Games like Prison Architect on Steam
For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free games like Prison Architect are available at the bottom of the page.
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Builder Simulator
Builder Simulator is the perfect game for those who want to build a house, from the ground up, one brick at a time. On easy, the game will guide and teach you by showing you full instruction, but on hard you will get no help - instead rely on your builder skills and make everything yourself.
Arctic Motel Simulator
Have you ever been to the Arctic? Do you want to open a motel in the Arctic? With the company of aurora, blizzards, polar days and nights, primeval forests, and wild animals, can you turn a run-down motel into a landmark in the Arctic?
Cat Cafe Manager
Travel to the sleepy village of Caterwaul Way and rebuild your grandmother's cat cafe. Renovate your restaurant, befriend the local cats and townsfolk, forge lasting friendships, unravel catty mysteries, and build a home for dozens of unique felines!
Software Inc.
Construct and design buildings for optimal working conditions. Hire people to design and release software, so you can defeat the simulated competition and take over their businesses. Manage and educate your employees to make sure they are skilled and satisfied with their job.
Surviving the Abyss
Earth, 1976. You have been tasked with managing a deep-sea science facility working to perfect cloning. Explore the darkness and keep your crew alive in this hardcore survival colony builder. And beware. The darkness hides untold horrors.
They Are Billions
They Are Billions is a Steampunk strategy game set on a post-apocalyptic planet. Build and defend colonies to survive against the billions of the infected that seek to annihilate the few remaining living humans. Can humanity survive after the zombie apocalypse?
Dream Engines: Nomad Cities
A survival city-building game with flying cities. Build, automate, and defend a flying city that travels between procedurally generated maps to survive in a wacky, nightmare-infested, post-apocalyptic world full of strange science and dreams.
Autonauts
In Autonauts you must build, create, and automate. Start by establishing a colony, crafting bots and teaching them via Scratch-style programming to build an ever evolving autonomous paradise of agriculture, industry and enlightenment.
Most played games like Prison Architect on Steam
Take a look at the top games like Prison Architect that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 16th 2025.
1. RimWorld
Similarity 75% A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more. RimWorld is a colony sim, base-building and survival game developed and published by Ludeon Studios. Released on October 17th 2018 has received 210,517 reviews of which 206,216 were positive and 4,301 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played game like Prison Architect, thanks to its 19,211 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.7
206,216
4,301
19,211
players
2. Factorio
Similarity 57% Factorio is a game about building and creating automated factories to produce items of increasing complexity, within an infinite 2D world. Use your imagination to design your factory, combine simple elements into ingenious structures, and finally protect it from the creatures who don't really like you. Factorio is a automation, base-building and resource management game developed and published by Wube Software LTD.. Released on August 14th 2020 has received 215,209 reviews of which 208,770 were positive and 6,439 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 16,426 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among games like Prison Architect based on player count.
9.6
208,770
6,439
16,426
players
3. Cities: Skylines
Similarity 71% Cities: Skylines is a modern take on the classic city simulation. The game introduces new game play elements to realize the thrill and hardships of creating and maintaining a real city whilst expanding on some well-established tropes of the city building experience. Cities: Skylines is a city builder, simulation and building game developed by Colossal Order Ltd. and published by Paradox Interactive. Released on March 10th 2015 has received 275,770 reviews of which 256,362 were positive and 19,408 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. While seeing 8,842 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among games like Prison Architect based on player count.
9.2
256,362
19,408
8,842
players
4. Oxygen Not Included
Similarity 71% Oxygen Not Included is a space-colony simulation game. Deep inside an alien space rock your industrious crew will need to master science, overcome strange new lifeforms, and harness incredible space tech to survive, and possibly, thrive. Oxygen Not Included is a colony sim, base-building and survival game developed and published by Klei Entertainment. Released on July 30th 2019 has received 128,390 reviews of which 124,220 were positive and 4,170 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 7,545 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played games like Prison Architect.
9.5
124,220
4,170
7,545
players
5. Captain of Industry
Similarity 55% Land your crew of survivors on an abandoned island and survive! Mine raw materials, grow food, build factories, manufacture products, research new tech, and trade with others. Become an industrial superpower! But this is no easy task, you will be put to the test to keep your settlement alive. Captain of Industry is a base-building, automation and resource management game developed and published by MaFi Games. Released on May 31st 2022 has received 7,154 reviews of which 6,737 were positive and 417 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 4,404 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played games like Prison Architect.
