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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United Penguin Kingdom
A city-building game where you build a penguin settlement and satisfy the various needs of your penguins while dealing with seals and killer whales. Enjoy the growth of your settlement, become the king, and lead the United Penguin Kingdom.
xiuzhen idle
This is a xiuzhen simulation placement game! From the refining of qi, building the foundation to the ascension of the celestial realm, crossed into the divine realm. （The game has been updated with the english mod, but you will need to select the "english" beta in the properties option to update it）
Rusty's Retirement
A relaxing idle-farming simulator that sits at the bottom of your screen while you do other things.
Don Duality
Don Duality is a Chaos Manager game with card mechanics. Send your gangsters to the heist and launder money in your restaurant. Hire staff and upgrade your establishment, but remember that life like a roulette wheel and not everything can be fully controlled in Don's journey.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 April 30th 2025.
1. IdleOn - The Idle RPG
Similarity 59% Create different classes who all work together when you're gone! When you return, spend their loot on powerful upgrades and synergies - but don't be fooled by the simple graphics, IdleOn gets more complex with each World Boss you defeat! IdleOn - The Idle RPG is a idler, pixel graphics and mmorpg game developed and published by Lavaflame2. Released on April 02nd 2021 has received 21,042 reviews of which 16,738 were positive and 4,304 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played game like Idle Research, thanks to its 16,143 peak concurrent players over the last day.
7.8
16,738
4,304
16,143
players
2. Cookie Clicker
Similarity 53% 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 78,685 reviews of which 76,069 were positive and 2,616 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. While seeing 10,734 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among games like Idle Research based on player count.
9.5
76,069
2,616
10,734
players
3. Revolution Idle
Similarity 71% 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 October 11th 2024 has received 3,688 reviews of which 3,140 were positive and 548 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. While seeing 8,360 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among games like Idle Research based on player count.
8.2
3,140
548
8,360
players
4. Unnamed Space Idle
Similarity 60% 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 2,723 reviews of which 2,533 were positive and 190 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 4,518 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
8.9
2,533
190
4,518
players
5. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms
Similarity 54% 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 14,379 reviews of which 11,146 were positive and 3,233 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. With 2,823 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
7.6
11,146
3,233
2,823
players
6. Milky Way Idle
Similarity 50% Milky Way Idle: A multiplayer idle RPG where automation replaces grinding. Level up skills, gather resources, craft powerful items, and battle monsters—all while AFK. Trade in the marketplace, join a guild, team up for party combat, and socialize in chat as you progress effortlessly. Milky Way Idle is a casual, idler and trading game developed and published by cheze. Released on March 06th 2025 has received 597 reviews of which 499 were positive and 98 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. With 2,352 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
7.9
499
98
2,352
players
7. Clicker Heroes
Similarity 62% Ever wondered what one quadrillion damage per second feels like? Wonder no more! Embark on your quest to attain it today! Clicker Heroes is a clicker, idler and casual game developed and published by Playsaurus. Released on May 13th 2015 has received 61,205 reviews of which 54,909 were positive and 6,296 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 2,021 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
8.8
54,909
6,296
2,021
players
8. Cornerpond
Similarity 59% A chill idle-fishing desktop toy in the corner of your screen. Buy upgrades, catch rare fish, and customize your avatar at your own pace! Cornerpond is a simulation, idler and fishing game developed and published by foolsroom. Released on April 21st 2025 has received 395 reviews of which 386 were positive and 9 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 1,967 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
9.0
386
9
1,967
players
9. Idling to Rule the Gods
Similarity 57% Idling to Rule the Gods is a free to play Idle-Game with a lot of content and some Minigames. Depending on your play-style, you can play it fast or slow. Either way it can be fun for hundreds of hours! Idling to Rule the Gods is a free to play, indie and simulation game developed and published by Shugasu GmbH. Released on May 27th 2016 has received 1,891 reviews of which 1,618 were positive and 273 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. With 1,367 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
8.2
1,618
273
1,367
players
10. AdVenture Capitalist
Similarity 68% Welcome, eager young investor, to AdVenture Capitalist! Arguably the world's greatest Capitalism simulator! AdVenture Capitalist is a clicker, idler and capitalism game developed and published by Hyper Hippo Games. Released on March 30th 2015 has received 58,982 reviews of which 51,815 were positive and 7,167 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. With 1,322 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
8.7
51,815
7,167
1,322
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 April 30th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted games like Idle Research.
1. United Penguin Kingdom
Similarity 63% A city-building game where you build a penguin settlement and satisfy the various needs of your penguins while dealing with seals and killer whales. Enjoy the growth of your settlement, become the king, and lead the United Penguin Kingdom. United Penguin Kingdom is a strategy, strategy, city builder, city builder, survival and survival game developed by Turquoise Revival Games and published by GrabTheGames and UpgradePoint. Released on March 09th 2024 has received 385 reviews of which 297 were positive and 88 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Featuring a massive 70% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for games like Idle Research.
7.3
297
88
-70%
14.79€
4.43€
2. Don Duality
Similarity 51% Don Duality is a Chaos Manager game with card mechanics. Send your gangsters to the heist and launder money in your restaurant. Hire staff and upgrade your establishment, but remember that life like a roulette wheel and not everything can be fully controlled in Don's journey. Don Duality is a casual, card game and rogue-like game developed by Königsborgs and published by Ravenage Games and 2P Games. Released on August 25th 2023 has received 366 reviews of which 243 were positive and 123 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 63% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in games like Idle Research.
