TL;DR
- PUBG: Battlegrounds and Apex Legends are both highly popular competitive shooters.
- Apex Legends is futuristic, while PUBG has a clear focus on realistic combat in comparison.
- Though Apex Legends is arguably the better game due to its enhanced visuals and performance, PUBG helped popularize the battle royale genre for gamers.
- PUBG has a higher average player count on Steam Charts compared to Apex Legends as of October 2025.
- We’re going to walk you through all of the core differences in Apex Legends vs PUBG to determine which game is better.
PUBG: Battlegrounds helped kick-start the battle royale era for competitive gaming, as many BRs have been released in the last few years with unique twists or mechanics. Apex Legends is a futuristic battle royale set in Respawn’s Titanfall universe, while PUBG is a grounded shooter that focuses on tactical combat.
PUBG and Apex Legends are both top-tier shooters, so here’s what you need to know about each game before you begin playing.
Apex Legends vs PUBG: Gameplay
The primary game mode in both PUBG and Apex Legends is a battle royale. Dozens of players drop onto a giant map, but only one team can achieve a victory in each match. Upon dropping into a location, both games allow you to collect loot in anticipation of the next battle.
Though PUBG and Apex Legends share their genre, there are a ton of tiny details that differ between the two. Apex offers fast-paced gameplay, better visuals, and more interesting cosmetics than PUBG in 2025, but the latter excels in making you feel like you’re on a real battlefield due to its tactical gameplay style.
The comparison table found below explains the primary differences between PUBG vs Apex Legends.
| Game | Differences |
|---|---|
| PUBG | • Squads are the primary format for competitive play (four players per team) • Offers both third-person and first-person perspectives • Gameplay is realistic and tactical • Vehicles are plentiful and important for survival |
| Apex Legends | • Trios is the main game mode for competitive play (three players on each team) • Prioritizes a first-person perspective • Offers a futuristic setting with science fiction equipment • Apex players can choose from a large roster of original characters with unique legend abilities • Fast-paced gameplay • Vehicles are rare and not usually a necessity |
As battle royale gamers can see, PUBG is perfect for the tactical player who likes to plan, while Apex is a dream for those who prefer fast-paced gameplay and weaponry of the future.
Apex Legends vs PUBG: Characters & abilities
Apex lets players pick from a roster of special heroes called legends, each with a powerful ability that’s unique to the character in question. On the flip side, PUBG focuses on real-world combat equipment instead of introducing unrealistic powers to the battlefield.
Your main means of offense and defense in PUBG are guns and explosives, while many of the abilities found in Apex Legends are based on sci-fi concepts. Some characters in PUBG Mobile have distinct abilities, but the standard version of the game doesn’t include a character system.
Your legend is the core aspect that determines which abilities you can use in Respawn’s Apex Legends, while your character in PUBG is primarily a cosmetic avatar.
PUBG vs Apex Legends: Popularity
Apex Legends has had about 75,000 average players on Steam Charts in the last 30 days as of November 2025. In comparison, PUBG: Battlegrounds has had around 280,000 players on average according to Steam Charts as of October 3rd, 2025, indicating that PUBG is more popular than Apex Legends.
In general, PUBG and Apex are incredibly popular shooters that are free-to-play, and they both have active player bases in 2025.
Apex Legends vs PUBG: Verdict
The differences between Apex and PUBG make it crystal clear: Apex Legends is the better battle royale. PUBG helped transform the genre, but Apex innovated even further with a character roster, advanced visuals, and a free-to-play model from day one.
If you look at the Apex Legends vs PUBG player count on Steam Charts, it shows that PUBG is more popular than Apex Legends in 2025, but Apex is the more modern title of the two. If you like realistic shooters with slow-paced gameplay, then PUBG may be for you, but gamers should play Apex for modern gameplay.
Conclusion
We determined that Apex Legends is better than PUBG, but both shooters are great in their own ways. PUBG brings realistic combat to the battlefield, but Apex is perfect for gamers who enjoy futuristic worlds with modern visuals.
The weaponry in Apex Legends is incredibly fun to use, and each character has access to a special skill set. If you like competitive shooters with a touch of sci-fi, then Apex is the perfect game to play!
FAQs
Is Apex Legends better than PUBG?
Apex Legends is better than PUBG because it runs more smoothly, offers modern graphics, and is easier for beginners. However, PUBG is a better tactical shooter for gamers focused on realistic combat.
Is PUBG still popular?
Yes, despite its age, PUBG can routinely pull in as many as 300,000 players on any given day, which is impressive considering how many other battle royale games have launched since.
Is Apex Legends harder than PUBG?
Apex Legends is easier than PUBG because performance is dependent on your skill level with your chosen legend, and it’s easier to learn how to use a pre-selected character compared to floor loot that’s randomized in each match.
REFERENCES
- Apex Legends (Steam Charts)
- PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS (Steam Charts)
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