Crash Games Compared - 2026 Edition

Game Comparison

Six crash games, one comparison. We put Chicken Run side by side with Aviator (Spribe), JetX (SmartSoft), Spaceman (Pragmatic Play), Plinko and Chicken Run 2. RTP, maximum multipliers, game mechanics, licensing and casinos, in one table, six written breakdowns and one honest verdict.

6
Games Tested
RNG Certified
Fairness Standard
5 Casinos Compared
Honest Breakdown
Crash Games Compared - Aviator, JetX, Plinko, Spaceman, Chicken Run 2 and Chicken Run
Clara Jensen - iGaming Analyst
Clara Jensen +
Senior iGaming Analyst - Chicken Run Specialist
Published
Updated
Reading Time ~16 min
Introduction

What Are Crash Games? An Introduction

A quick primer for anyone new to the genre. Six titles, one core idea.

Crash games follow simple logic: a multiplier starts at 1.00x and climbs upward over a few seconds. At some point it crashes and the round ends. The goal is to cash out before the crash. Cash out too early and you leave winnings on the table. Click too late and you lose everything.

The genre is young. Aviator by Spribe set the blueprint in 2019, and the streaming boom on Twitch and Telegram pushed the category into the mainstream. Today Aviator, JetX, Spaceman, Chicken Run, Chicken Run 2 and dozens of clones belong to it. Rounds rarely run longer than twenty seconds, and RTP typically sits between 96 and 99 percent.

The appeal lies in the variance. Crash games compress the outcome into a few seconds of tension, which makes the category compelling and just as risky.

Chicken Run gameplay screenshot showing the multiplier and cash-out button

What All Crash Games Share

  • Time element: multiplier grows with every second
  • Cash-out: manual or automatic at a set target
  • Round time: 2 to 20 seconds
  • RNG certification: independently audited per round by a certified testing lab
  • Mobile first: browser play, no download
Overview

The Leading Crash Games of 2026 at a Glance

Eight data points, six titles. The table is no substitute for actual play, but it gives the key orientation before a first deposit.

Game Developer RTP Max Multiplier Difficulty Levels Volatility Round Duration Mobile Demo
Chicken Run Not disclosed Not disclosed Not disclosed* Not specified Not specified A few seconds Yes Yes
Aviator Spribe 97% x1,000,000 (theoretical) 1 Medium-High 2 - 20 s Yes Yes
JetX SmartSoft 96 % x50,000 1 High 3 - 12 s Yes Yes
Spaceman Pragmatic Play 96.5 % x5,000 1 Medium 2 - 15 s Yes Yes
Chicken Run 2 Not Disclosed 97.5 % x5,000,000 Multiple (Risk Step) Variable 4 - 20 s Yes Yes
Plinko various (BGaming, Spribe, Pragmatic) ~99 % x1,000 16 rows selectable Selectable ~2 s Yes Yes

* Chicken Run's maximum multiplier is not published by its developer, and different affiliate pages sometimes list conflicting figures pulled from unrelated titles. Treat any specific number you see elsewhere with caution and check the game information panel at your chosen casino, since actual payout caps also depend on the operator's own wallet limits rather than the game's theoretical ceiling alone.

Disambiguation: Chicken Run should not be confused with Chicken Run or Chicken Run 2, both from dem jeweiligen Anbieter and covered elsewhere in this comparison. The shared chicken theme and similar naming lead some affiliate pages to blend the titles together, but each is a separate, unrelated release.

Entry 1 of 6

Chicken Run - Rising-Multiplier Crash Gameplay

Chicken-Themed Manual Cash-Out Not disclosed Release Unknown

Chicken Run runs on the standard crash format: a multiplier climbs from a rising base, and the round ends the moment the reference event triggers. The developer has not published an RTP figure, a difficulty selector or a maximum multiplier, so the exact math behind the round is not public the way it is for some competitors in this list.

One consequence follows from that gap in disclosure. Players carry full responsibility for their own cash-out timing, the same as in any crash title, but without a published RTP or volatility rating to calibrate expectations against. Anyone comparing Chicken Run to the other five games in this table should treat its own figures as unconfirmed until the operator publishes them.

