The Lord of the Rings Online vs The Elder Scrolls Online
Every attribute in the database, side by side — MMOlist scores The Lord of the Rings Online at 82 and The Elder Scrolls Online at 75, but the right pick depends on how you play.
The Lord of the Rings Online
2007 · Free-to-Play + Sub Option · Tab Target
The Elder Scrolls Online
2014 · Buy-to-Play + Sub Option · Soft-lock Action
The short version
What they share: a themepark world and no open-world PvP.
Compared with The Lord of the Rings Online, The Elder Scrolls Online is more PvP-focused, less PvE-focused and less grindy, with soft-lock action combat instead of tab-target combat and a buy-to-play + sub option model instead of free-to-play + sub option.
The Lord of the Rings Online — strengths: Unrivaled Middle-earth world-building; Warm, mature community. Watch out for: Ancient engine and animations.
The Elder Scrolls Online — strengths: Every zone is viable at any level; Massive amount of fully voiced quests. Watch out for: Floaty combat feel divides players.
| The Lord of the Rings Online | The Elder Scrolls Online | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Live | Live |
| Release year | 2007 | 2014 |
| Developer | Standing Stone Games | ZeniMax Online Studios |
| Business model | Free-to-Play + Sub Option | Buy-to-Play + Sub Option |
| Platforms | PC | PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox |
| Combat type | Tab Target | Soft-lock Action |
| World design | Themepark | Themepark |
| MMOlist score | 82 | 75 |
| Steam rating | 80% | 81% |
| User score | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 |
| Critic score | 90 | 70 |
| Steam peak CCU | 4K | 45K |
| PvE focus | ||
| PvP focus | ||
| Grindiness | ||
| Solo friendly | ||
| Duo friendly | ||
| Casual friendly | ||
| Typical session | 1–2 hours | 30–60 min |
| Time to endgame | 100–300h | 40–100h |
| Catch-up friendly | ||
| Chore pressure | ||
| Endgame progression | Vertical | Hybrid |
| Alt friendly | ||
| Crafting depth | ||
| Guild importance | ||
| P2W perception | Low | Moderate |
| Open-world PvP | No | No |
| Full-loot PvP | No | No |
| Housing | Instanced | Instanced |
| Steam Deck | Playable | Verified |
| Cross-play | Partial / N/A | No |
| Cross-progression | Partial / N/A | No |
| Update cadence | Active | Active |
| Best for | Tolkien devotees; Slow-travel explorers; Roleplayers; Cozy community seekers | Elder Scrolls fans; Solo questers; Explorers; Housing enthusiasts |
Pick The Lord of the Rings Online if you want…
- Tolkien devotees
- Slow-travel explorers
- Roleplayers
- Cozy community seekers
Pick The Elder Scrolls Online if you want…
- Elder Scrolls fans
- Solo questers
- Explorers
- Housing enthusiasts
Keep exploring
Other matchups
Still torn? Add a third game, or let the quiz decide from how you actually play.