9.1
6,737
417
4,404
players
6. Timberborn
Similarity 52% Humans are long gone. In a world struck by droughts and toxic waste, will your lumberpunk beavers do any better? A city-building game featuring ingenious animals, vertical architecture, water physics, and terraforming. Contains high amounts of wood. Timberborn is a city builder, voxel and colony sim game developed and published by Mechanistry. Released on September 15th 2021 has received 31,678 reviews of which 30,266 were positive and 1,412 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 3,884 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played games like Prison Architect.
9.4
30,266
1,412
3,884
players
7. Transport Fever 2
Similarity 58% The classic transport simulation genre has a new gold standard with Transport Fever 2. Discover a whole new world by navigating transport routes through land, water and air. May progress and prosperity find their way! Transport Fever 2 is a simulation, strategy and management game developed by Urban Games and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment. Released on December 11th 2019 has received 27,627 reviews of which 24,960 were positive and 2,667 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 3,465 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played games like Prison Architect.
8.9
24,960
2,667
3,465
players
8. Anno 1800
Similarity 55% Anno 1800™ – Lead the Industrial Revolution! Welcome to the dawn of the Industrial Age. The path you choose will define your world. Are you an innovator or an exploiter? A conqueror or a liberator? How the world remembers your name is up to you. Anno 1800 is a city builder, strategy and simulation game developed by Ubisoft Mainz and published by Ubisoft. Released on April 16th 2019 has received 25,091 reviews of which 20,368 were positive and 4,723 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. With 2,784 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played games like Prison Architect.
8.0
20,368
4,723
2,784
players
9. They Are Billions
Similarity 49% They Are Billions is a Steampunk strategy game set on a post-apocalyptic planet. Build and defend colonies to survive against the billions of the infected that seek to annihilate the few remaining living humans. Can humanity survive after the zombie apocalypse? They Are Billions is a base-building, colony sim and strategy game developed and published by Numantian Games. Released on June 18th 2019 has received 48,765 reviews of which 41,508 were positive and 7,257 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. With 2,751 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played games like Prison Architect.
8.4
41,508
7,257
2,751
players
10. Dyson Sphere Program
Similarity 62% Build the most efficient intergalactic factory in space simulation strategy game Dyson Sphere Program! Harness the power of stars, collect resources, plan and design production lines and develop your interstellar factory from a small space workshop to a galaxy-wide industrial empire. Dyson Sphere Program is a automation, space and base-building game developed by Youthcat Studio and published by Gamirror Games. Released on January 20th 2021 has received 85,088 reviews of which 83,095 were positive and 1,993 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 2,703 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played games like Prison Architect.
9.6
83,095
1,993
2,703
players
Best deals on games like Prison Architect on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of games like Prison Architect 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 Prison Architect.
1. Founders' Fortune
Similarity 84% A fantasy village builder focusing on creative building, colonist psychology and base defense. Handle resources, farming, production, tools, diplomacy, families, trading, defense, and research, as well as the wishes, expectations, thoughts, and equipment of every villager. Founders' Fortune is a colony sim, base-building and city builder game developed and published by Dionic Software. Released on December 18th 2020 has received 2,114 reviews of which 1,699 were positive and 415 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for games like Prison Architect.
7.7
1,699
415
-99%
18.99€
0.26€
2. Railroad Corporation
Similarity 52% Relive the pioneering spirit of the Golden Age of Steam by establishing your own railroad empire across 19th century North America. Bring settlements together, produce and trade goods and develop new technologies to stay ahead of the competition. Want more? RAILROAD CORPORATION 2 Out Now! Railroad Corporation is a strategy, trains and management game developed by Corbie Games and published by Iceberg Interactive. Released on November 18th 2019 has received 1,387 reviews of which 1,028 were positive and 359 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in games like Prison Architect.
7.1
1,028
359
-99%
35.10€
0.44€
3. Honey, I Joined a Cult
Similarity 70% It's time to start working towards that ultimate goal of enlightenment, faith and money…lots and lots of money! Become the ultimate tycoon - create, customise, and manage your own cult whilst listening to funky music. Welcome to Honey, I Joined a Cult! Honey, I Joined a Cult is a simulation, base-building and resource management game developed by Sole Survivor Games and published by Team17. Released on November 03rd 2022 has received 1,732 reviews of which 1,279 were positive and 453 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in games like Prison Architect.
