QUICK ANSWER
Over 2.3 million players use it. Nine game modes — X01 variants (301/501/701), Cricket, Bob’s 27, 121 Checkout, Around The Clock, Shanghai, plus three training modes — all free. Online matchmaking works for both steel-tip and soft-tip boards, with Ray Martin calling your scores. The free version covers everything most players will ever need; you only upgrade to Ultimate (£4.99/month or £29.99/year) when you want per-leg training stats synced across devices.
For PC or browser scoring without a download, Lidarts is the best free alternative. We tested all five apps over 30 days on a bristle board — full breakdown below, winner first.
FIND YOUR FIT
| All-round daily use | DartCounter |
| Serious stats and training | Pro Darts Counter |
| PC / browser scoring, completely free | Lidarts |
| Automated camera scoring (home rig) | Autodarts |
| Solo practice with AI opponent | Scoredarts |
| Electronic / soft-tip board with built-in scoring | Check your board first — it may not need an app |
All 5 Apps Compared
METHODOLOGY
Tested over 30 days of home practice on a bristle board, using an iPhone 15 Pro (iOS 26) and Pixel 8 (Android 15). Online multiplayer tested against a live opponent for DartCounter, Pro Darts Counter, and Lidarts. Autodarts was evaluated via official documentation, developer community resources, and a hands-on demo with a camera rig — not a full home install. Scoredarts tested on Android. Prices verified against App Store, Google Play, and official developer sites in April 2026.
| App | Platform | Price | Human Online Play | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 DartCounter | iOS, Android | Free + £29.99/yr | Yes | Most players |
| Pro Darts Counter | iOS, Android | Free + $0.99 one-time | Yes | Stat-focused players |
| Autodarts | Web / Desktop | Free software (hardware ~£100–500) | Yes | Automated camera-scoring rigs |
| Lidarts | Browser only | Free | Yes | PC players, zero cost |
| Scoredarts | iOS, Android | Free | No | Solo practice with AI |
Prices correct as of April 2026. DartCounter pricing in EUR at source; GBP approximate. App Store and Google Play links may be affiliate links.
#1 — DartCounter
 |
#1
DartCounter
|
TOP PICK |
Nine game modes, a proper online match system, and Ray Martin calling your scores — all on the free version. The UI is fast and uncluttered, which matters when you’re trying to key in a score mid-leg without fumbling. Online matchmaking is reliable and the tournament-style match intros are a nice touch that other apps don’t bother with. The only things gated behind the Ultimate upgrade are per-leg training averages and cloud-synced stat history — genuinely useful if you train daily, easy to skip if you don’t.
Pros
- Native iOS and Android apps
- Nine game modes: X01, Cricket, Bob’s 27, 121 Checkout, Around The Clock, Shanghai, training modes
- Online multiplayer with matchmaking and tournaments
- Professional voice calling by Ray Martin
- Clean, fast UI with no clutter
Cons
- Per-leg training stats require Ultimate subscription
- Online multiplayer, cloud sync, and tournament entry require a free account
- Known bugs in the in-app upgrade flow
Pricing shown in GBP approximate from EUR source — verify current price in App Store before purchase.
OUR VERDICT
The best all-around scoring app for most players
DartCounter is the most complete mobile scoring app available. The free version handles all game modes — you won’t need to pay until you’re actively chasing per-leg training stats. When that time comes, the Ultimate upgrade is fair. Nothing else on mobile matches the total package.
THE SCOUT’S TAKE
DartCounter is the obvious pick. It’s not even close for casual and intermediate players — the free version is genuinely complete and the match experience is the best on mobile. If you’re someone who logs every session and wants per-leg granularity, look at Pro Darts Counter first; 99 cents for a one-time unlock and a stronger stat suite is hard to argue with. For everyone else: DartCounter on your phone, Lidarts in your browser if you’re ever on a PC. Autodarts is technically impressive but it’s a hardware project more than an app — you’re committing to cameras, mounting, and a compute device before it scores a single dart, and that’s a different decision entirely. Scoredarts works well for AI practice but can’t replace the feeling of playing a real person online, which is where most people’s motivation actually comes from.
The Runners-Up
#2 — Pro Darts Counter
 |
#2
Pro Darts Counter
|
BEST VALUE |
If you’re tracking your game properly — per-leg averages, checkout percentages, session trends — Pro Darts Counter is where you’ll end up. The stat depth goes noticeably further than DartCounter’s free tier, and the app is effectively free to use in full. The only paid element is a $0.99 one-time purchase to remove a single post-game ad. Online play works, there’s a practice mode with checkout challenges, and the app has a strong following among European players who train seriously. It’s not as polished as DartCounter and the UI is busier, but if the data is what you’re after, you won’t miss the polish.
Pros
- Detailed per-session and per-leg statistics
- Checkout percentage tracking built in
- Online multiplayer with leagues
- Practice mode with checkout challenges
- Effectively free — $0.99 one-time removes one post-game ad
Cons
- UI is busier than DartCounter
- Strongest community in German-speaking markets — smaller international pool
- Occasional disconnect issues on iOS during online play
#3 — Autodarts
 |
#3
Autodarts
|
HARDWARE PICK |
Three USB cameras mount on a ring around your board. The software watches where your darts land and scores automatically — no tapping a phone between legs, no manual entry, just throw. The software itself is completely free with no subscription. What you’re paying for is the hardware: a DIY camera kit runs roughly £100–300, or you can buy the pre-built Autodarts Vantage unit for around £500. Once it’s calibrated it connects to online lobbies and bridges to other platforms via darts-extern. It sits at #3 because it’s a home installation project more than a scoring app — the hardware commitment puts it in a different category for most people.
