PUBG Mobile vs Free Fire — Real Experience After 1 Month Gameplay

PUBG Mobile

By Samuel — ByteCascade · October 14, 2025 · Personal test: PUBG player tries Free Fire for 30 days

I’ve been a PUBG Mobile player for years. Ranked sweaty matches, crosshair twitching, and UC spent — that’s my normal. For 30 days I put PUBG aside and played Free Fire every day to see how it feels from the other side. No specs sheet, no recycled marketing lines — just what a PUBG veteran noticed after a month of Free Fire. Here’s the real comparison. Don't forget that i also talked about Call Of Duty Mobile (COD)

Why I decided to test Free Fire for 30 days

Short version: curiosity. Long version: I’ve seen a lot of players switch to Free Fire because of low-end phone support, shorter match times, and gacha-style progression. I wanted to know — as someone used to PUBG’s aim, cover play, and slower pacing — how Free Fire would feel day-to-day. Could it replace my main game? Would I rage more or less? Would I still taste victory?

Spoiler: The answer wasn’t a simple “Free Fire is better” or “PUBG wins.” Both have different bones. My job here is to explain those bones.

Gameplay: pace, gunfeel and movement

Match length and rhythm

PUBG is methodical. You drop, you loot, you rotate, you camp, you fight — a match can take 20–30 minutes depending on the map. Free Fire throws you into fast rounds with smaller maps and fewer players; expect 8–12 minute matches that are far more action-packed. After a week I loved the bite-sized rounds. After three weeks I missed the tension of long loots and late-game zone fights.

Shooting and aim

Here’s the big one: PUBG’s shooting feels weighty and precise. The guns have recoil patterns you learn. Free Fire’s guns feel lighter and more arcade-like — hits register quickly but there’s less nuance. Coming from PUBG, Free Fire’s spray and recoil were easier to control, and that made close-range fights feel more forgiving. If you love realistic gun mechanics, PUBG wins. If you want fast, forgiving gunfights, Free Fire delivers.

Movement, mobility, and verticality

FREE FIRE 

 

Free Fire is more mobile. You get small movement perks, character abilities that change how you traverse, and game modes that reward quick plays. PUBG’s movement is more grounded and predictable. As a PUBG player, I had to re-learn strafing timings in Free Fire — turns out the smaller maps reward pre-aim and quick peeks over slow positioning.

Graphics & performance — what your phone will feel

I tested both on a mid-range phone (standard for many readers). Free Fire ran smoother out of the box and was less hungry on battery and RAM. PUBG has better visuals on high settings and offers a more immersive environment, but it also chews battery faster and needs a better GPU to keep 60 FPS stable.

• Low-end phones: Free Fire is more forgiving — playable frame rates, faster load times.
• Mid-high phones: PUBG looks nicer and feels more immersive; but you must tweak settings to avoid overheating or frame drops.

Practical note: If your phone has 2–3 GB RAM and an older chipset, Free Fire will feel pleasant. If you have 4+ GB and like realistic visuals, PUBG is the choice.

Controls & customization

Control-wise, PUBG has deeper sensitivity options and more fine-grain control for aiming (ADS sensitivities, gyro fine-tune). Free Fire keeps controls simple and accessible — fewer menus, quicker button mapping, and less time fiddling with sens. If you love opening sensitivity menus before every play session, PUBG gives you toys. If you want to jump in fast and not think about a hundred sliders, Free Fire is friendly.

Matchmaking, player skill & community

After a month, matchmaking observations:

• Skill spread: Free Fire felt to have a wider skill gap. Many players are new or casual, but you can meet experts who hard-carry with insane reflexes.
• Toxicity: Both communities have toxic moments. PUBG’s higher-competitiveness brings frustration — team blame, rage quits. Free Fire’s casual nature leads to more silly chats and less intense rage, but you’ll still find toxic players.
• Squad behavior: In Free Fire, squads tend to be looser and more unpredictable. In PUBG, squads often play like chess — coordinated rotations, smoke plays, flanks.

