Are digital board game apps a good substitute?

It really depends on what matters to you. The apps have clear advantages: you don't need to hunt for game pieces, the rules are often explained to you automatically, and you can start a game anytime without waiting for someone else to be free. For solo players or when you want a quick game, a lot of apps are pretty convenient. But honestly, you lose a lot of what makes board games actually fun - the messing around together at the table, the tactical conversations, the feel of moving the pieces. You notice that the digital version just copies the mechanics, not the atmosphere.

I'd say apps don't really replace real games, they're more like a supplement. When I'm out with my dog and have half an hour to kill, I'll happily play something on my phone. But for actually playing together with other people - I'll go for real board games when I can. That said, some apps are pretty well made and keep things fair during play, without cheating like an AI opponent sometimes does. Best just try a few out and see if they're your thing.

I've tried it myself and honestly, it really depends on the game. For complex rules like Gloomhaven, I find the app pretty practical because it takes the math off my hands and I don't have to keep flipping through the rulebook. But for games where it's about bluffing or direct interaction, I just miss the reactions of the other players - online it just feels dead somehow. For me the best approach is a mix: apps for solo sessions or when I don't have much time, the physical game with friends when it's actually about having fun.