7.1
1,279
453
-99%
21.99€
0.40€
4. Aven Colony
Similarity 57% Build a new home for humanity in Aven Colony. Discover Aven Prime - an alien planet of deserts, tundras, and wetlands light years from earth. Build your colonies into massive, sprawling cities whilst dealing with the challenges faced when settling on a new world. Aven Colony is a colony sim, city builder and strategy game developed by Mothership Entertainment LLC and published by Team17 Digital Ltd. Released on July 25th 2017 has received 2,638 reviews of which 1,921 were positive and 717 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for games like Prison Architect.
7.1
1,921
717
-99%
29.99€
0.47€
5. Lords and Villeins
Similarity 64% Build a prosperous settlement in a unique simulation of a feudal economy - each family runs their shop, owns their goods, and trades with other villagers in a free market. You will manage the land, build houses, organise events, set taxes, and balance supply and demand while engaging in diplomacy! Lords and Villeins is a colony sim, strategy and city builder game developed by Honestly Games and published by Fulqrum Publishing. Released on November 10th 2022 has received 872 reviews of which 633 were positive and 239 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for games like Prison Architect.
7.0
633
239
-99%
24.99€
0.38€
6. Naheulbeuk's Dungeon Master
Similarity 66% A dungeon in danger ! Build, manage, and defend your tower in the satirical heroic fantasy universe of Dungeon of Naheulbeuk. From a shaky establishment to an infamous lair! Naheulbeuk's Dungeon Master is a management, simulation and funny game developed by Artefacts Studio and published by Dear Villagers. Released on November 15th 2023 has received 1,408 reviews of which 1,006 were positive and 402 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for games like Prison Architect.
6.9
1,006
402
-99%
24.99€
0.46€
7. Autonauts
Similarity 49% In Autonauts you must build, create, and automate. Start by establishing a colony, crafting bots and teaching them via Scratch-style programming to build an ever evolving autonomous paradise of agriculture, industry and enlightenment. Autonauts is a simulation, programming and automation game developed by Denki and published by Curve Games. Released on October 17th 2019 has received 4,785 reviews of which 4,283 were positive and 502 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for games like Prison Architect.
8.6
4,283
502
-98%
19.99€
0.43€
8. Transport Fever
Similarity 50% Transport Fever is a railroad-focused tycoon game. Players start in 1850 and build up a thriving transport company. As an emerging transport tycoon, the player constructs stations, airports, harbors and makes money by connecting areas requiring transport services. Build up your own Empire! Transport Fever is a flight, city builder and sandbox game developed by Urban Games and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment. Released on November 08th 2016 has received 10,722 reviews of which 8,934 were positive and 1,788 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for games like Prison Architect.
8.1
8,934
1,788
-98%
29.99€
0.68€
9. Havendock
Similarity 59% Breathe easy and thrive in this cozy colony sim. Build a haven for castaways, manage resources, live your best life on the ocean. Lead your humble settlement into a high-tech society. Havendock is a singleplayer, strategy and city builder game developed by YYZ Studio and published by IndieArk and Pretty Soon. Released on April 22nd 2025 has received 1,399 reviews of which 1,191 were positive and 208 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for games like Prison Architect.
8.1
1,191
208
-98%
19.50€
0.42€
10. Nebuchadnezzar
Similarity 56% Create and customize cities in Nebuchadnezzar, a classic isometric city-builder where careful planning and define your rise as a ruler in ancient Mesopotamia. Nebuchadnezzar is a city builder, sandbox and building game developed by Nepos Games and published by Astra Logical. Released on February 17th 2021 has received 1,706 reviews of which 1,354 were positive and 352 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for games like Prison Architect.
7.6
1,354
352
-98%
19.99€
0.43€
Free games like Prison Architect on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play games like Prison Architect 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 Prison Architect.
1. OpenTTD
Similarity 59% OpenTTD is a business simulation game in which players earn money by transporting passengers and cargo via road, rail, water, and air. It is an open-source remake and expansion of the 1995 Chris Sawyer video game Transport Tycoon Deluxe. OpenTTD is a simulation, building and free to play game developed and published by OpenTTD. Released on April 01st 2021 has received 14,394 reviews of which 13,845 were positive and 549 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 445 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free games like Prison Architect.
