What Is a Tier List Creator and How Do You Make One for Free?

Updated

A tier list creator is a tool that lets you sort items into ranked tiers—typically labeled S, A, B, C, and so on—by dragging them into place. You use one when you want to compare things visually: game characters, tools, movies, or anything else where "better" and "worse" matter more than a numeric score. Free options exist, and some, like OpenTierBoy, require no account and no payment: you build a list and share it by copying the URL. That last point is the main condition to check before committing to any tool—some creators gate sharing or saving behind a login.

What a tier list creator actually does

At minimum, a creator gives you three things:

  • Tiers you can label and reorder. Default labels are usually S through F, but most tools let you rename them.
  • Items you add as text or images. You type a name, paste an image URL, or upload a file, depending on the tool.
  • A drag-and-drop surface. You move items between tiers until the ranking reflects your judgment.

Everything else—templates, export formats, sharing links—is a differentiator, not a core feature.

Free and open-source creators: what "free" usually means

OpenTierBoy describes itself as a free, open-source tier list creator with no ads, no logins, and no sign-ups, and it says you share a list by copying its URL. That combination matters because it removes two common friction points: account creation and paywalled export.

When you evaluate any free creator, check these separately:

Question Why it matters
Is an account required to save or share? Determines whether you can use it anonymously
Is the source code open? Affects whether the tool can be self-hosted or audited
How is sharing done—link, image, or embed? Determines how you can post the result elsewhere
Are there ads or trackers? Affects load speed and privacy

A tool can be free but still require login, or be open-source but not hosted for you. Treat each as an independent condition.

How to create a tier list from scratch

The general workflow is the same across most creators. Using OpenTierBoy as the reference, since its page shows both a blank-list option and prebuilt templates:

  1. Choose a starting point. Pick a template if your topic is covered—the site lists templates for games such as THE FINALS, SUPERVIVE, Wuthering Waves, Overwatch, and Helldivers 2, plus a Web Development Technologies list. Otherwise, select Create Blank List.
  2. Add your items. Enter each item you want to rank. If the tool supports images, add those too; image-based lists read faster than text-only ones.
  3. Set your tier labels. Rename or add tiers so the labels match your criteria—for example, "Must-pick / Situational / Skip" instead of S–F.
  4. Drag items into tiers. This is the actual ranking step. Expect to move things more than once; the first pass is usually rough.
  5. Share. Copy the URL the tool generates. Anyone with the link sees your list without installing anything.

Expected result: a ranked, shareable page or image. Common snag: if you close the tab before the tool persists your work, an unsaved list may be lost—so confirm how saving works before you invest time in a long list.

Sharing and collaboration

Sharing methods differ, and the method determines your audience:

  • Copy-paste URL — fastest, works in chat and social posts, but the recipient needs the link.
  • Image export — works anywhere an image can be posted, but it's static; no one can re-rank it.
  • Embed — useful for a blog or wiki, but not all creators offer it.

If you want others to build on your ranking rather than just view it, a link-based tool is the better fit, provided the tool lets viewers duplicate or edit the list. Check that before assuming collaboration is possible.

Common uses

  • Game character and loadout rankings — the most common case, and the reason most templates exist.
  • Product or tool comparisons — ranking options by fit for a specific job.
  • Team decisions — a shared visual ranking is faster to argue over than a spreadsheet.
  • Personal prioritization — ranking tasks or features by importance.

Choosing between creators

Use the same criteria for every tool:

  • If you need zero friction (no account, instant share), prioritize tools that explicitly state no login is required.
  • If you need to self-host or modify the tool, prioritize open-source projects.
  • If you need a polished image for social media, prioritize export quality over link sharing.
  • If your topic already has a template, a creator with that template saves setup time.

There's no single best creator—the right one depends on whether your constraint is privacy, customization, or presentation.