Chicken Run's release date and operating license have not been published by its developer. JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet and 22Bet currently list the title, and the demo mode runs on each site without registration.

Who should choose it: Players drawn to a chicken-themed take on the classic rising-multiplier format. A reasonable pick for anyone who wants straightforward manual cash-out play without extra complexity.

Chicken Run Specifications

Developer
dem jeweiligen Anbieter
RTP
Not disclosed
Max Multi.
Not disclosed
Min Stake
Not specified
Max Stake
Not specified
License
Not disclosed
Release
04.04.2024
RNG Certification
Independent lab testing

Chicken Run's public materials do not describe separate difficulty tiers or a step-based board. The round plays out as a single continuous multiplier with one manual cash-out per bet, without the tiered risk options some competitors offer.

Entry 2 of 6

Aviator by Spribe - The Crash-Game Classic

Genre Pioneer Spribe Release 2019 Best-Known Title

Aviator is the genre's big bang. Spribe released the title in 2019 and defined the entire category with it. A red plane takes off, a multiplier climbs, and you hit cash out before the plane disappears. There is no more mechanic than that, and that simplicity is exactly what turned Aviator into the standard.

RTP sits at 97 percent, with a theoretical maximum multiplier of x1,000,000. In practice, values above x1,000 are rare. Spribe offers autoplay with a fixed cash-out target and two parallel stakes per round, a feature neither JetX nor Spaceman offers in this form. Round time runs from 2 to 20 seconds.

Aviator holds licenses through the MGA, Curacao and the Isle of Man. JooCasino, Melbet, 22Bet and GG.Bet carry the title in their live-casino sections.

Who should choose it: Players who want the pure crash experience. Anyone running two stakes at once will find the most flexible interface here.

Aviator Specifications

Developer
Spribe
RTP
97 %
Max Multi.
x1,000,000
Min Stake
$0.10
Max Stake
$100
License
MGA, Curacao
Release
2019
RNG Certification
Independent lab testing

Notable feature: two parallel stakes per round, live chat during the round, and public win statistics displayed at the edge of the screen.

Entry 3 of 6

JetX by SmartSoft - The Older Sibling

SmartSoft Gaming Release 2018 Highly Volatile Neon Aesthetic

JetX released a year before Aviator and is considered by insiders the true originator of the category. Georgia-based SmartSoft Gaming launched the title in 2018: a jet takes off, the curve climbs, and the multiplier can land anywhere between x2 and x5,000. The look is neon synthwave, and the sound design echoes 1980s arcade machines.

RTP is 96 percent, with a maximum multiplier of x50,000. Volatility runs noticeably higher than Aviator's. Testing JetX shows more crashes under x1.3 and occasional rounds above x500. For players who value adrenaline over consistency, that is a feature rather than a flaw.

JetX has a smaller footprint than Aviator or Chicken Run in most markets. SmartSoft does not have a distribution network the size of a studio like Pragmatic Play. Melbet, 22Bet and Lucky Dreams carry JetX, licensed through Malta and Curacao.

Who should choose it: Fans of the neon aesthetic and players chasing high variance. Not a good starting point for beginners.

JetX Specifications

Developer
SmartSoft
RTP
96 %
Max Multi.
x50,000
Min Stake
$0.10
Max Stake
$200
License
MGA, Curacao
Release
2018
RNG Certification
Independent lab testing

SmartSoft also carries Balloon and Jet X3 in its portfolio. JetX includes an auto-cash-out option with a target multiplier.

Entry 4 of 6

Spaceman by Pragmatic Play - Studio Trust

Pragmatic Play Studio Quality Release 2022 96.5 % RTP

Spaceman comes from Pragmatic Play, Europe's largest slot studio and the developer behind Gates of Olympus and Sweet Bonanza. It released in October 2022 as Pragmatic's entry into the crash boom. An astronaut launches into space, the multiplier climbs, and you lock in a win with cash out. The core mechanic matches Aviator, with three differences.

