Download vs. Instant Play

As you peruse our list of the sites with the best no deposit bonuses on the Internet, you’ll notice that we offer reviews of each site. On those reviews, you may notice that we talk about downloadable software and instant play. What’s the difference, and why should you care?

Instant Play is just that – you’re going to play instantly. With a simple click of the mouse, you’re in the game. Ideally, this is what we all want, but believe it or not, there are some drawbacks.

For some sites – not every site – the instant play version of the site is a stripped down version of the site. This could mean that there’s less games offered, or maybe the games that are offered aren’t as flashy. With instant play, they’re working within the limits of the web browser, so they’ll do their best to give you an authentic experience, but it could very well be limited in some capacity.

Some people frown upon downloadable software versions of the site. You can thank this due to the “online gambling sites are full of viruses!” stigma that’s been floating around for the better part of two decades. While that may have been true in 1996, that’s not true in 2015. However, there are some drawbacks. You’re limited to the machine you’re on with download software, and sometimes, there’s no way to transfer your information.

So, wait – this all sounds terrible, right? Far from it! Both provide very specific advantages, too!

With instant play sites, they’re very flexible in terms of where they can be played. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or a new tablet – if your device can load a website and supports flash, there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to play on the site. This is a huge advantage for instant play websites. When the user isn’t tied down to a specific platform, they’re happy. Even better, all of your information will transfer between the two platforms.

Downloadable sites offer very specific advantages, too. You won’t have to deal with any annoying website issues, and since you’re downloading a dedicated client, you’re going to get the best experience possible. Developers work tirelessly on these desktop clients because they want you to get a unique, memorable experience, so if you’re primarily playing from a single desktop or a laptop, a downloadable client is the way to go.

It boils down to the lifestyle that you lead. If you’re frequently changing computers and constantly on the go, you’ll want a site that supports instant play. If you’re playing primarily from a single location, a downloadable client will be more suited for your needs. Each provides a set of specific advantages and disadvantages, so make sure to choose the site method that’s perfect for you.