TL;DR
- Honor of Kings became big in China before moving to a global audience in 2024.
- Mobile Legends Bang Bang exploded onto the mobile gaming scene in 2016 with a worldwide launch.
- HOK emphasises strategic gameplay, while MLBB delivers fast-paced action.
- Both games are 5v5, feature similar maps, and share identical role systems, inspired by League of Legends and Dota.
- Honor of Kings is popular among daily active users, primarily in China, while MLBB leads globally in downloads and viewership.
Mobile MOBAs are not only competing with other mobile games but are taking on genre giants like LoL and Dota in terms of viewership. There are far more smartphones than PCs, so it’s no surprise mobile MOBAs have found a vast audience. Mobile Legends Bang Bang (MLBB) and Honor of Kings (HoK) are leading the charge.
With both juggernauts of mobile gaming offering similar gameplay, many players are left wondering, “Honor of Kings vs MLBB, which is better?” We take a deep dive into what makes these MOBAs different and which one is better suited for your tastes and preferences.
Honor of Kings
Tencent’s Timi Studios developed Honor of Kings, which was initially released in China in 2015. Simultaneously, Tencent released a global version of the game, Arena of Valor, featuring DC characters such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.
However, this game failed to become a success globally, despite marketing and regional esports leagues. Marketing was largely halted by 2019, except in key markets where the game still dominates, such as Vietnam.
In 2023, it was announced that Honor of Kings would go global. The global version was released in June 2024, featuring a large roster with Chinese mythology and lore. The game emphasises strategic and team-based combat with a high skill ceiling.
MLBB
MOONTON launched Mobile Legends: Bang Bang globally in 2016. The game featured fast-paced action, with matches sometimes ending in under eight minutes.
Players also feel that it has a lower barrier to entry and is easier to solo queue through ranked. MLBB’s gameplay is also simplified, making it easier to pick up and play even for someone new to MOBAs.
MLBB currently has over a nine-year headstart over Honor of Kings in non-China markets. Through this time, the game has been extensively marketed, often through huge collaborations and has managed to develop a booming esports ecosystem.
This includes two franchised esports leagues, with a third on the way, regional leagues globally, and two international tournaments per year. The game’s most recent world championship in Malaysia peaked at over four million viewers.
MLBB vs Honor of Kings: Comparison
Differences between Honor of Kings and MLBB
| Feature | Honor of Kings | MLBB |
|---|---|---|
| Gameplay | Slower, more strategic, which rewards defensive plays | Fast-paced, quick, and aggressive |
| Hero design | Chinese Mythology-inspired | Flashy, vibrant, and varied. |
| Honor of Kings vs MLBB graphics comparison | Higher fidelity, 3D detail-rich environments | Simpler but stylised visuals |
| Monetisation | Heavily dependent on skins and events | Slightly Gacha-like and skin-driven |
| Controls | Traditional MOBA mechanics | Accessible and mobile-optimised |
| Esports | Big in China (KPL) | Global, especially in SEA |
| Localisation | Recently global | Long-term global presence |
Similarities
The core gameplay loop is almost the same between Honor of Kings and MLBB. The map layout, the character roles, and even the overall gameplay remain the same. You land on the battlefield with four other teammates, split into three lanes and the jungle. You farm, get strong, and try to take down the enemy base by going through three towers.
Both games offer a lot of playable heroes/champions. Mobile Legends has more than 130 heroes, while Honor of Kings’ global release lags with only 86 heroes in 2026. When we compare Honor of Kings to MLBB in terms of playable heroes, it falls short. However, Tencent is rapidly releasing new heroes and will catch up in a few years.
One of the reasons behind the huge similarity between both titles is that they are inspired by the same game: League of Legends. In fact, Honor of Kings was developed by Tencent after Riot refused its proposal to make a mobile version of League of Legends.
MLBB, on the other hand, had been embroiled in legal cases with Riot since its release. These legal disputes eventually ended in 2024, when the two companies reached a global settlement.
Which is more popular?
By sheer number of daily active users, Honor of Kings reportedly takes the crown as the most popular game. The reason is its extreme popularity in China. The game’s developer claims it has 100 million daily active users, most of whom are in China. China has its own closed gaming ecosystem, and despite HoK’s popularity there, it hasn’t done well in global markets.
When it comes to global popularity, Honor of Kings was released almost a year and a half ago. MLBB has been building the game from the ground up since 2016. The game has since racked up over 1.5 billion downloads, despite only releasing in China last January. Therefore, when it comes to global popularity, MLBB dominates, as evidenced by its esports tournament viewership alone.
Which game should you play in 2026?
| Player type | Recommended game | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Hardcore MOBA enthusiast | Honor of Kings | Deeper strategy from the get-go |
| Casual or newer MOBA player | MLBB | Quick matches, fun gameplay, better solo queue experience |
| Esports player | Depends on the region | MPL thrives in SEA (MLBB); KPL is elite in China (HoK) |
| Visuals and narrative-driven players | Honor of Kings | Higher visual fidelity and cultural storytelling |
| Fast action and mobile-friendly | MLBB | Easier to pick up and optimised for low-end devices |
Ultimately, both games have many similarities and differences, and choosing one depends on player preference. Most importantly, both games are much more fun when played with friends, so choosing a title could come down to what your acquaintances are playing.
Conclusion
The Honor of Kings vs MLBB debate won’t end any time soon. Both titles are continuing to expand globally, with increased investments in marketing, community development, and esports.
If you value fast-paced matches that can end on average under the 15-minute mark, then MLBB is for you. If you want deeper control over your characters and want them to be super powerful in the late game, then you should check out HoK.
Ultimately, the decision between Honor of Kings or MLBB depends on what kind of gamer you are—and what your friends are playing.
FAQs
Are MLBB and Honor of Kings by the same company?
No, MLBB is by MOONTON, a subsidiary of ByteDance, while Honor of Kings is developed by Tencent’s Timi Studios.
However, MOONTON was co-founded by Xu Zhenhua, a former Tencent employee. Tencent later sued him, claiming violation of a non‑compete clause, and accused him of copying Honor of Kings.
Eventually, the court ruled in Tencent’s favour, ordering the MOONTON CEO to pay over $167,000 for breaching the contract.
Is Honor of Kings better than MLBB?
Both games are very similar, and the choice between them boils down to player preference.
Which is more popular: Honor of Kings or MLBB?
By daily active users globally, Honor of Kings is more popular. However, these users are mostly in China. Therefore, when excluding China, MLBB is more popular, having been released nearly nine years before Honor of Kings.
