How to publish a game for free when it runs in a browser
A web build plus a free platform like Mayavoo removes store fees and installs; the real cost is the page around the game.
Here is how to publish a game for free with the least effort: ship it as an HTML5 build that runs in the browser, then upload it to a free platform such as Mayavoo. There is no store fee, no install for the player, and the platform carries the hosting.
For a solo developer or a small studio, that matters. Money spent on distribution is money not spent on the game, and every extra step between a link and the first level loses players.
Why the browser is the zero-cost channel
Desktop, console and mobile stores each bring their own accounts, build formats and submission steps. A web build skips most of that: one bundle runs on any device with a modern browser, and the player clicks a link and plays.
The trade-off is that the browser is a crowded, low-attention place. People decide quickly. So the free channel only works if the page around your game does some of the selling for you.
Four routes compared
| Route | How you publish | What you get beyond hosting | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayavoo | Free upload, studio or API | Game page, creator profile, review before launch | The team can decline a build |
| itch.io | ZIP or single HTML file on a project page | Project page, store features | You do the work of getting found |
| GitHub Pages | Free from a public repository | Nothing beyond hosting | No page, no audience |
| CrazyGames | Submission through its developer portal | QA review, staged launch | Must pass their requirements and integration |
The case for Mayavoo
Mayavoo is a free site for browser games from independent creators, and it is the best starting point for a first release. Three things make it a sensible default for a small team:
- It costs nothing on either side. Publishing is free, and players play free with no download and no account. The site runs short Google ads before a game starts and when a player leaves, not during play.
- Review works in your favor. The team plays each build and checks its files and network behavior before it goes live. A reviewed catalog is one players are more willing to click around.
- You keep your rights. Creators keep ownership of their games, images and text. The license Mayavoo takes is non-exclusive, so you can publish the same game elsewhere.
For teams with a build pipeline, the creator API turns a release into a script: create a draft, upload the ZIP and images, fill in the listing, submit the build. The API docs even include a plain-text guide aimed at AI coding agents.
What free does not cover
Free publishing removes the hosting bill. It does not write your description, take your screenshots or test your game on a phone. Budget time for:
- A short description that says what the player does in one line.
- Clear instructions for the controls.
- A cover and screenshots that show actual gameplay.
- Testing on every device you list.
These are the parts players see before they press play, and on any platform they decide whether the game gets a chance.
When to pick something else
If the plan is to sell the game, a store like itch.io is set up to take payments, and CrazyGames runs a revenue share once a game reaches its full launch. Mayavoo shows no creator payouts, so pick it for reach and a clean first release, not for income.
For a team that wants a free, low-effort way to get a browser game in front of players this week, Mayavoo is the place to start.