Games like Idle Research on Steam
For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free games like Idle Research are available at the bottom of the page.
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Farmer Against Potatoes Idle
Pick up your sword and fight off waves of Potatoes by upgrading your stats constantly, use Equipment, choose between different Classes, put your many Talents to good use, and so much more designed to keep you entertained for a long time.
Trailer Park Boys: Greasy Money
Trailer Park Boys: Greasy Money is an idle clicker game where you run Sunnyvale Trailer Park. Upgrade your businesses and hire characters to run them while you’re gone. Complete challenges to unlock trunks and bust them open for collectible cards, liquor, hash and cash.
Chicken Farm 2K17
Chicken Farm is a management game with clicker aspects, where you buy chickens, catch the eggs, work at the market, sell your chickens and ultimately profit.
The Perfect Tower II
The Perfect Tower II is a mix between an incremental and a tower defense game. Build a town, manage resources and explore a variety of mini-games and tons of upgrades. Fully automate your game and watch numbers going up!
Drill Deal: Borehole (Alpha)
Drill Deal is a unique simulator in a fun style that will draw you for hours. It's a building simulator like never before. Feel the thrill of a drill hitting underwater oil fields. Sell the precious substance and make your oil rig more efficient.
Swarm Simulator: Evolution
What is this? A game for ants?!? Hatch a quintillion bugs. Conquer the UNIVERSE!
AdVenture Capitalist
Welcome, eager young investor, to AdVenture Capitalist! Arguably the world's greatest Capitalism simulator!
Kingdom: Classic
Kingdom is a 2D sidescrolling strategy/resource management hybrid with a minimalist feel wrapped in a beautiful, modern pixel art aesthetic.
Idle Bouncer
Make the balls jump, upgrade and change the world! Drop the balls to generate energy with each bounce. Upgrade available balls and buy new ones to generate even more energy. Sell your balls empire to get meta-energy to change the world!
Smart Factory Tycoon: Beginnings
This is a free version of Smart Factory Tycoon, a game inspired by Little Big Workshop introducing the first productions. Smart Factory Tycoon is a tycoon management game where you design your dream factory with robots, plan all steps of production, research new technologies and become a tycoon!
Factory Town Idle
An entire town builder experience packed into a living spreadsheet. Build housing, assign workers, then craft and sell a huge variety of items to level up your town and expand your civilization across the world!
Trimps
A text-based incremental idle game with a ridiculous amount of unique content. Automate old stuff as you unlock new stuff to keep things interesting for hours and hours, no spam clicking necessary! Trimps is everything you love about your favorite games, distilled to their purest form.
Mewing Simulator 🤫🧏🏻♂️
Funny clicker game👆 in which you should increase your chin🤫🧏🏻♂️ for becoming trully sigma😎. Upgrade your Brainrot🧠 and Gyat Size🍑 and etc for more score! 💪💪💪🚽
Realm Revolutions
Earning coins and resources is more fun than ever with this new idle game inspired by Swarm Simulator and Realm Grinder! Buy buildings and hire people, and be ready for a revolution! Your citizens will be very happy if you deal with their discontent, giving you a production bonus!
Widget Inc.
A hybrid factory builder / incremental clicker game. Starting from humble beginnings, master the many crafting processes to build up resources and expand your factory. Then, using your newly automated production, unlock new technology and grow ever closer to your goal of spreading to the stars.
Cheeky Chooks
Build a Cheeky Chooks HENPIRE! Collect a tonne of unique ultra rare chooks, build and customise your farm from a Chook Shed to a CHOOKTOPIA!
Shop Tycoon: Prepare your wallet
Shop Tycoon is a store simulator. Create a supermarket, sex shop, games store or a store with good Polish vodka. Place your logo, hire employees, expand your car fleet, build offices and parking lots, create a chain of stores and more!
Idle Slayer
Idle Slayer is an incremental game with idle and active playstyle mechanics, medieval pixel art visuals and retro 8-bit sounds and music.