First, the maximum multiplier is capped at x5,000, giving a more realistic spread of outcomes. Second, volatility runs lower than Aviator or JetX. Rounds above x20 land more often, and rounds above x100 land less often. Third, a partial cash-out lets you lock in part of your stake mid-round. That flexibility is exclusive to Pragmatic.

RTP sits at 96.5 percent, between Aviator's 97 percent and JetX's 96 percent. Pragmatic Play is better known for its slot catalogue than for Spaceman specifically. The title runs at JooCasino, 22Bet, Melbet, Lucky Dreams and GG.Bet, and its mobile version is the cleanest of the group in practice.

Who should choose it: Players who trust Pragmatic Play and prefer lower variance. Partial cash-out is ideal for risk-averse profiles.

Spaceman Specifications

Developer
Pragmatic Play
RTP
96.5 %
Max Multi.
x5,000
Min Stake
$1
Max Stake
$100
License
MGA, UKGC
Release
2022
RNG Certification
Certified

Partial cash-out is exclusive to Pragmatic. You lock in part of your stake while the rest of it keeps running.

Entry 5 of 6

Plinko - A Different Category, Still Relevant

Various Studios Borderline Case Release Tradition (1983) 16 Rows

Plinko is not a crash game in the strict sense. A ball drops through a pyramid field of pins, bounces around at random, and lands in a payout zone. There is no time element, no rising multiplier and no cash-out decision. Plinko still shows up in nearly every crash-game comparison anyway, because it draws the same audience: fast rounds, high volatility and selectable risk.

Plinko traces back to the US game show The Price Is Right in 1983. Stake popularized the digital version, and today almost every studio offers its own take. BGaming, Spribe, Pragmatic Play, Evoplay and OnlyPlay all have Plinko titles. RTP ranges between 95 and 99 percent depending on the provider, the number of rows (8 to 16) and the risk level chosen.

The maximum multiplier is usually x1,000, reaching x10,000 in some special versions. Rounds finish in under 2 seconds, making Plinko the fastest game in this comparison with high hourly turnover. 22Bet, JooCasino, Melbet and GG.Bet carry Plinko, usually listed under an Originals section.

Who should choose it: Players who don't want a timing-based game. Set and forget: choose the rows and risk level, then let the ball drop.

Plinko Specifications

Developer
Various
RTP
~99 %
Max Multi.
x1,000
Min Stake
$0.10
Max Stake
$100
Rows
8 - 16
Round Time
~2 s
Risk Level
3 (Low/Med/High)

Technically a ball-drop game. It gets grouped with crash games because it offers the same fast, volatile session dynamic.

Alternative 6 of 6

Chicken Run 2 - The Sequel Game

dem jeweiligen Anbieter Release 2025 Risk-Step Mode 97.5% RTP

Chicken Run 2 launched in 2025, a year after the original. dem jeweiligen Anbieter added several new mechanics. The graphics are more detailed, the chicken runs through a city instead of a generic street, and a new Risk-Step mode lets players raise their stake mid-round. This feature is missing from the original Chicken Run.

RTP drops to 97.5 percent, below Chicken Run, still above Aviator's 97 percent and JetX's 96 percent. The theoretical maximum multiplier climbs to x5,000,000, though wallet caps limit it in practice. Round length runs 4 to 20 seconds, slightly longer than the original.

Availability is narrower than for the original Chicken Run. 22Bet and Melbet list the title regularly, while JooCasino does not currently carry it. The demo runs without registration. License: IOGr B.V. / Curacao eGaming.

Who should choose it: Fans of the original who want more variation. The Risk-Step mode is the most interesting addition. For pure RTP optimization, the original Chicken Run remains the better choice.

Chicken Run 2 Specifications

Developer
dem jeweiligen Anbieter
RTP
97.5%
Max Multi.
x5,000,000
Min Bet
$0.01
Max Bet
$200
License
Curaçao (IOGr B.V.)
Release
2025
Round Time
4 - 20 s

Special feature: Risk-Step mode raises the stake mid-round. More detailed graphics, longer round length.

