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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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!
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.
Caravan
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.
Tap Heroes
Welcome to the first puppet show RPG! Participate in battling a ton of foes, buy new upgrades, cast magic and recruit new Heroes. Or just sit back and enjoy the show as your Heroes fight on their own while you watch or do other things.
Rusty's Retirement
A relaxing idle-farming simulator that sits at the bottom of your screen while you do other things.
Little Big Workshop
Manage your workers, stations, machines and create awesome stuff as your little big workshop grows into your dream factory!
Help Will Come Tomorrow
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.
Tiny Pasture
Meet your new little desk buddies! They’ll snooze, scratch, and scamper around while you work or study (don’t worry, they’ve been trained not to invade your workspace). If you’re good at animal management, they will occupy the bottom of your screen with different kinds and colors!
Masterplan Tycoon
Welcome to the resource management game where your creativity and logistics skills are put to the test! In this minimalistic simulation you will build interconnected chains of products and open new missions by completing various tasks to create the biggest system you can.
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）
Weedcraft Inc
Weedcraft Inc explores the business of producing, breeding and selling weed in America, delving deep into the financial, political and cultural aspects of the country's complex relationship with this troublesome and promising plant.
TransOcean: The Shipping Company
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.
News Tower
Develop your newspaper and become New York’s new media mogul! In this tycoon, build and manage your newspaper from printer to toilet. Create your editorial line and lead your journalists through unique 1930's stories and dig out the latest scoops!
Big Pharma
What if you had it in your power to rid the world of disease, to improve the lives of millions, to ease suffering and cure the sick… and earn a tidy profit? As the head of your own Pharmaceutical Conglomerate you have this power resting in your hands. Will you use it for good?
Industry Giant 2
Economic booms, stock market crashes, oil crises, upswings, triumphs... Now you can become the greatest power in industry!
Dead In Bermuda
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.
Astro Colony
Explore endless Universe and create the most efficient constellation of colonies. Build conveyor systems to automate production. Take care of Astronauts and their needs! Establish new colonies as part of intergalactic simulation.
Battle Royale Tycoon
Design and build arenas for your guests to fight in, keep them happy, your workers paid and make a profit!
Through the Darkest of Times
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.
The Guild Gold Edition
It’s the year 1400- the late Middle Ages. Europe sees the dawn of the golden age of the new departures and the free spirit. Under the rule of the bourgeoisie and businessmen, more and more towns are emerging from the clutches of the aristocracy and are achieving independence, power and wealth.
Good Company
Good Company is an in-depth management sim about building a trail-blazing tech corporation. Assemble complex production lines, manage employee logistics, and sell high-quality products on the market to become the best company in the whole county!
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