Spyfall vs Who's Lying?: which spy game should you play?
Spyfall is a modern classic. It came out of Russia, became a hit at game nights everywhere, and kicked off a whole family of “find the faker” games. Who's Lying? is our spin on the same idea, built for a room with a TV, or a group chat of friends in different cities.
How Spyfall works
Everyone gets a card showing the same location, say, a submarine. One player's card just says SPY. Players take turns asking each other questions (“What would you wear here?”), trying to sound like they know where they are without giving it away. Anyone can call an accusation. The spy can stop the round at any moment and guess the location. The base game plays 3 to 8, and Spyfall 2 stretches to 12 with the option of two spies.
How Who's Lying? works
Each case has a cartoonish crime and an evidence board of 16 possibilities on the TV: the weapon, the room, the getaway vehicle, the motive. Everyone's phone shows which one is the secret, except the Liar's. Instead of open questions, each player gives a single word. Two clue rounds by default, then you argue, then everyone votes on their phone. A tie lets the Liar walk. Caught Liars get one guess at the secret to steal the case.
| Spyfall | Who's Lying? | |
|---|---|---|
| What you need | The card game | A browser on any TV or laptop, plus phones |
| Players | 3–8 (Spyfall 2: up to 12) | 3–10 |
| How you give clues | Open questions and answers | One word per turn |
| Voting | Out loud, by accusation | Secret vote on phones |
| Over a video call | Awkward without the cards | Built in: remote mode runs on phones |
| Cost | Buy the box | Launch Pack, $5 once for the host |
Which one should you play?
Honestly, if your group are big talkers and you already own Spyfall, keep playing it. The open questions give room for long, ridiculous answers, and that's half the fun.
Who's Lying? is tighter. One word per turn means quiet players aren't put on the spot, rounds are quicker, and nobody has to remember who asked what. The secret vote also stops the loudest person from steering everyone. And since it runs on phones, you can play with cousins in another country without anyone dealing cards.
Tips that work in both
If you know the secret, your clue should make sense to people who also know it, and to nobody else. If you're the faker, go late, steal the vibe of the clues before you, and keep it vague. And watch for the person who agrees with everyone a little too quickly.
New to the genre? Our imposter game rules guide covers the paper version you can play tonight with no equipment at all.
16 suspects on the TV, a secret on every phone, one Liar. 3 to 10 players.
Play Who's Lying?No group handy? Try Wordy Birdy solo, free, in 10 seconds →Questions
Is there a free Spyfall online?
There are fan-made web versions of Spyfall. Who's Lying? on Hangtime is a different, Spyfall-style game that's part of the Launch Pack ($5 once for the host; players never pay).
How many players do you need for Spyfall?
The base game plays 3 to 8. Spyfall 2 supports up to 12.
Can you play a spy game over Zoom?
Yes. Who's Lying? has a remote mode where the board, your secret and the vote all show on your phone, so the call is just for the arguing.
Is Who's Lying? affiliated with Spyfall?
No. It's Hangtime's own game, inspired by the same kind of hidden-role fun.