Transport Defender
Defend the transport ship from being captured by enemy waves on the way to the jump hole. Upgrade weapons, kill enemies, get cargo, transfer cargo, buy features, repeat.
Plantera 2: Golden Acorn
The round blue Mellows return to tend to the Garden once more. Grow plants, bushes, trees, animals, water features and the great magical oak tree that has been rumored to have placed its seed there. Tend to the oak tree and grow it to the sky to harvest its Golden Acorns.
Split or Steal
Have you ever wanted to devote your time and energy to amassing a small fortune, and then place total trust in a complete stranger to not steal it all away from you?
Cosmic Sugar VR
Cosmic Sugar is an elegant, GPU driven simulation space. Vive wands become attractors or repulsors which allow you to craft nebulas. The controls are very simple, but it takes some time to explore all of the possibilities. Thanks to East Forest for the trailer music.
Most played games like Idle Research on Steam
Take a look at the top games like Idle Research that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 16th 2025.
1. Bongo Cat
Similarity 53% Bongo cat needs your help. Bongo cat needz more hatz!!! Every time you press a key, Bongo cat will punch your taskbar. Type, click, play, work to collect more points. Which hats will you find? Bongo Cat is a cats, free to play and casual game developed by Marcel Zurawka and published by Irox Games. Released on March 05th 2025 has received 23,425 reviews of which 22,904 were positive and 521 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played game like Idle Research, thanks to its 144,381 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.6
22,904
521
144,381
players
2. Banana
Similarity 56% Banana is a clicker Game, in which you click a Banana! In Banana you click the Banana to gain even more Bananas! Every 3 hours, you get dropped a banana. Each banana is also made by the community in discord. Come hang out with us and let's grow into something awesome ! Banana is a free to play, clicker and singleplayer game developed by Sky, AestheticSpartan and O'Brian and published by Sky. Released on April 23rd 2024 has received 89,834 reviews of which 73,975 were positive and 15,859 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. While seeing 101,090 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among games like Idle Research based on player count.
8.1
73,975
15,859
101,090
players
3. IdleOn - The Idle RPG
Similarity 51% Create your own heroes who keep fighting wherever you leave them! When you return, spend their loot on upgrades and powerful synergies — but don't expect an ending, as defeating each World Boss unlocks MORE content! IdleOn - The Idle RPG is a idler, pixel graphics and free to play game developed and published by Lavaflame2. Released on April 02nd 2021 has received 21,716 reviews of which 17,310 were positive and 4,406 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. While seeing 11,841 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among games like Idle Research based on player count.
7.8
17,310
4,406
11,841
players
4. Revolution Idle
Similarity 75% Join an experience where each revolution takes you further into the unknown! Revolution Idle challenges you to multiply your accumulators to reach unimaginable heights. Will you manage to reach infinity? Revolution Idle is a casual, simulation and idler game developed by Oni Gaming and Nu Games and published by Oni Gaming. Released on May 01st 2025 has received 4,820 reviews of which 4,089 were positive and 731 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. With 11,649 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
8.2
4,089
731
11,649
players
5. Cookie Clicker
Similarity 41% An idle game about making cookies! Originally released in 2013 on the web, and actively developed since then. This is the official version for Steam. Cookie Clicker is a clicker, idler and casual game developed by Orteil and DashNet and published by Playsaurus. Released on September 01st 2021 has received 79,892 reviews of which 77,218 were positive and 2,674 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 9,676 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
9.5
77,218
2,674
9,676
players
6. Unnamed Space Idle
Similarity 69% Destroy endless waves of alien ships that have all but wiped out humanity in this long form, unfolding, sci-fi idle game. Customize your ship with different weapons and defenses to defeat specific enemy types and utilize a ton of different systems to increase your overall power. Unnamed Space Idle is a idler, casual and free to play game developed by Sylv and published by Jdog Corp. Released on July 27th 2023 has received 2,894 reviews of which 2,691 were positive and 203 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 3,932 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
8.9
2,691
203
3,932
players