6.4
243
123
-63%
14.81€
5.48€
3. Outpath
Similarity 58% An experimental clicker base building game. Craft, gather & manage resources, build your base and buy more islands to exploit and expand! Outpath is a simulation, base-building and crafting game developed by David Moralejo Sánchez and published by GrabTheGames and UpgradePoint. Released on October 16th 2023 has received 2,539 reviews of which 2,400 were positive and 139 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. Thanks to its 50% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in games like Idle Research.
9.0
2,400
139
-50%
14.79€
7.39€
4. Outpath
Similarity 58% An experimental clicker base building game. Craft, gather & manage resources, build your base and buy more islands to exploit and expand! Outpath is a game developed and published by . Released on October 16th 2023 has received 2,539 reviews of which 2,400 were positive and 139 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a 50% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for games like Idle Research.
9.0
2,400
139
-50%
14.79€
7.39€
5. xiuzhen idle
Similarity 60% This is a xiuzhen simulation placement game! From the refining of qi, building the foundation to the ascension of the celestial realm, crossed into the divine realm. （The game has been updated with the english mod, but you will need to select the "english" beta in the properties option to update it） xiuzhen idle is a idler, indie and word game game developed and published by 游戏养家工作室. Released on February 04th 2025 has received 2,234 reviews of which 1,777 were positive and 457 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a 20% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for games like Idle Research.
7.7
1,777
457
-20%
5.89€
4.71€
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 April 30th 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. IdleOn - The Idle RPG
Similarity 59% Create different classes who all work together when you're gone! When you return, spend their loot on powerful upgrades and synergies - but don't be fooled by the simple graphics, IdleOn gets more complex with each World Boss you defeat! IdleOn - The Idle RPG is a idler, pixel graphics and mmorpg game developed and published by Lavaflame2. Released on April 02nd 2021 has received 21,042 reviews of which 16,738 were positive and 4,304 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 16,143 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free games like Idle Research.
7.8
16,738
4,304
16,143
players
2. Revolution Idle
Similarity 71% 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 October 11th 2024 has received 3,688 reviews of which 3,140 were positive and 548 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 8,360, this game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free games like Idle Research.
8.2
3,140
548
8,360
players
3. Unnamed Space Idle
Similarity 60% 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 2,723 reviews of which 2,533 were positive and 190 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 4,518, this game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free games like Idle Research.
8.9
2,533
190
4,518
players
4. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms
Similarity 54% 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 14,379 reviews of which 11,146 were positive and 3,233 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 2,823 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
7.6
11,146
3,233
2,823
players
5. Milky Way Idle
Similarity 50% Milky Way Idle: A multiplayer idle RPG where automation replaces grinding. Level up skills, gather resources, craft powerful items, and battle monsters—all while AFK. Trade in the marketplace, join a guild, team up for party combat, and socialize in chat as you progress effortlessly. Milky Way Idle is a casual, idler and trading game developed and published by cheze. Released on March 06th 2025 has received 597 reviews of which 499 were positive and 98 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 2,352 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
7.9
499
98
2,352
players
6. Clicker Heroes
Similarity 62% Ever wondered what one quadrillion damage per second feels like? Wonder no more! Embark on your quest to attain it today! Clicker Heroes is a clicker, idler and casual game developed and published by Playsaurus. Released on May 13th 2015 has received 61,205 reviews of which 54,909 were positive and 6,296 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 2,021 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
8.8
54,909
6,296
2,021
players
7. Idling to Rule the Gods
Similarity 57% Idling to Rule the Gods is a free to play Idle-Game with a lot of content and some Minigames. Depending on your play-style, you can play it fast or slow. Either way it can be fun for hundreds of hours! Idling to Rule the Gods is a free to play, indie and simulation game developed and published by Shugasu GmbH. Released on May 27th 2016 has received 1,891 reviews of which 1,618 were positive and 273 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 1,367 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
8.2
1,618
273
1,367
players
8. AdVenture Capitalist
Similarity 68% Welcome, eager young investor, to AdVenture Capitalist! Arguably the world's greatest Capitalism simulator! AdVenture Capitalist is a clicker, idler and capitalism game developed and published by Hyper Hippo Games. Released on March 30th 2015 has received 58,982 reviews of which 51,815 were positive and 7,167 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 1,322 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
8.7
51,815
7,167
1,322
players
9. Galaxy Idle Clicker
Similarity 60% Embark on an interstellar journey with Galaxy Idle Clicker! Conquer galaxies, upgrade your spaceship, and face off against a myriad of enemy ships. With engaging minigames, powerful upgrades, GIC delivers an unparalleled idle space adventure. Join the cosmic conquest today and dominate the universe! Galaxy Idle Clicker is a idler, casual and clicker game developed and published by Soehnle. Released on July 18th 2024 has received 634 reviews of which 481 were positive and 153 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 1,275 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #9 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
7.2
481
153
1,275
players
10. Idle Hero TD - Tower Defense
Similarity 62% Endless idle tower defense game full of deep strategy and combat mechanics. Unlock and upgrade dozens of epic fantasy heroes to defeat an infinite swarm of enemy monsters. Strategize hero positions, synergies, and skills for an effective defense, then sit back and let the auto-battler do its thing! Idle Hero TD - Tower Defense is a early access, strategy and tower defense game developed and published by Swell Games LLC. Released on May 03rd 2024 has received 608 reviews of which 500 were positive and 108 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 900 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #10 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
7.8
500
108
900
players