Monetization & pay-to-win — how my wallet felt

Both games monetize heavily, but in different flavors:

• PUBG: Cosmetic skins, UC purchases, battle passes. Skins are expensive but mostly cosmetic. You can spend a little and still play at a high skill level.
• Free Fire: Skins, diamonds, and characters with unique abilities. Some characters give gameplay advantages (healing, speed boosts, revive perks), so there’s an edge to buying them. Not full pay-to-win, but buying characters and upgrades can change match outcomes.

As a PUBG player, Free Fire nudged me to open my wallet a few times because the character perks were tempting. I resisted most purchases, but they reminded me how progression feels different between titles. If you hate any gameplay-affecting purchases, know that Free Fire mixes them in more than PUBG does.

Game modes & casual play

Free Fire loves variety: clash squad, rush modes, special limited-time events, and many small modes that fit short play sessions. PUBG has modes too, but its main mode is the traditional battle royale with occasional events. For casual quick sessions, Free Fire’s mode rotation kept the month fresh. For deep, tactical nights, PUBG stayed unmatched.

Wins, losses, and the emotional journey

I tracked my emotional state over 30 days:

1. Days 1–4: Confused. Little deaths from strange angles. I missed PUBG recoil patterns.
2. Days 5–10: Fun. I started enjoying close fights and the immediacy of wins.
3. Days 11–20: Competitive. I learned hero combos and started clutching games. Reward loop kicked in.
4. Days 21–30: Balanced. I still loved PUBG’s tactical fights, but Free Fire became my go-to for quick, satisfying sessions.

Result: I didn’t quit PUBG, but I reshaped my habits. Free Fire became the “short-victory” game I played on breaks; PUBG stayed for nights when I had time to commit.

Quick pros & cons (from a PUBG player's point of view)

Feature	PUBG Mobile (my baseline)	Free Fire (30-day test)
Match length	Long (20–30 min)	Short (8–12 min)
Gun feel	Realistic, heavy	Arcade-like, forgiving
Performance on low phones	Needs better device	Optimized for low-end
Monetization	Mostly cosmetic	Some gameplay-affecting purchases
Skill ceiling	High — day-long learning curve	High moment-to-moment, but more RNG/arcade
Community vibe	Competitive and serious	Casual and chaotic

Which game should you pick? (My verdict)

After 30 days as a PUBG player using Free Fire daily, here’s how I’d advise different gamers:

You have a low-end phone → Play Free Fire You want short matches → Play Free Fire You like realistic gunplay → Stick to PUBG You want deep, tactical nights → Stick to PUBG You hate gameplay-affecting purchases → Prefer PUBG

For me personally: I’ll keep PUBG as my main for competitive play, but Free Fire earned a permanent spot as my “quick-session” game. I enjoy alternating — PUBG when I can commit, Free Fire on short breaks or when my phone battery is low.

Practical tips if you’re switching between the two

1. Reset your sens: Don’t use the same sensitivity settings — guns behave differently.
2. Play a few casual matches first: Let your brain adapt to movement and aim changes.
3. Watch equipment load times: Free Fire’s fast pace punishes slow looters.
4. Mind the monetization: Don’t buy character abilities unless you’re ready to accept a gameplay edge for cash.
5. Charge smart: PUBG drains battery more. Carry a power bank for long PUBG sessions.

FAQs — quick answers readers search for

Is Free Fire easier than PUBG?

Short answer: yes and no. Free Fire is easier to get immediate kills because of faster gunfights and smaller maps, but mastering its movement, character combos, and close-range fights takes time.

Which game uses more data and battery?

PUBG generally uses more data and battery due to larger maps, higher-fidelity textures, and longer matches.

Can I win in Free Fire without spending money?

Absolutely. You can win with skill and smart plays. But some paid items — characters or upgrades — can give advantages in certain modes.

Should I switch from PUBG to Free Fire permanently?

Only if your priorities changed: if you want shorter matches, lower device strain, and a casual vibe. If you love realism and tactical play, keep PUBG as your main.

Which game should I recommend to friends who have cheap phones?

Free Fire — better optimization for low-end devices and shorter matches make it friendlier for cheap phones.

Final thought: Both games are fun in their own ways. The important part is how they fit into your schedule, device, and patience for learning. For me — a PUBG veteran — Free Fire didn’t replace the long-sesh thrill of PUBG, but it earned respect and a permanent place in my phone’s home screen.

— Samuel, ByteCascade