7. NGU IDLE
Similarity 72% NGU Idle is a Free To Play Idle game that's full of weird humor, tons of upgrades and hundreds of hours of content! Try out NGU Idle today and experience the joy of Numbers Going Up! NGU IDLE is a free to play, idler and indie game developed and published by 4G. Released on October 01st 2019 has received 12,068 reviews of which 11,564 were positive and 504 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 3,270 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
9.3
11,564
504
3,270
players
8. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms
Similarity 63% Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms is a Dungeons & Dragons strategy management game uniting Champions from throughout the D&D multiverse into a grand adventure. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms is a dungeons & dragons, free to play and idler game developed and published by Codename Entertainment Inc.. Released on March 25th 2020 has received 14,480 reviews of which 11,212 were positive and 3,268 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. With 3,187 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
7.6
11,212
3,268
3,187
players
9. Your Chronicle
Similarity 48% "Let's begin your own story." This is a text-based idle RPG game. There are already more than 3,000 unique story actions and it's still growing. Your Chronicle is a rpg, idler and text-based game developed and published by Samurai Games. Released on April 04th 2021 has received 2,048 reviews of which 1,640 were positive and 408 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. With 3,186 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
7.7
1,640
408
3,186
players
10. Tap Ninja - Idle game
Similarity 42% Defeat enemies, earn gold, upgrade your village, become a Ninja Master! Tap Ninja - Idle game is a clicker, idler and casual game developed and published by Broken Glass. Released on March 17th 2022 has received 8,543 reviews of which 7,277 were positive and 1,266 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 2,348 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
8.3
7,277
1,266
2,348
players
Best deals on games like Idle Research on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of games like Idle Research available on Steam right now, updated on June 16th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted games like Idle Research.
1. Help Will Come Tomorrow
Similarity 45% In an uninhabitable Siberian wilderness, in a wake of October Revolution, a group of passengers survives the mysterious catastrophe of Trans-Siberian railway train. They must endure in a harsh ice-clad climate until rescue arrives. Facing many dangers, their own weaknesses and, their own prejudice. Help Will Come Tomorrow is a survival, adventure and resource management game developed by Arclight Creations and published by Klabater. Released on April 21st 2020 has received 893 reviews of which 714 were positive and 179 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Featuring a massive 98% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for games like Idle Research.
7.6
714
179
-98%
19.99€
0.46€
2. Picklock
Similarity 41% Join exciting adventure of escaping from cops. Be tricky and use your skills to complete your missions in green town. If you’re successful, you can enjoy well-deserved vacation at the seaside. Picklock is a strategy, simulation and indie game developed and published by Creepy Brothers. Released on May 07th 2020 has received 450 reviews of which 391 were positive and 59 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 97% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in games like Idle Research.
8.1
391
59
-97%
8.99€
0.34€
3. Little Big Workshop
Similarity 45% Manage your workers, stations, machines and create awesome stuff as your little big workshop grows into your dream factory! Little Big Workshop is a simulation, strategy and management game developed by Mirage Game Studios and published by HandyGames. Released on October 17th 2019 has received 3,266 reviews of which 2,731 were positive and 535 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 97% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in games like Idle Research.
8.1
2,731
535
-97%
19.99€
0.66€
4. Through the Darkest of Times
Similarity 40% Berlin 1933. “Adolf Hitler is chancellor!” We all know the consequences this message bore. Unspeakable horrors and suffering would sweep across the world. Few would stand and fight the monstrosity that was the German Reich. Will you? Lead an underground resistance group Through the Darkest of Times. Through the Darkest of Times is a strategy, simulation and indie game developed by Paintbucket Games and published by HandyGames. Released on January 30th 2020 has received 1,086 reviews of which 912 were positive and 174 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for games like Idle Research.