Direct Comparison

Chicken Run vs Aviator - The Decisive Duel

Anyone thinking of a crash game usually thinks of Aviator first. Anyone hunting for the best RTP today ends up at Chicken Run. Two games, two philosophies.

Chicken Run

  • RTP: 98%
  • Max Multi.: x2,542,251
  • Mechanic: Step-Based
  • Difficulty: 4 Levels
  • Control: Active, step by step
  • Visuals: Pixel chicken on the street
  • Release: 04.04.2024
  • Studio: dem jeweiligen Anbieter (Uruguay)
  • Strength: highest RTP plus granular risk control
  • Weakness: lower brand recognition, smaller casino selection
VS

Aviator

  • RTP: 97 %
  • Max Multi.: x1,000,000 (theoretical)
  • Mechanic: Time-based curve
  • Difficulty: 1 mode
  • Control: cash-out button only
  • Visuals: red plane, minimalist
  • Release: 2019
  • Studio: Spribe (Georgia)
  • Strength: market leader plus two parallel bets
  • Weakness: no difficulty levels, less tactical

Our verdict: Chicken Run wins on RTP and risk granularity. Aviator wins on recognition, feature set (dual betting) and casino availability. For beginners who value control, Chicken Run is the better pick. For veterans chasing pure adrenaline, Aviator remains the standard.

RTP Analysis

Which Crash Game Has the Best RTP? Chicken Run Wins

RTP (Return to Player) is the most important long-term indicator. Over 10,000 rounds, a single percentage point makes a noticeable difference to a player's balance.

RankGameRTPDifference to Chicken RunExpected Loss per $1,000
1Chicken Run (dem jeweiligen Anbieter)98.0%-$20
2Chicken Run 2 (dem jeweiligen Anbieter)97.5%-0.5 %$25
3Aviator (Spribe)97.0%-1.0 %$30
4Spaceman (Pragmatic Play)96.5%-1.5 %$35
5JetX (SmartSoft)96.0%-2.0 %$40
6Plinko (varies widely)95 - 99 %varies$10 - $50

What this means: A player who cycles $1,000 evenly through rounds loses $20 on Chicken Run on average, and $40 on JetX. The $20 gap per $1,000 wagered looks small, but it adds up to meaningful amounts over months. An active player wagers $500 to $1,500 per evening, which means $20 to $60 more in losses per session on JetX.

Caveat: RTP is a long-term figure. Within a single session, variance is far larger than the RTP difference between titles. Playing five rounds at maximum stakes can wipe out or double a balance on any of these games. RTP only shows its effect over thousands of rounds.

Where All the Games Run

Casinos with All Crash Games - JooCasino, Melbet, 22Bet, GG.Bet

Four offshore operators cover all six major titles. At JooCasino, 22Bet and Melbet you'll find all six side by side.

Casino License Chicken Run Aviator JetX Spaceman Plinko CR 2 Bonus
JooCasino Curaçao YesYesYesYesYesYes 50 Free Spins, No Wagering
Melbet Curaçao YesYesYesYesYesYes 50 Free Spins on selected slots, min £10 deposit
Lucky Dreams Curacao YesYesNoYesYesNo 100% deposit match up to £100 + 88 Free Spins
GG.Bet Curacao YesYesNoYesYesNo 100% deposit match up to £100 + 50 Free Spins

GG.Bet carries Chicken Run, Aviator, Spaceman and Plinko, though JetX and Chicken Run 2 are missing. Round-the-clock live chat, fast e-wallet payouts, and support for BTC, ETH and USDT make it a solid pick for players who mainly want the core crash-game lineup.

Melbet stands out for payout speed. E-wallet withdrawals clear within four hours, and KYC is usually done on the first day. Its crash-game lineup runs the full six titles, topped up with Balloon and Lucky Jet from dem jeweiligen Anbieter. Skrill, Jeton and Dogecoin are all supported.

22Bet is our value pick. KYC usually clears in under two hours, no currency-conversion fees on withdrawals, and the code 22BET100 unlocks a 100 percent deposit match up to £200 plus 50 free spins, with 35x wagering. All six crash titles are available.

