If you‘re a fan of drifting games, you‘ve probably heard of CarX Drift Racing. It‘s one of the most popular mobile drifting games out there, with over 50 million downloads.
But is CarX really free to play? Or is it one of those "freemium" games that suckers you in and then hits you with a bunch of in-app purchases?
Well, I‘m here to settle this debate once and for all. Here‘s the definitive guide on whether CarX Drift Racing is free or not.
The Short Answer: Yes, CarX Drift Racing is 100% Free
Before we dive into the details, let me give you the quick answer:
CarX Drift Racing is completely free to download and play.
There are no trials, no ads, and no sneaky in-app purchases required. You get full access to all the core gameplay features without paying a cent.
The developer (CarX Technologies) makes money from optional in-app purchases that let you unlock new cars and upgrades faster. But you can ignore these completely and still enjoy hours of drifting action without spending any money.
So in short – yes, this is a legit free game!
Downloading CarX Drift Racing for Free is Simple
One of the best things about CarX Drift Racing being free is how easy it is to get started.
If you‘re on mobile, just visit either the App Store (for iOS) or Google Play (for Android) and download the game. It takes just a few seconds and then you‘re ready to drift!
On desktop, head to Steam and you can download the PC version completely free too.
The mobile and PC editions are essentially the same game, just optimized for different platforms. But they all share one thing in common – costing you zero dollars to play!
Millions of Players, 50 Million Downloads…All Without Paying
To really drive home how popular the free version of CarX is, let‘s talk numbers:
- Over 50 million total downloads across mobile and PC
- Over 5 million monthly active players
- Over 450,000 daily active players
- 4.5/5 rating on both the App Store and Google Play
For a free game, these are incredible stats. CarX has more monthly players than many premium racing franchises!
And remember – all these people are playing without paying anything. They simply downloaded the game and started drifting.
This really shows that the free version delivers plenty of content to keep you engaged for hours on end. Paying is purely optional, not at all required.
Gameplay Features – Everything You Could Want for $0
So what exactly do you get in the free version of CarX Drift Racing? A whole lot actually!
Here are some of the core features available without paying:
Drift on iconic tracks – Master famous drift zones like Ebisu Minami and Sidewayz Saitama
Tune and customize – Upgrade your ride with tons of parts and make it your own
Progress through online ranks – Climb from Rookie to Pro League by winning battles
Photo mode – Capture stunning replays and share with friends
Daily challenges – Test your skills and earn sweet rewards
Multiplayer battles – Drift against real opponents in online matchmaking
Campaign mode – Unlock new tracks and cars by completing drifting missions
As you can see, all the key things you could want in a drifting game are right there in the free version. You won’t be left twiddling your thumbs wishing you had more content.
Optional In-App Purchases Let You Unlock Faster
Now, CarX does offer in-app purchases that let you unlock new cars and upgrades instantly.
But it‘s 100% optional. You can ignore it completely and still access all the same gameplay features for free – it will just take more time to progress.
Here‘s a quick run-down of what‘s available to purchase:
Coins – Premium currency used to instantly buy new cars and parts
Car packs – Bundles with multiple new cars and cosmetics
Season pass – Premium battle pass with exclusive seasonal rewards
Again though, you can avoid all this and enjoy endless free drifting. Only spend money if you become really invested and want to speed up your progression.
CarX Offers Great Value Compared to Other Racing Games
If you really want to highlight how consumer-friendly CarX‘s model is, just compare it to premium racing games.
For example:
- Gran Turismo 7 – $69.99 base price
- Forza Horizon 5 – $59.99 base price
- F1 22 – $59.99 base price
All cost at minimum $59.99 just to play! And that‘s before you even consider additional DLC and microtransactions included in those games.
Meanwhile, CarX gives you an authentic drifting experience for a grand total of $0. And all the content is achievable for free if you‘re patient.
Clearly CarX offers amazing value compared to "pay-to-play" racing franchises. Free trumps $60 any day!
CarX Continues the Mobile Drifting Tradition Started by CSR Racing
Part of the reason CarX has been so successful is that it follows in the footsteps of other hit mobile racers with free gameplay.
The pioneer of this model was CSR Racing back in 2012. It let you drag race for free on mobile, making money from optional purchases.
This was revolutionary at the time. And it‘s success paved the way for future free racing games like CarX.
So in a sense, CarX owes part of its existence to CSR Racing proving this free-to-play model could work. And it took the formula to the next level by applying it to drifting.
CarX Street Brings Free Drifting to Open Worlds
For anyone worried the upcoming CarX Street will abandon this successful free-to-play foundation – don‘t be!
The developer has confirmed CarX Street will carry forward the same model when it launches in 2024. Just like the current games, it will be 100% free to download and play.
In fact, CarX Street doubles down on the free experience by taking drifting into expansive open world environments. This includes fun additions like:
- Street racing – Compete in sanctioned and illegal events
- Urban exploration – Discover hidden spots all around the city
- Garage customization – Make your property uniquely yours
So not only is the core gameplay still free, but there‘s even more free content and activities being added on top!
Tips to Progress Fast Without Spending Money
If you really want to stick to the free route but still unlock cars and upgrades at a good pace, here are some tips:
Complete all daily challenges – They offer great XP and currency rewards
Watch ad videos for bonuses – Optional ads give free coins and XP boosts
Focus on mastering your driving – Better driving means bigger race rewards
Join an active club – Being social helps you progress faster
Tune your car for each track – Take time to optimize your setup
Follow those steps and you‘ll quickly build up your garage with a killer lineup of drift machines!
The Verdict – An Absolute Must-Play for Free-to-Play Fans
After reviewing all the facts, I can say without hesitation that CarX Drift Racing is an incredible free-to-play experience.
You legitimately get the full drifting package at no upfront cost – tons of content, modes, and customization. Optional purchases only serve to accelerate unlocking stuff.
For fans of free gaming, this is a dream come true! Endless high-speed drifting that you can enjoy without spending a penny.
So if you‘re looking for your next racing obsession, be sure to give CarX Drift Racing a shot. It won‘t disappoint your desire for free fun. Just be prepared to kiss your life goodbye as you get sucked into perfecting your drifting skills!
