Software Providers
Christian WebberOnline casino games don't just come from nowhere. Someone has to design and programme the games. That's exactly what software providers do. Software providers are game developers that build the games you find at online casino. Some even provide the backend technology on which the casino runs.
Some providers are famous for a particular style of slots, while others like Evolution Gaming have carved out a name for themselves in the world of live games.
On this page, we'll talk more about the software providers you can find at online casinos. We'll describe what these providers excel in and their reputation. Of course, we've also tested their games and surveyed other players to see how their goods fare.
Below is a table of the most popular software providers. Not every software provider can be found at every online casino. Therefore, we always list the casino's providers in our casino reviews.
Top Software Providers
NetEnt is one of the leading software providers. It's most famous for its first class production values and rolls out new slots all the time. They also have excellent live dealer games.
Microgaming is one of the top dogs along with NetEnt. They pump out new games all the time and have made some of the most popular slots and highest paying jackpots of all time.
Evolution Gaming is the specialty software provider for live casino games. Not only do they do live blackjack and other table games, they also pioneered live game shows like Dream Catcher which require zero skills to play.
→ Read Evolution Gaming Review
Play'n GO is a well established software developer. They are most famous for their video slots like Reactoonz and the Rich Wilde slot series, but make table games and instant games as well.
Playson was established in 2012 and is a relatively small, but trustworthy software provider. They are most well-known for adding exciting features to fruit machines.
Playtech is also one of the bigger providers. They have a reputation for high variance slots with big payouts and have tons of progressive games in their portfolio.
Quickspin is a developer that's famous for video slots that are packed with all sorts of features like Wilds, Sticky Wilds and everything else you can imagine.
Yggdrasil started out making slots with cool, slick themes. They are a smaller studio but have really taken off the last couple of years as increasingly more players appreciate their craft.
Red Tiger is also a relatively young studio that made a name for itself with some very smart and smooth slots. Lately, they've expanded to making daily jackpot slots.
Hacksaw Gaming is a studio that's famous for prizes that reach the million mark in its video slots and scratchcards. These kinds of payouts used to be found with progressive jackpots only. Not anymore!
Pragmatic Play is a prolific software provider known for its high paying slots and live dealer games. Their Drops & Wins tournaments also add extra cash prizes on top of regular game winnings.
Big Time Gaming was founded in 2011 and is most famous for the Megaways slot mechanism, which they introduced in 2016 and also license to other software developers. Since then BTG has continued to revolutionise slot games with their innovations.
NetEnt and Microgaming are the uncontested leaders in the online casino games business. These two software providers roll out a prolific number of games, ranging from slots, jackpots to table games and live dealer games.
Most casinos carry NetEnt and Microgaming slots. If you're looking for something different, try some of the other software providers who put in a lot of heart and soul to deliver something special. Some might try different and innovative slot formats and features. Big Time Gaming, for example, set the scene on fire with Megaways slots that have hundreds of thousands of ways to win.
Why are Software Providers Important?
Software providers decide on the look and feel of a game. Visually, it will set the mood and tone of your gaming experience. Whether you're looking for something elegant and classical, something edgy and full of funk, or just something cute and pleasant to relax to, there are plenty of different styles to suit your gaming mood.
Of course, there is much more to games than looks. The software provider also decides on things like volatility and RTP - the Return to Player ratio – which are about the sizes of payouts you can expect and how often it pays out.
Once you get a feel for your own playing style, you can start choosing games that fit your preferences. Most casinos nowadays have games from many different providers. Some will let you search for a game by provider. If you know what you like, you can jump straight into those offerings.
What to look for in a Software Provider?
First things first, you want to choose a licensed software provider. This not only means that you are playing casino games that are legal in Canada, but it also ensures that the games have been tested and aren't scams that suck up your money without ever paying out. Choosing a licensed provider is pretty easy though. Basically, the games at online casinos licensed for Canada will all be fine. You just need to choose a reputable online casino and you'll be good. All the casinos listed on Casino.Guide hold Canadian licences, as do the software providers listed on this page.
You also want to make sure the software provider is up to date with the latest technology. The state of the art today is HTML5. All modern developers are building games on this platform to ensure that their goods play on both computers and mobile devices. But again, you don't have to worry much about this. The software providers listed here are all on top of the latest developments. Some of them are even pushing the boundaries to develop more immersive gaming experiences for mobile.
MrGreen offers games from 27 software providers
Now that we have the technicalities out of the way, we get to the exciting stuff. To put it briefly, there really is no easy answer when it comes to choosing a provider. It depends on what you're looking for in a casino game. Graphic style, RTPs, and innovation are largely what makes certain software providers stand out.
That having been said, although most software providers might be particularly famous for a specific kind of gaming experience, many of them do create a range of games. For example, most experienced players will associate Playtech games with high volatility slots and jackpot games, but the studio does actually design many easier slots. Luckily, most casinos carry games from a variety of providers, so you rarely - if ever - have to choose just one!
Conclusion
Back in the days of yore, online casinos would work with just one or two software providers. Today, it's not uncommon to see games from over two dozen developers at an online casino. Players can have all sorts of different games and styles all under one roof. From classic elegance, to irreverent funk, slots, live dealers and live game shows, the choice you can find at online casinos today is enormous.
Although you can find so much variety under one roof, it's still worthwhile taking note of which software providers you like. This will help you get rolling with games that you enjoy and avoid the boring ones. With all that having been said, go ahead and check out some of these providers' games!
Sitting still has never been my strength, and my colleagues say that I don't need a chair because I'm always on the move. My dream to play professional soccer didn't work out, but it turns out mobile gaming is not a bad alternative either. I prefer to be out and about instead of sitting in an office, so mobile gaming has turned out to be the perfect match. I test mobile casinos and their platforms from my phones and tablets so I have a clear idea how they perform on different devices. From performance to the latest mobile promotions, I'm always on top of it all!