Pros
- Fully automatic dart detection — no manual score entry
- Free software, no subscription, no recurring fees
- Online multiplayer with live video
- Bridges to other platforms (Lidarts, etc.) via darts-extern integration
Cons
- Requires hardware: 3 USB cameras + LED ring + compute device (£100–300 DIY, £500+ pre-built)
- Web and desktop only — no native mobile app
- Setup and calibration takes 30–60 minutes
- Occasional detection errors on crowded board segments
#4 — Lidarts
 |
#4
Lidarts
|
BUDGET PICK |
Open your browser, go to lidarts.org, and you’re scoring. No download, no account needed, completely free — and because it’s open source and volunteer-run, there are genuinely no ads and no upsells waiting around any corner. X01 variants and Cricket are covered, online lobbies let you challenge opponents immediately, and it works on any device. The trade-off is that the UI looks like it was built in 2018 (because it was), and stat tracking is minimal compared to the dedicated apps. But for quick online games from a PC, nothing is simpler or cheaper.
Pros
- Completely free, forever — no upsells
- No download — runs in any browser
- Open source (GitHub), volunteer-run, no ads
- Online lobbies and open challenges without an account
- Works on PC, phone, and tablet
Cons
- Browser-only — no native iOS or Android app
- UI is functional but dated compared to native apps
- Stat tracking is limited compared to DartCounter
- Small volunteer team — occasional server capacity issues during peak hours
#5 — Scoredarts
 |
#5
Scoredarts
|
SOLO PRACTICE |
Scoredarts is worth knowing about if you practise alone. The DartBot AI plays at adjustable difficulty across X01 variants and Cricket, and session graphs show how your average is moving over time. It has more going on than it gets credit for. The issue is that it has no human online play at all — no matchmaking, no lobbies, no opponents. For a roundup where online play is central to most readers’ needs, that’s a hard ceiling.
Pros
- DartBot AI opponent at adjustable difficulty
- Stat tracking with session graphs
- Native iOS and Android apps
- Multiple X01 variants and Cricket
- Free — no account required to start
Cons
- No human online multiplayer
- No real-opponent community or leagues
- AI can’t replicate the pressure of a live match
FAQs
What is the best free darts scoring app?
DartCounter on the free plan. All nine game modes work without paying anything — you only need the upgrade if you want per-leg training stats and synced history across devices. For PC or browser play, Lidarts is completely free with no ads and no account required.
Can I play darts online with a scoring app?
Yes — DartCounter, Pro Darts Counter, Autodarts, and Lidarts all support online play against real opponents. You enter your score each turn and the app keeps both players in sync. Autodarts is the exception: cameras detect where your darts land automatically. Scoredarts doesn’t offer human online play.
Do darts scoring apps work for soft-tip darts?
All five apps support soft-tip scoring. Since you’re entering scores manually, the app has no idea what kind of dart you threw. Autodarts is the exception — its cameras are calibrated for a bristle board and would need reconfiguring for a soft-tip surface.
Is Autodarts worth the hardware investment?
Only if you’ve already committed to a dedicated home setup. The technology works well — consistent detection, free software, no subscriptions — but £100–500 upfront plus an hour of calibration is a real barrier. For most home players, DartCounter delivers more day-to-day value. If you’re planning a full board installation and want hands-free scoring, Autodarts is worth looking into seriously.
Which darts app is best for tracking improvement over time?
Pro Darts Counter, and it’s not particularly close. Per-leg averages, checkout percentage by session, multi-session trends — all for 99 cents one-time. DartCounter’s Ultimate tier covers most players’ needs, but if tracking is the main reason you’re downloading an app, Pro Darts Counter is the better tool.
Does DartCounter work without an internet connection?
Yes. Local games and all game modes work fully offline. You only need a connection for matchmaking, tournaments, and cross-device stat sync — and those features also require a free account.
Do I need a scoring app if I have an electronic dartboard?
Not necessarily. Most electronic boards from Gran Board, Target Nexus, and similar brands have their own scoring built in or a companion app. Check what your board already does before downloading anything. If it’s missing online play or training modes, DartCounter or Pro Darts Counter can fill that gap without interfering with the board’s own scoring.
Can I use a scoring app to practise alone without an opponent?
Yes. Every app here supports solo play. Scoredarts is the most solo-focused — the DartBot AI adjusts to your level and it’s designed around single-player sessions. DartCounter and Pro Darts Counter both have dedicated training modes (121 Checkout, Around The Clock, Shanghai) for structured solo practice. Lidarts and Autodarts let you play and track scores without an opponent too.
Which App Should You Download?
DartCounter is the right call for most people. The free version covers everything you’ll need for months of regular play — download it, throw some legs, and upgrade to Ultimate only when you find yourself actually wanting more training data between sessions. If that stat depth is the goal from day one, Pro Darts Counter’s 99-cent unlock is genuinely better value.
If you’re setting up a home board and want the full connected experience, read our guide to choosing the right dartboard before committing to a hardware scoring system — the board and tech need to match. For finishing strategy once you’ve got the app running, the darts checkout calculator covers every route from 170 down to 2. And if you’re still picking your first set, our guide to the best darts for beginners covers matched sets built for players just getting started.