8.0
912
174
-97%
14.99€
0.52€
5. Dead In Bermuda
Similarity 42% DEAD IN BERMUDA is a survival management game with RPG and adventure elements. Lead a team of 8 survivors from a plane crash. Assign them to tasks, gain experience, develop your survival skills, research and craft new items, explore the island and solve its mysteries. Dead In Bermuda is a survival, strategy and simulation game developed and published by Ishtar Games. Released on August 27th 2015 has received 566 reviews of which 414 were positive and 152 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for games like Idle Research.
7.0
414
152
-97%
14.99€
0.50€
6. Industry Giant 2
Similarity 42% Economic booms, stock market crashes, oil crises, upswings, triumphs... Now you can become the greatest power in industry! Industry Giant 2 is a strategy, simulation and economy game developed by Fancy Bytes and Reactor and published by Toplitz Productions. Released on August 14th 2015 has received 946 reviews of which 816 were positive and 130 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for games like Idle Research.
8.2
816
130
-95%
9.99€
0.53€
7. Help Will Come Tomorrow
Similarity 45% In an uninhabitable Siberian wilderness, in a wake of October Revolution, a group of passengers survives the mysterious catastrophe of Trans-Siberian railway train. They must endure in a harsh ice-clad climate until rescue arrives. Facing many dangers, their own weaknesses and, their own prejudice. Help Will Come Tomorrow is a game developed and published by . Released on April 21st 2020 has received 893 reviews of which 714 were positive and 179 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for games like Idle Research.
7.6
714
179
-98%
19.99€
0.46€
8. Caravan
Similarity 50% Are you ready to embark on a journey through deserts and dangers? Will you be able to safely navigate your fellowship through the lands of the Orient and uncover your destiny? Through strategic trading and traveling you will overcome obstacles and adversity. Caravan is a strategy, adventure and simulation game developed by It Matters Games and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on September 30th 2016 has received 1,007 reviews of which 782 were positive and 225 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for games like Idle Research.
7.4
782
225
-95%
5.99€
0.32€
9. TransOcean: The Shipping Company
Similarity 44% TransOcean – The Shipping Company is your ticket to the world of gigantic ships and transnational transport empires. Build a mighty fleet of modern merchant ships and conquer the seven seas. TransOcean: The Shipping Company is a simulation, strategy and management game developed by Deck13 Hamburg and published by astragon Entertainment. Released on September 23rd 2014 has received 1,277 reviews of which 943 were positive and 334 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for games like Idle Research.
7.1
943
334
-95%
19.99€
1.00€
10. Through the Darkest of Times
Similarity 40% Berlin 1933. “Adolf Hitler is chancellor!” We all know the consequences this message bore. Unspeakable horrors and suffering would sweep across the world. Few would stand and fight the monstrosity that was the German Reich. Will you? Lead an underground resistance group Through the Darkest of Times. Through the Darkest of Times is a game developed and published by . Released on January 30th 2020 has received 1,086 reviews of which 912 were positive and 174 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for games like Idle Research.
8.0
912
174
-97%
14.99€
0.52€
Free games like Idle Research on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play games like Idle Research you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 16th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play games like Idle Research.
1. Bongo Cat
Similarity 53% Bongo cat needs your help. Bongo cat needz more hatz!!! Every time you press a key, Bongo cat will punch your taskbar. Type, click, play, work to collect more points. Which hats will you find? Bongo Cat is a cats, free to play and casual game developed by Marcel Zurawka and published by Irox Games. Released on March 05th 2025 has received 23,425 reviews of which 22,904 were positive and 521 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 144,381 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free games like Idle Research.
