Comparison
Klondike vs FreeCell
| Klondike | FreeCell | |
|---|---|---|
| Decks | One deck | One deck |
| Suits | 4 | 4 |
| Typical length | 10 min | 15 min |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How much skill matters | Medium | High |
| How much the shuffle matters | Medium | Low |
| Family | Klondike family | FreeCell family |
| Good for beginners | Yes | No |
We have not written a verdict for this pairing. The comparison above is drawn from each game's own recorded facts — follow either link for its full rules and strategy.
Klondike
The best-known solitaire game: build tableau columns down in alternating colors and move cards up to four suit foundations.
Deal seven columns, the first holding one card and the seventh holding seven, with only the top card of each face up. Build the columns downward in alternating colours — a red six onto a black seven — and move cards up to four foundation piles that each build a suit from Ace to King.
FreeCell
Nearly every deal is winnable with the right plan — four free cells give just enough room to maneuver every card into place.
All 52 cards are dealt face up into eight columns — four of seven cards, four of six — so nothing is hidden from the first move. Four free cells sit alongside, each holding exactly one card.
Frequently asked questions
- Which is harder, Klondike or FreeCell?
- Klondike is generally rated beginner difficulty, while FreeCell is rated intermediate — so most players find one noticeably harder than the other.