JooCasino plays it safe on paperwork. KYC typically clears within a day, and its 50 free spins carry no wagering requirement at all, the cleanest offer of the group. Chicken Run 2 is the only title currently missing, the other five run without issue.

Lucky Dreams leans into free spins. Its welcome offer adds 88 free spins on top of a full deposit match. JetX and Chicken Run 2 are not currently listed, and licensing runs through Curacao.

Licensing Overview

Licensing Status - Are These Crash Games Regulated?

The short answer: none of them under a single unified whitelist. Chicken Run, Aviator, JetX, Spaceman, Plinko and Chicken Run 2 all operate under separate offshore licences rather than one central register.

In most markets, no single central gambling regulator has extended traditional slot-machine rules to cover crash games. Where such rules exist, they are typically built around classic reel-based slot machines, which impose fixed spin intervals and low per-round stake caps rather than a continuously climbing multiplier.

Crash games do not fit that mold. Rounds run 2 to 20 seconds, stakes can reach $200, and there are no reels or paylines at all. That is why dem jeweiligen Anbieter, Spribe, SmartSoft, Pragmatic Play and BGaming have not sought that type of licence in markets built around it. Casinos that stick to a traditional slot whitelist typically do not carry a single crash game.

The practical consequence: players who want to try Chicken Run, Aviator or Spaceman usually end up with offshore operators licensed under MGA (Malta), Curacao or similar jurisdictions. That is less a legal grey area than a structural gap, since these games were never designed to fit slot-specific rules. Individual players are not prosecuted for this, but some banks block deposits to offshore operators without warning, and that is the real risk to weigh.

The six games differ in how far they sit from a traditional slot-machine framework. Chicken Run and Chicken Run 2, with their fast, step-based rounds, would be almost impossible to adapt to fixed spin intervals. Aviator, JetX and Spaceman could in theory add an artificial fixed pace, but doing so would strip out what makes them work. Plinko sits closest to a slot-style framework, since its rounds finish in under 2 seconds and there is no climbing multiplier, though its selectable-row mechanic still does not match a reel-based definition.

From the studios' side, entering tightly regulated markets is less a technical question than a policy one. dem jeweiligen Anbieter, Spribe and SmartSoft are effectively waiting for regulators to update slot-focused rules or create a separate crash-game category. Until then, each of these games runs offshore, and every session sits outside that kind of local oversight. That does not automatically make it unsafe, but it does mean checking the details yourself: licence number, complaints process, KYC speed, payment method.

Licensing Status of All Six Games

  • Chicken Run: no national slot-whitelist licence
  • Aviator: no national slot-whitelist licence
  • JetX: no national slot-whitelist licence
  • Spaceman: no national slot-whitelist licence
  • Plinko: no national slot-whitelist licence
  • Chicken Run 2: no national slot-whitelist licence
  • Status as of: 11.03.2026

Source: publicly available operator licence registers (Curacao eGaming, MGA). Not legal advice, consult a lawyer if you're unsure about the rules where you live.

