rewarding, competitive gunplay. (4-1)
In-Game Features: Characters, Abilities, and Skins
Free Fire
It borrows elements from hero shooters. It features a massive roster of characters (like Alok, Chrono, and Skyler), each with unique active or passive abilities that can heal you, create shields, or reveal enemies. Furthermore, weapon skins in Free Fire actually boost weapon stats (like increasing fire rate or damage).
PUBGM
It keeps cosmetics separate from gameplay, so skins don’t affect health, speed, or damage. Even premium outfits like Mythic X-Suits give no competitive advantage. Gun skins such as the M416 Glacier only change visuals and effects, not performance.
Winner: PUBG wins this category for maintaining competitive integrity. Free Fire’s stat-boosting skins and powerful character abilities create an environment where players who spend money (or grind relentlessly) have a literal tactical advantage over new, free-to-play users. (5-1)
Conclusion
So, PUBG Mobile is the clear winner with a lead of 5-1. Both games are top-class, and they have Millions of Daily Active Users and thousands of creators. Both of them target different audiences, PUBG mostly has a mature audience that likes Realism and tactical gameplay, while Free Fire has a younger, more casual, and global audience. Although PUBG got more points, it did not mean it is superior, nor can you declare Free Fire as the Baap (Indian slang) of PUBG based on just a few positive things. They are both growing together with their own audience and strategies, so you should respect each other to maintain a happy gaming community.
