League of Legends and Dota 2 are two of the biggest names in the MOBA genre, but when it comes to player numbers, LoL is miles ahead. As of 2025, League of Legends has over 131 million monthly active players, while Dota 2 hovers around 1 million. So what makes LoL so much more popular? It all comes down to how Riot Games handles updates, gameplay design, and marketing.
When it comes to new character releases, League of Legends has always stayed ahead. While the game used to release over 20 champions a year in its early days, Riot now releases around 3–5 champions annually, keeping things fresh with champion reworks and gameplay updates in between. Dota 2, on the other hand, has slowed down significantly. Valve typically adds just one or two new heroes per year, and they’re often mechanically complex and difficult to master—great for veteran players, but not ideal for bringing in new ones.
Gameplay style is another major factor. League of Legends is simply more accessible. It avoids Dota’s more complicated mechanics like denying your own creeps, stacking jungle camps, and micromanaging runes. LoL champions are generally easier to pick up and play, and the game itself is more forgiving for new players. The visual clarity is also better, making it easier to follow the action. Dota 2, while incredibly deep and rewarding for hardcore fans, has a steep learning curve and can feel overwhelming to those who are just getting started.
But the biggest game-changer might be Riot’s approach to marketing. Riot Games has turned League of Legends into a global entertainment brand, far beyond just a video game. The animated Netflix series Arcane was a massive hit, drawing in millions of viewers who had never played LoL before. Riot has also launched popular in-game music groups like K/DA and True Damage, expanded into mobile and console with Wild Rift, and kept the community engaged with seasonal events, lore-driven updates, and spin-off games like Teamfight Tactics. Valve, in contrast, has mostly focused on the esports scene with The International and hasn’t expanded Dota 2 into other media in the same way.
In the end, League of Legends dominates Dota 2 in player count because it’s more inviting to newcomers, delivers regular and exciting content, and knows how to keep players engaged both inside and outside the game. Dota 2 is still a masterpiece of complexity and strategy, but its slower update cycle and niche appeal make it harder to grow. Riot’s blend of smart game design and world-class marketing is the key to why LoL stays on top.
