A lot of online slots are the same, right? They all spin, have three to five reels, and have various animations. At a cursory look, that’s what some might think. However, the trained eye knows there’s a big difference. There are tons of game developers out there and they all have different styles, bonus rounds, graphics, animations, and RTP’s. So that begs the question: which online casino software providers make the best online slots? To answer this, we spent hours testing, playing, and reviewing various games. Yes, it’s quite time-consuming but we enjoy doing it. We pitted Microgaming, NetEnt, and Playtech against each other. Here’s a look at how these three top developers stack up.
How Microgaming, NetEnt, and Playtech Stand Out in the Casino Sphere
Microgaming, NetEnt, and Playtech are among the industry leaders in the slots gaming space. We’ll start our evaluation by looking at the key strengths of each provider.
Breaking down the defining characteristics of these top providers
Provider | Microgaming | Playtech | NetEnt |
Founded | 1994 | 1999 | 1996 |
Popular Games | Mega Moolah, Thunderstruck II, Immortal Romance | Age of the Gods series, Gladiator, Buffalo Blitz | Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, Mega Fortune |
Game Types | Slots, Table Games, Live Dealer, Bingo | Slots, Table Games, Live Dealer, Poker | Slots, Table Games, Live Dealer, Video Poker |
Progressive Jackpots | Yes (Mega Moolah, Major Millions) | Yes (Age of the Gods, Jackpot Giant) | Yes (Mega Fortune, Hall of Gods) |
Technological Innovation | VR slots, branded games, cross-platform integration | HTML5 development, branded slots, AI-driven games | Advanced graphics, mobile-first approach |
Licensing | UKGC, MGA, others | UKGC, MGA, others | UKGC, MGA, others |
Special Features | Innovative bonus features, themed slots | Marvel series, DC Comics themed slots | High-quality graphics, innovative gameplay |
Security | Secure encryption, RNG certified | Secure encryption, RNG certified | Secure encryption, RNG certified |
Best Known For | Massive catalogue of games | Best game themes | Smooth and sleek games |
Which provider has the best progressive jackpots games?
This is a tough call as all three make awesome progressive jackpot games. We have to give the edge to Micrograming here though, as Mega Moolah has been one of the most generous games of all time. It once paid out a player $23.6 million, which is not only a Guinness World Record, it’s a record that still stands today (for an online slot win).
Ready to Play? Give Microgaming, Playtech, and NetEnt Games a Whirl
If you’re looking to try a top game from each of these elite online casino software providers, here are three awesome options. We picked one of our favorites from each brand for you to try. Remember, with each brand, you can try the demo version before playing with cash. That gives you the opportunity to see what it’s like before committing yourself.
Our favorite NetEnt games we think you’d enjoy
These guys have a lot of good ones to choose from. The familiar green loading bar with the company logo flashes when you fire up any of their games. From there, the games run like butter. There’s never any hiccups or lag, and the animations look really sharp. If you like big paydays, Divine Fortune might be your flavour. If you like familiarity, games like Narcos, Jumanji or Guns ‘n Roses will pique your interest. Our personal favourite is Jumanji. If you’re looking for more games from this provider, you’ll find almost all of them at these NetEnt casinos in Canada.
Reviewed Game | Recommended Casino | Welcome Bonus |
Divine Fortune | Play at CashWin | 100% Up To $1,500 + 50 Free Spins |
Guns ‘ N Roses | Play at BetPlays | 370% Bonus + 750 Free Spins |
Jumanji | Play at DRIP Casino | Welcome Bonus: 150% up to $600 |
Top Playtech games you need to checkout
Playtech produces a large variety of games, there’s so much to choose from. Since we’re telling you about our favourites, we’d recommend Queen of the Pyramids: Cash Collect, Fortune Fortune: Thundershots and Anaconda Wild II. All of the best Playtech casinos should offer these games.
Reviewed Game | Recommended Casino | Welcome Bonus |
Queen of the Pyramids: Cash Collect | Play at Joker8 | $750 + 200 Free Spins or 50% up to $1,500 |
Fortune Fortune: Thundershots | Play at HellSpin | Up To $5200 + 150 Free Spins |
Anaconda Wild II | Play at CashWin | 100% Up To $1,500 + 50 Free Spins |
💡 Did you know that Playtech have made Marvel-themed slots like The Avengers and The Incredible Hulk? They’ve also done games like Pink Panther, The Mummy and Monty Python’s Spamalot.
Our top picks of Microgaming games you should try
Who doesn’t love a big win from time to time? We do. That’s why Mega Moolah is our favorite from the Microgaming menu. Sure, the RTP is a touch low at just over 88%. However, this online slot ranks among the most popular with online gamers. Many Microgaming casinos will have it, our other favourites include Thunderstruck II and Break da Bank Again.
Reviewed Game | Recommended Casino | Welcome Bonus |
Mega Moolah | Play at LeoVegas | 100% Up To $1,000 +100 Free Spins |
Thunderstruck II | Play at CrazyFox | Daily 20% Cashback |
Break da Bank Again | Play at SkyCrown | Up to $3,000 +350 Free Spins |
Exploring the Gaming Experience with These Three Software Giants
So, you skipped down to this section to get the quick answer? No problem, we got you – we all have shorter attention spans these days. Here’s the short version:
What do players love most about Microgaming, NetEnt, and Playtech’s games?
Let’s take a look at one redeeming characteristic (maybe the one they’re known for) from each if the big game providers.
- Microgaming: Players love the quantity of games and the progressive jackpots.
- NetEnt: Players love just how smoothly their games operate – regardless of device.
- Playtech: Players love the fact that they have partnered with so many brands, to make movie/pop-culture-themed online slots like Jumanji, Guns’N Roses, the Avengers and loads more.
Take away: Which Software Provider is the Best for Me?
A lot of people wonder which online casino software provider is the top dog but at the end of the day, it’s more of a personal choice than anything else. The three brands all make fantastic games. There isn’t one that has the best mobile slots, over the other — they all handle that well.
Whether you’re looking for casual spins or are aiming to win big, all three will have games to satisfy what you’re looking for. The best thing to do is to play through the games yourself and see how they feel to you. You really can’t go wrong with any but the more you play, the more you’ll see the small nuances and settle into some games that make you comfortable.