9.4
13,845
549
445
players
2. Global City
Similarity 51% Become the mayor and build the city of your dreams! In this game, anything is possible. Whatever you can imagine in a city-building and development simulator, you can do. Start from the very beginning and unlock new possibilities for developing your city in Global City! Global City is a city builder, strategy and building game developed by Red Brix Wall and published by MY.GAMES. Released on November 30th 2021 has received 1,194 reviews of which 839 were positive and 355 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 145, this game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free games like Prison Architect.
6.8
839
355
145
players
3. The Powder Toy
Similarity 53% The Powder Toy is a classic physics sandbox game, which simulates air pressure and velocity, heat, gravity and a countless number of interactions between different substances The Powder Toy is a simulation, sandbox and 2d game developed and published by The Powder Toy Team. Released on June 14th 2024 has received 1,852 reviews of which 1,824 were positive and 28 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free games like Prison Architect.
9.4
1,824
28
89
players
4. My Free Zoo
Similarity 51% A small zoo needs your help! As the new manager, it's your job to boost business. Design the zoo of your dreams. From wolves and polar bears all the way to prehistoric beasts – the further you progress in the game, the more exotic the animals you'll be able to keep in your zoo. Play now and save the zoo! My Free Zoo is a free to play, casual and simulation game developed and published by upjers. Released on November 28th 2017 has received 662 reviews of which 415 were positive and 247 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free games like Prison Architect.
6.1
415
247
56
players
5. Kingdom: Classic
Similarity 59% Kingdom is a 2D sidescrolling strategy/resource management hybrid with a minimalist feel wrapped in a beautiful, modern pixel art aesthetic. Kingdom: Classic is a free to play, strategy and singleplayer game developed by Noio and Licorice and published by Raw Fury. Released on October 21st 2015 has received 22,088 reviews of which 20,023 were positive and 2,065 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free games like Prison Architect.
8.9
20,023
2,065
40
players
6. Simutrans
Similarity 59% Simutrans is a freeware and open-source transportation simulator. Your goal is to establish a successful transport company. Transport passengers, mail and goods by rail, road, ship, and even air. Interconnect districts, cities, public buildings, industries and tourist attractions. Simutrans is a simulation, free to play and trains game developed and published by The Simutrans Team. Released on May 24th 2016 has received 622 reviews of which 468 were positive and 154 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free games like Prison Architect.
7.2
468
154
31
players
7. Oxygen: First Breath
Similarity 73% This is a free version of Oxygen, featuring the first 50 game-days. Build your city around the Oxygen Center and ensure your people's survival in a post-apocalyptic future, threatened by crack explosions, deadly winds, droughts and frosts. Lead your people and keep the Oxygen Center running! Oxygen: First Breath is a strategy, base-building and city builder game developed by Turquoise Revival Games and published by GrabTheGames and UpgradePoint. Released on October 07th 2022 has received 1,594 reviews of which 1,432 were positive and 162 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free games like Prison Architect.
8.6
1,432
162
7
players
8. Occupy White Walls
Similarity 54% A game about building art galleries may sound boring until you realise that just about anything can be an art gallery... Add in cutting edge AI, extremely creative community, Unreal graphics, and did we mention it's free? Occupy White Walls is a building, sandbox and simulation game developed and published by KULTURA Ex Machina. Released on July 08th 2022 has received 1,275 reviews of which 1,180 were positive and 95 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free games like Prison Architect.
8.8
1,180
95
2
players
9. MachineCraft
Similarity 56% The main purpose of this game is showing and watching machines made out of blocks. Some of the game-modes allow you to battle or race against other players. (testing phase) You can create your original machine with ease by reassembling those machines that are distributed, or by using the automatic control block. MachineCraft is a free to play, building and sandbox game developed and published by G2CREW. Released on March 25th 2016 has received 889 reviews of which 686 were positive and 203 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free games like Prison Architect.
7.4
686
203
2
players
10. Drill Deal: Borehole (Alpha)
Similarity 50% 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. Drill Deal: Borehole (Alpha) is a simulation, management and adventure game developed by A2 Softworks and published by Manager Games S.A. and Red Dev Studio S.A.. Released on August 10th 2020 has received 376 reviews of which 327 were positive and 49 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free games like Prison Architect.
8.1
327
49
1
players