Comparison

NMJL Online vs BamBuddies

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

NMJL Online

Features
Read full description

Play Official NMJL Mah Jongg versus other players online or polish your skills against seven different AI players. Includes a detailed interactive tutorial for new players. Each year since 1937, the National Mah Jongg League has mailed out cards containing their "Official Standard Hands and Rules" for the year. In the spring, members eagerly await the arrival of the new card, which brings fresh challenges for players. Now, the National Mah Jongg League has created NMJL Online(tm), its very own official online version of the tabletop game. Anyone with the official annual card plus an online game membership can play NMJL Online. Select from several colorful visual themes and four beautiful tile sets. Optional male and female voices and sound effects help players keep up the pace. If three friends aren’t available to play, meet new friends in the lobby or select from a wide range of AI players to add to your game. In addition, if a player drops out or loses their Internet connection, AI players can take over and keep the game moving until the original player is able to re-join. Downloading the app is free. Those without a membership can still play through the tutorial. In order to play the online game, however, you must purchase the physical card and online game membership from the National Mah Jongg League. An Internet connection is also required. This app includes auto-renewing subscription options and is offered under the terms of the standard Apple End-User License Agreement, which may be viewed here: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/. Additional details of our Terms of Service may be viewed here: https://faqs.nmjlonline.com/legal/NMJL-Online_Terms-of-Service.html

About

BamBuddies

Organize mahjong games with friends or find new players in your area. Schedule recurring games, coordinate items, and manage tables easily. Connect with the mahjong community and keep the tradition alive.

Highlights
  • Discover local mahjong games
  • Host games quickly
  • Build and manage player groups
  • Real-time game updates
  • Item coordination for events
  • Table management
  • Calendar integration
Features
Read full description

BamBuddies is the social home for mahjong lovers. Whether you're a seasoned player looking for a regular crew or new to the tiles and eager to learn, BamBuddies connects you with local games and players. KEY FEATURES • Find Games — Discover open mahjong games in your neighborhood. Filter by date, skill level, and distance. • Host a Game — Create a game in under a minute. Invite friends, set the style (American, Chinese, Hong Kong), pick a spot, and go. • Build Your Crew — Start or join a Group to keep your regulars together. Schedule recurring games, chat in group threads. • Real-Time Updates — Get notified when your games fill up, when someone bails, or when a friend invites you. • Bring-Item Coordination — Who's bringing snacks? Who's got drinks? Assign and claim items so nothing's forgotten. • Table Management — Running multiple tables? Assign players to tables with one tap. • Calendar Integration — Add games to your calendar, check for conflicts before you accept an invite. Built by and for the mahjong community. No bots, no ads disguised as features, no engagement hacks — just a clean way to get people together over tiles. Whether you play American mahjong at Mom's kitchen table or Chinese mahjong with your monthly crew, BamBuddies helps you keep the tradition going.

Screenshots

NMJL Online4 screens
BamBuddies4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BamBuddies at none against NMJL Online's 6. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. NMJL Online sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. BamBuddies asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
NMJL Online versus BamBuddies: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNMJL OnlineBamBuddies
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.9 (43 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—43 — better
Update frequency—Every 3 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size118 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperQuicksilver Software, Inc.Caribou LLC

In-app purchases

6 purchases

NMJL Online

Subscriptions3
  • Online Subscription (Monthly)$4.991 Month
  • Online Subscription (Quarterly)$12.993 Months
  • Online Subscription (Yearly)$49.991 Year
One-time3
  • 1-Mo Subscription, NonRenewing$4.99
  • 3-Mo Subscription, NonRenewing$12.99
  • 1-Yr Subscription, NonRenewing$49.99
None

BamBuddies

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NMJL Online free?
NMJL Online is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BamBuddies free?
BamBuddies is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do NMJL Online or BamBuddies have ads?
Neither NMJL Online nor BamBuddies shows ads.

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