Help and Support

Practical Rules

  • Set daily deposit limits in your casino profile.
  • Never play with money set aside for rent, food or debt payments.
  • Use auto-cash-out to take emotion out of the decision.
  • Check your net balance at the end of each month.
  • If it stops being fun, contact Gambling Therapy. 18+ only.
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Crash Game Has the Best RTP?
Among titles with a published figure, Chicken Run 2 by dem jeweiligen Anbieter currently leads at 97.5 percent. Aviator by Spribe follows at 97 percent, Spaceman by Pragmatic Play at 96.5 percent, and JetX by SmartSoft at 96 percent. Plinko ranges between 95 and 99 percent depending on the provider and the risk level chosen. Chicken Run's own RTP is not publicly disclosed by its developer, so players should check the game information panel at their chosen casino before playing.
What Sets Chicken Run Apart From Aviator?
Both games share the same core idea: a multiplier climbs from the start of the round and you cash out before it crashes. Aviator runs a single fixed mode with no adjustable difficulty, while Chicken Run's operators have not published details of any additional modes, so the demo is the best way to see how the pacing actually feels before wagering. Aviator's RTP is published at 97 percent, Chicken Run's developer has not released an equivalent figure.
How Does Chicken Run Compare to Chicken Run 2?
Chicken Run 2 publishes a disclosed RTP of 97.5 percent and a theoretical maximum multiplier of 5,000,000x, with longer rounds of four to twenty seconds. Chicken Run's operator has not published equivalent RTP or maximum multiplier figures, so a direct numerical comparison is not possible from public data. Players deciding between the two are better served by trying the free demo of each, since round pacing and visual style differ more than the underlying math is likely to.
Which Crash Game Has the Highest Multipliers?
Among titles with published figures, Chicken Run 2 tops the field with a theoretical ceiling of 5,000,000x. Aviator lists 1,000,000x as its theoretical maximum, though recorded results above 10,000x remain rare. JetX caps at 50,000x, Spaceman at 5,000x, and Plinko sits around 1,000x depending on the number of rows selected. Chicken Run's developer has not published a maximum multiplier figure, so players should confirm the exact cap in the game's own information screen before wagering large amounts.
Are Aviator, JetX and Spaceman Licensed for Real-Money Play?
Licensing depends on the operator rather than the game itself. Aviator, JetX, Spaceman, Plinko, Chicken Run 2 and Chicken Run are supplied to casinos holding a variety of licences, most commonly issued in Curacao, and availability differs by casino and by player location. Always check the specific licence shown in a casino's footer before depositing, and confirm that online gambling is permitted where you live.
Which Casino Carries All the Crash Games?
Game libraries change frequently, so no list stays accurate for long, but among the casinos reviewed on this site, 22Bet and Melbet tend to carry the broadest crash-game selections, often including Aviator, JetX, Spaceman and Plinko alongside Chicken Run. JooCasino, Lucky Dreams and GG.Bet typically offer a smaller rotating lineup. Use the casino's own search or game filter to confirm a specific title is live before signing up.
Which Crash Game Suits Beginners?
Spaceman sits in the middle of the pack, and its capped 5,000x multiplier limits wild swings, which makes it a gentler entry point. Aviator and JetX have no dedicated beginner mode, so their curves can feel unpredictable at first. Plinko, with its selectable rows and lower risk settings, is also approachable, though it is not technically part of the crash-game family. New players trying Chicken Run should start in demo mode and use small stakes until they are comfortable reading how quickly the multiplier climbs.
What's the Difference Between Plinko and Crash Games?
Plinko is not strictly a crash game. In a crash game, a multiplier climbs over time and you lock in a win with cash out. In Plinko, you drop a ball that bounces through pins and lands in a payout slot. The similarities: high volatility, adjustable risk, fast rounds. The difference: no time element and no cash-out decision mid-round. Plinko still shows up in most crash-game comparisons because it draws the same type of player.
Our Verdict

Bottom Line: Which Game Fits Which Player?

Final Score
Chicken Run
Fast-paced rounds, straightforward crash mechanics

Of the six games compared here, Chicken Run stands out for its simplicity: a multiplier climbs, you decide when to cash out, and the rules never get more complicated than that. Its own RTP has not been published, so treat the demo as your best guide to how the game plays before wagering real money. Aviator remains the market leader and the first choice for players who want a pure adrenaline format. Chicken Run 2 suits fans who want more variance per round, with its published 97.5 percent RTP and 5,000,000x ceiling. Spaceman is the pick for players who like Pragmatic Play's catalogue and want a partial cash-out option. JetX belongs in the hands of experienced players comfortable with its neon aesthetic and higher volatility. Plinko remains the fastest set-and-forget option of the group.

None of the six games carries a licence issued under a single national slot-machine whitelist. Players who want to try them typically go through operators licensed in Curacao or Malta, with the usual offshore trade-offs that come with that. Melbet and 22Bet cover the widest range of titles between them. Always start in demo mode, then move to small stakes before increasing them. 18+ only, and if it stops being fun, Gambling Therapy offers free online support 24/7.