Anyone who has spent a quiet afternoon stacking cards in Spider Solitaire knows the pull of that last empty column, but finding a free version that saves your scores and knowing how to restore progress can be tricky. This guide cuts through the clutter to help you choose the best free Spider Solitaire app, recover lost game data, and get back to playing without paying a cent.
Free versions available: 5+ platforms (web, Android, iOS, Windows, Mac) ·
Variants supported: 1 suit, 2 suits, 4 suits ·
Most downloaded app: Spider Solitaire by Finger (100M+ on Google Play) ·
Original release: Included with Microsoft Windows 98
Quick snapshot
- Spider Solitaire uses two standard 52-card decks (Pogo (card game guide))
- Free apps exist on Google Play, Apple App Store, and browsers (Google Play (official store))
- Microsoft Solitaire Collection is free with optional premium features (Microsoft Q&A (support answer))
- Which specific app a user previously used (unless they remember) (Microsoft Q&A (support answer))
- Whether cloud save was enabled for older apps (Microsoft Q&A (support answer))
- Whether the app’s local save file is recoverable after uninstall without cloud backup (Microsoft Q&A (support answer))
- Spider Solitaire has been bundled with Windows since 1998 (Pogo (card game guide))
- Check cloud backup options before playing on a new device (Microsoft Q&A (support answer))
A summary of key facts about free Spider Solitaire:
| Fact | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Decks used | 2 standard 52-card decks | Pogo (card game guide) |
| Difficulty modes | 1 suit, 2 suits, 4 suits | SolitaireX (tracking blog) |
| Top free Android app | MobilityWare Spider Solitaire | Google Play (official store) |
| Top free iOS app | Apple’s Spider Solitaire | Apple App Store (official listing) |
| Cloud backup | Varies by app; check app settings | Microsoft Q&A (support answer) |
| 2025 app ranking published | Solitaire Bliss ranked 8 best apps | Solitaire Bliss (review blog) |
Can I play Spider Solitaire for free?
Where to play free Spider Solitaire online
- Browser-based versions require no download or registration. Sites like Solitaired.com and Solitr.com offer multiple suit options instantly.
- Google’s own search result for “solitaire” serves a free Klondike version, though not Spider Solitaire (based on Google Play (official store)).
Free Spider Solitaire apps for Android and iOS
- On Google Play, the MobilityWare Spider Solitaire app claims “easy to learn but tough to master” (Google Play (official store)).
- On iOS, Apple’s Spider Solitaire is described as offering “amazing graphics and ease of use” (Apple App Store (official listing)).
- Both are ad-supported free, with optional in-app purchases to remove ads.
Offline options for Spider Solitaire
- Most dedicated apps allow offline play after the initial download. Browser versions require an internet connection.
- For PC users, Microsoft Solitaire Collection installs locally on Windows 10/11 and works offline (Microsoft Q&A (support answer)).
The implication: free access is abundant, but the trade-off is ads. For a completely ad‑free experience, you may need a premium upgrade or a browser‑based version with a one‑time donation.
How do I access Google free Solitaire?
Playing Solitaire through Google Search
- Simply search “solitaire” or “free solitaire” on Google — a playable Klondike version appears directly in the search results. (No sign‑in required.)
- This is a classic Klondike variant, not Spider Solitaire. Importantly, it does not save progress across sessions.
Google’s solitaire is a casual diversion, not a replacement for a dedicated Spider Solitaire app if you want to track scores, use multiple suits, or play offline.
Using Google Play Games for Solitaire
- Google Play Games app includes Solitaire (Klondike) among its collection of classic card games (Google Play (official store)).
- Progress is synced to your Google account if cloud save is enabled.
Why this matters: for users who want a unified gaming profile, Google Play Games ties your Solitaire scores to your Android ID — helpful if you switch phones but only if the app itself supports the feature.
Is Microsoft Spider Solitaire free?
Microsoft Solitaire Collection and Spider Solitaire
- Microsoft Solitaire Collection is pre‑installed on Windows 10/11 and available for iOS and Android. It includes Spider Solitaire as one of five game modes (Microsoft Q&A (support answer)).
- Over 500 million people have played the collection (Microsoft’s own stated reach).
Free vs. Premium features in Microsoft Solitaire
- The free version includes ads and offers limited daily challenges.
- Premium (monthly/annual subscription) removes ads, unlocks all themes, and adds extra daily challenges and no‑ad play.
- Progress is tied to your Microsoft account — sign in to keep scores across devices (Microsoft Q&A (support answer)).
The pattern: Microsoft offers the most integrated experience for Windows users, but the free version’s ads can be annoying. Premium is optional and primarily convenience‑driven.
What is the best free Spider Solitaire app?
Four popular options, one pattern: the trade‑off between ad intrusiveness and feature depth.
| App | Platform | Ads | Cloud save | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MobilityWare Spider Solitaire | Android, iOS | Yes (removable via IAP) | Yes (Google Play/Game Center) | 1, 2, 4 |
| Apple’s Spider Solitaire | iOS | Yes (removable via IAP) | Yes (Game Center) | 1, 2, 4 |
| Microsoft Solitaire Collection | Windows, Android, iOS | Yes (removable via subscription) | Yes (Microsoft account) | 1, 2, 4 |
| Brainium Spider Solitaire | Android, iOS | None | No (device only) | 1, 2, 4 |
Top-rated free Spider Solitaire apps for Android
- MobilityWare Spider Solitaire: 4.5‑star rating on Google Play with over 100 million installs (Google Play (official store)).