9.6
22,904
521
144,381
players
2. Banana
Similarity 56% Banana is a clicker Game, in which you click a Banana! In Banana you click the Banana to gain even more Bananas! Every 3 hours, you get dropped a banana. Each banana is also made by the community in discord. Come hang out with us and let's grow into something awesome ! Banana is a free to play, clicker and singleplayer game developed by Sky, AestheticSpartan and O'Brian and published by Sky. Released on April 23rd 2024 has received 89,834 reviews of which 73,975 were positive and 15,859 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 101,090, this game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free games like Idle Research.
8.1
73,975
15,859
101,090
players
3. IdleOn - The Idle RPG
Similarity 51% Create your own heroes who keep fighting wherever you leave them! When you return, spend their loot on upgrades and powerful synergies — but don't expect an ending, as defeating each World Boss unlocks MORE content! IdleOn - The Idle RPG is a idler, pixel graphics and free to play game developed and published by Lavaflame2. Released on April 02nd 2021 has received 21,716 reviews of which 17,310 were positive and 4,406 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 11,841, this game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free games like Idle Research.
7.8
17,310
4,406
11,841
players
4. Revolution Idle
Similarity 75% Join an experience where each revolution takes you further into the unknown! Revolution Idle challenges you to multiply your accumulators to reach unimaginable heights. Will you manage to reach infinity? Revolution Idle is a casual, simulation and idler game developed by Oni Gaming and Nu Games and published by Oni Gaming. Released on May 01st 2025 has received 4,820 reviews of which 4,089 were positive and 731 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 11,649 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
8.2
4,089
731
11,649
players
5. Unnamed Space Idle
Similarity 69% Destroy endless waves of alien ships that have all but wiped out humanity in this long form, unfolding, sci-fi idle game. Customize your ship with different weapons and defenses to defeat specific enemy types and utilize a ton of different systems to increase your overall power. Unnamed Space Idle is a idler, casual and free to play game developed by Sylv and published by Jdog Corp. Released on July 27th 2023 has received 2,894 reviews of which 2,691 were positive and 203 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 3,932 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
8.9
2,691
203
3,932
players
6. NGU IDLE
Similarity 72% NGU Idle is a Free To Play Idle game that's full of weird humor, tons of upgrades and hundreds of hours of content! Try out NGU Idle today and experience the joy of Numbers Going Up! NGU IDLE is a free to play, idler and indie game developed and published by 4G. Released on October 01st 2019 has received 12,068 reviews of which 11,564 were positive and 504 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 3,270 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
9.3
11,564
504
3,270
players
7. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms
Similarity 63% Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms is a Dungeons & Dragons strategy management game uniting Champions from throughout the D&D multiverse into a grand adventure. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms is a dungeons & dragons, free to play and idler game developed and published by Codename Entertainment Inc.. Released on March 25th 2020 has received 14,480 reviews of which 11,212 were positive and 3,268 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 3,187 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
7.6
11,212
3,268
3,187
players
8. Your Chronicle
Similarity 48% "Let's begin your own story." This is a text-based idle RPG game. There are already more than 3,000 unique story actions and it's still growing. Your Chronicle is a rpg, idler and text-based game developed and published by Samurai Games. Released on April 04th 2021 has received 2,048 reviews of which 1,640 were positive and 408 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 3,186 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
7.7
1,640
408
3,186
players
9. Tap Ninja - Idle game
Similarity 42% Defeat enemies, earn gold, upgrade your village, become a Ninja Master! Tap Ninja - Idle game is a clicker, idler and casual game developed and published by Broken Glass. Released on March 17th 2022 has received 8,543 reviews of which 7,277 were positive and 1,266 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 2,348 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #9 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
8.3
7,277
1,266
2,348
players
10. Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends
Similarity 64% The epic story of evolution, technology, humanity, and dinosaurs is yours to tap. Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends is a clicker, free to play and simulation game developed and published by Computer Lunch. Released on November 03rd 2021 has received 23,690 reviews of which 21,284 were positive and 2,406 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 2,346 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #10 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
8.8
21,284
2,406
2,346
players