Dota 2 vs League of Legends: Which MOBA should you play in 2025?

That the Dota 2 vs League of Legends debate shows no sign of stopping is testament to both titles’ staying power and quality. 

However, League of Legends vs Dota 2 isn’t a straightforward comparison, which is why this article exists. While the easy answer to the question of what you should play is ‘both’, that’s a little disingenuous, because you’re likely wanting to commit to one or the other, and they are different.

With that in mind, we go through the key things you need to know about the question of Dota 2 or LoL below: from an initial direct comparison of the key details, to a specific look at heroes, maps, a look at each title’s esports scene, and (ultimately) we’ll help you to decide whether it’s League of Legends or Dota 2 you want to pick up. 

The top-line, direct comparison overview of Dota 2 vs LoL is this: Dota 2 has a far steeper learning curve, while League of Legends is more welcoming for beginners. That general theme carries over in terms of complexity of gameplay, strategies, heroes, and maps. 

Dota 2 has more strategic matches, and Dota 2 heroes require more time to learn than the League of Legends champions. Additionally, League of Legends gameplay is generally faster and less micro-dependent, meaning it’s easier to pick up.

So if you’re looking at League of Legends or Dota 2, and you’ve not played a MOBA before, LoL would be the more obvious choice to get used to in a shorter timeframe, and an easier option if you want a game you can jump into on a more casual basis.

Considering the more popular of the two games for a Dota 2 vs LoL 2025 comparison means looking at the active player count. 

For this, a quick look at Steam Charts gives the view that the Dota 2 player count is generally several hundred thousand per month. 

However, League of Legends isn’t available on Steam, making a direct comparison from the same source impossible. Regardless, various sources suggest the monthly active League of Legends player count is well over 100 million. That’s a massive difference and highlights a dominance in player popularity for LoL when comparing Dota 2 vs League.

That’s the general overview and player numbers covered. Below, we jump into some specifics for Dota 2 vs League of Legends.

Dota 2 has ‘heroes’, while League of Legends heroes are called ‘champions’. With the nomenclature in place, there are 126 Dota 2 heroes and 170 League of Legends champions. While neither lacks in variety, the roster is larger for LoL. 

League of Legends characters are divided into the roles of: Top, Jungle, Mid, ADC (Attack Damage Carries, also known as ‘Bot’), and Support. Check out our LoL roles breakdown for more info. In comparison, Dota 2 opts for Hard Carry, Midlaner, Offlaner, Soft Support, and Hard Support. Our Dota 2 roles explainer covers each of those in depth. 

Regardless of role, pushing to the enemy team’s ‘base’ is key in Dota 2 maps and League of Legends maps. Both are different, as you may expect, given Dota 2’s steeper learning curve and LoL’s easier accessibility. However, Dota 2’s maps are actually ‘simpler’ in one respect, being symmetrical, while LoL’s maps are asymmetrical.

Beyond this, the Dota 2 map has more elements that impact gameplay. Not only is overall map control incredibly important for winning, but there is more interaction with and impact from specific aspects of the map. Trees can be destroyed, day and night cycles are a factor, and the darkened ‘jungle’ area is broader. 

For LoL’s maps, lane control and winning team fights are more important than general ‘map control’; there is less jungle, no day/night cycle, and less interactivity with the map itself. 

Unsurprisingly, the more in-depth Dota 2 gameplay and the more accessible LoL gameplay both make for excellent esports viewing. LoL and Dota 2 esports scenes are thriving with big fanbases (LoL’s is arguably bigger due to its higher popularity), and several high-profile tournaments bring the best players together throughout the year. 

In a range of competitions for Dota 2, the Esports World Cup and The International are key tournaments. For LoL, the Mid-Season Invitational and the World Championship are top picks from the calendar. Top Dota 2 teams include the likes of Team Liquid (Grand Champions of 2024’s The International), Tundra Esports, and Team Spirit. Across the LoL schedule of tournaments, teams include the likes of Gen.G eSports, Hanwha Life eSports, and T1. Some teams compete across both, though, Team Liquid being one example.

Perhaps the biggest and most noticeable difference between Dota 2 and League is accessibility. And, honestly, there’s little debate regarding which is more accessible for new players. League of Legends wins in this regard because it is easier to pick up and learn, while Dota 2 may be more rewarding for existing MOBA players who want a more in-depth experience. 

Neither Dota 2 nor LoL are demanding games by modern standards, and gaming PCs built using current or the last couple of generations of PC components will have no trouble running either game. 

With the League of Legends release date being in 2009 and a Dota 2 release date in 2013, systems built in the last ten years are highly likely to more than cover the Windows PC requirements below. 

There are some differences in requirements of course, and comparing Dota 2 vs LoL graphics highlights some of the technical and stylistic differences between them. DOTA 2 was released four years after LoL and requires more performance (not much by today’s standards), but it also has a more detailed and less cartoon-like appearance. 

As with most elements regarding League of Legends vs Dota 2, the pricing models are somewhat similar, but there are key differences. Yes, both are free to play, but for DOTA 2, all heroes are free from the start. 

The Dota Plus monthly subscription costs around $4 per month and offers further hero progression, items, rewards, and more. The game’s Battle Passes also offer rewards, and that revenue feeds into the prize pool for The International esports event. Conversely, LoL charges in-game or real-world currency to unlock heroes, cosmetic items, and other rewards.

Despite both being MOBA titles, there’s more than a four-year gap in release date that is a difference when comparing Dota 2 vs League of Legends. The titles are both popular, but while LoL is the clear winner in terms of players and global following, the depth and strategic nature of Dota 2 are unmatched. Both have healthy competitive scenes, though, and it’s up to you if you want accessibility and ease of playing (LoL), or a steeper learning curve and added depth (Dota 2).