Azul vs Patchwork
A side-by-side comparison of two of the most-asked-about board games — using only verified specs from our catalogue. No invented rules, no fluff.
Specs and BoardGameGeek rankings current as of June 2026. Gaps in our data show as a dash (—).
| Azul | Patchwork | |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 2017 | 2014 |
| Players | 2–4 | 2 |
| Playtime | ~30 min | ~15 min |
| Recommended age | 8+ | 8+ |
| Complexity (BGG weight) | 1.8 / 5 | 1.6 / 5 |
| BGG rank | #99 | #148 |
| Designers | Michael Kiesling | Uwe Rosenberg |
| Key mechanics | Chaining, End Game Bonuses, Grid Coverage, Open Drafting | Grid Coverage, Income, Open Drafting, Rondel |
Both games share these mechanics: Grid Coverage, Open Drafting, Square Grid, Tile Placement.
Which should you get?
Based only on the specs above — not on opinion:
- Both sit at a similar weight (1.8 and 1.6 of 5 on BoardGameGeek), so neither is the obvious 'lighter' pick.
- For bigger groups, Azul stretches further (2–4 players).
- On raw BoardGameGeek ranking, Azul currently sits higher (#99 vs #148).
Both are well-loved games; the "right" one depends on your group. Read the full entries for Azul and Patchwork.
Where to buy
Patchwork
Find Patchwork on Amazon →Amazon links are affiliate search links. As an Amazon Associate, EveryGameMade earns from qualifying purchases.
Common questions
Is Azul or Patchwork harder to learn?
They're close: Azul is rated 1.8 of 5 and Patchwork 1.6 of 5 on BoardGameGeek, so both are a similar level to learn.
Which is faster to play, Azul or Patchwork?
Patchwork is the quicker game at about 15 minutes, versus roughly 30 minutes for Azul.
How many players do Azul and Patchwork support?
Azul plays with 2–4 players; Patchwork plays with 2 players.