- Brainium Spider Solitaire: ad‑free from the start, but lacks cloud sync.
Best free Spider Solitaire for iOS
- Apple’s own Spider Solitaire: integrated with Game Center for syncing, rated highly for graphics (Apple App Store (official listing)).
Browser-based free Spider Solitaire vs. dedicated apps
- Browser (e.g., Solitaire Bliss) offers instant access, no storage use, but no offline play and no progress persistence across sessions.
- Dedicated apps take up storage but provide offline play, cloud saves, and more game features.
The trade‑off: for frequent players, a dedicated app with cloud sync is worth the minor storage cost. Casual players may prefer the no‑commitment browser version.
Upsides
- Multiple free options across all platforms
- Cloud saves are available in top apps
- Browser versions require zero download
Downsides
- Ads are common in free apps
- Cloud sync is not universal
- Progress lost if app is deleted without backup
How do I get my old Solitaire back?
Restore saved scores and progress in Spider Solitaire
- Identify the app you previously used — check your device’s app library (Google Play > My apps & games > Library; iOS App Store > Account > Purchased).
- Reinstall the same app from your library. If the app supported cloud saves (Google Play Games, Apple Game Center, or Microsoft account), sign in to the same account on your new device (Microsoft Q&A (support answer)).
- Check the app’s settings for a “Backup” or “Cloud” toggle — enable it if present (Microsoft Q&A (support answer)).
- If the app has no cloud sync but the local save file survived reinstalling, progress might be restored automatically. Otherwise, treat the lost score as closed and begin tracking wins manually (SolitaireX (tracking blog)).
- For Microsoft Solitaire Collection, progress is tied to your Microsoft account — sign in at Microsoft account (official login) to restore.
Find previously installed Solitaire apps on your device
- On Android, go to Google Play > My apps & games > Library to see previously installed apps.
- On iOS, go to App Store > Account > Purchased.
- If the app appears, reinstall it – the local save file may still exist if the app was not wiped.
Recover deleted game data (Android/iOS)
- Android: Google Play Games may have backed up scores automatically – open Play Games app and check your game library.
- iOS: Game Center retains achievements and leaderboard scores, but individual games may not restore full progress if the app’s local data was deleted.
- Microsoft Solitaire Collection: progress is tied to your Microsoft account – sign in at Microsoft account (official login) to restore (Microsoft Q&A (support answer)).
Confirmed facts vs. What remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Spider Solitaire is available for free on multiple platforms (Google Play (official store)).
- Microsoft Spider Solitaire is free with ads in the Solitaire Collection (Microsoft Q&A (support answer)).
- Google provides a free Klondike Solitaire via search, not Spider Solitaire (Google Play (official store)).
What remains unclear
- Which specific app a user previously used (unless they remember).
- Whether cloud save was enabled for older apps (Microsoft Q&A (support answer)).
- Whether the app’s local save file is recoverable after uninstall without cloud backup.
These uncertainties highlight the importance of enabling cloud saves early.
What players say
Spider Solitaire reimagines the timeless card game with minimalist elegance and mindful gameplay.
— Developer of Spider Solitaire by Finger (Google Play description)
Spider Solitaire is one of the oldest and most popular solitaire games.
— AARP Games
The verdict from both developer and a trusted authority: this game has a long legacy and continues to be refined for modern platforms.
For anyone searching for a free Spider Solitaire app that won’t disappear tomorrow, the choice is clear: pick a well‑known app with cloud backup enabled from day one. For casual players, a browser version is fine. For competitive players who want to restore old scores, stick to Microsoft or MobilityWare with cloud sync turned on — or accept that without it, you’re starting fresh.
Related reading: Best Free Spider Solitaire Apps & How to Restore Old Game Progress · Best Free Spider Solitaire Apps & How to Restore Old Game Progress
For players looking to jump straight into the game, best free Spider Solitaire apps offer a great starting point without any download hassle.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 1 suit, 2 suit, and 4 suit Spider Solitaire?
1-suit uses one suit (e.g., all spades), the easiest. 2-suit adds a second suit (e.g., spades and hearts), doubling complexity. 4-suit uses all four suits – the classic, hardest mode (SolitaireX (tracking blog)).
How many cards are used in Spider Solitaire?
Two standard 52-card decks, for a total of 104 cards (Pogo (card game guide)).
Can I play Spider Solitaire offline?
Yes, most dedicated apps (MobilityWare, Microsoft, Apple) offer offline play after the initial download. Browser versions require internet (Google Play (official store)).
What are the basic rules of Spider Solitaire?
Build complete 13-card sequences from King down to Ace in the tableau, using two decks. Only complete sequences can be moved to the foundation (Pogo (card game guide)).
Is Spider Solitaire harder than Klondike?
Generally yes – Spider requires more strategy because you build sequences in‑suit, and the board often gets stuck faster with fewer free moves (SolitaireX (tracking blog)).
How to win at Spider Solitaire?
Focus on uncovering hidden cards early, keep columns balanced, and avoid moving cards to empty columns unless necessary. Patience and practice improve win rates.
Does Spider Solitaire have an undo feature?
Most apps include an undo button, often limited to a few steps. Browser versions may have it as well – check the game’s toolbar.
Why does my Spider Solitaire game keep crashing?
Crashing is often due to insufficient device memory, outdated app version, or software incompatibility. Update the app, restart your device, or check the app’s support forum.
Ethan Cooper is Senior Reporter at Oz Reviewly, covering breaking stories and explainers.