Best Automation Games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated automation games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free automation games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
KartKraft™
No seatbelts, no suspension, no downforce. This is pure head to head racing at 90mph...
The Colonists
Build a new home for your team of robots as they begin a new life for themselves on a distant planet where they can fulfil their ultimate dream: to be human.
7 Billion Humans
Automate swarms of office workers to solve puzzles inside your very own parallel computer made of people. A thrilling followup to the award winning Human Resource Machine. Now with more humans!
Gunsmith
Build up your own arms manufacturing company. Find your factory, buy resources, produce a wide range of military equipment to sell to the highest bidder. Good or bad? That's up to you, who you do business with is your choice. Don't ask, don't tell, get paid. After all, war is about making money.
Human-powered spacecraft
A nostalgia-infused pixel clicker in a comedy wrapper.
Stationeers
Stationeers puts you in control of the construction and management of a space station to run by yourself or online with your friends. Complex atmospheric, electrical, manufacturing, agriculture, and gravitational systems require your thought and management at all times!
Opus Magnum
Opus Magnum is the latest open-ended puzzle game from Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem, Infinifactory, and SHENZHEN I/O. Design and build machines that assemble potions, poisons, and more using the alchemical engineer’s most advanced tool: the transmutation engine!
Card Creator
Card Creator is a powerful, deep and easy to use card creation software, the best tool for games designers (amateurs or pro) and fans of card and tabletop games. Card creation made easy, fast and fun!
SHENZHEN I/O
BUILD CIRCUITS. WRITE CODE. RTFM.
Blueprint Tycoon
Build your settlement, gather goods, ensure maximum efficiency and make a profit!
SimplePlanes
Build airplanes by snapping parts together, designing wing sections, and attaching engines. At any time, you can strap yourself into the cockpit and see how it flies with realistic physics. If you're not in the mood for building, over 100,000 airplanes are available to download for free.
FortressCraft Evolved!
FortressCraft Evolved is a unique blend of Voxel Landscapes, Tower Defense, Crafting, Logistics, Exploration, Combat and Assembly lines. Players begin by crash-landing on a strange alien world, left with only a small handful of starting machines.
Human Resource Machine
Program little office workers to solve puzzles. Be a good employee! The machines are coming... for your job. From the creators of World of Goo and Little Inferno.
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?
TIS-100
TIS-100 is an open-ended programming game by Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem and Infinifactory, in which you rewrite corrupted code segments to repair the TIS-100 and unlock its secrets. It’s the assembly language programming game you never asked for!
Infinifactory
Infinifactory is a sandbox puzzle game by Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem and Infiniminer. Build factories that assemble products for your alien overlords, and try not to die in the process.
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.
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.
AdVenture Capitalist
Welcome, eager young investor, to AdVenture Capitalist! Arguably the world's greatest Capitalism simulator!
Automation - The Car Company Tycoon Game
Make your dream cars a reality with Automation’s unparalleled car and engine design tools. Gain a competitive edge through smart engineering and business decisions to help you build an automotive empire. Will you become an industry leader, or just a footnote in automotive history?
SpaceChem
Zachtronics is back with an ambitious new design-based puzzle game. Take on the role of a Reactor Engineer working for SpaceChem, the leading chemical synthesizer for frontier colonies. Construct elaborate factories to transform raw materials into valuable chemical products!
Most played automation games on Steam
Take a look at the top automation games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 15th 2025.
1. Satisfactory
Satisfactory is a first-person open-world factory building game with a dash of exploration and combat. Play alone or with friends, explore an alien planet, create multi-story factories, and enter conveyor belt heaven! Satisfactory is a base-building, automation and open world game developed by Coffee Stain Studios and published by Coffee Stain Publishing. Released on September 10th 2024 has received 232,064 reviews of which 225,479 were positive and 6,585 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 automation game, thanks to its 28,710 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.6
225,479
6,585
28,710
players
2. Factorio
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 21,076 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among automation games based on player count.
9.6
208,770
6,439
21,076
players
3. Captain of Industry
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. While seeing 4,520 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among automation games based on player count.
9.1
6,737
417
4,520
players
4. Dyson Sphere Program
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 2,057 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played automation games.
9.6
83,095
1,993
2,057
players
5. shapez 2
Dive into a factory-building game with the focus on just that – building huge space factories! Construct sprawling multi-level factories and satisfying production lines without limits. Tackle increasingly complex automation challenges at your own pace – you won’t have to worry about enemies. shapez 2 is a management, strategy and automation game developed by tobspr Games and published by tobspr Games and Gamirror Games. Released on August 15th 2024 has received 11,061 reviews of which 10,856 were positive and 205 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 1,872 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played automation games.
9.5
10,856
205
1,872
players
6. AdVenture Capitalist
Welcome, eager young investor, to AdVenture Capitalist! Arguably the world's greatest Capitalism simulator! AdVenture Capitalist is a clicker, idler and management game developed and published by Hyper Hippo Games. Released on March 30th 2015 has received 59,166 reviews of which 51,968 were positive and 7,198 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 1,298 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played automation games.
8.6
51,968
7,198
1,298
players
7. FOUNDRY
Build a sophisticated robot factory optimized to perfection in an infinite voxel world. Mine and harvest resources, automate your production lines and manage complex systems while researching your way to become the galaxy’s leading robotics megacorp. FOUNDRY is a early access, automation and base-building game developed by Channel 3 Entertainment and published by Paradox Interactive. Released on May 02nd 2024 has received 2,783 reviews of which 2,197 were positive and 586 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. With 1,149 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played automation games.
7.6
2,197
586
1,149
players
8. 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. Trimps is a idler, strategy and free to play game developed and published by Greensatellite. Released on May 02nd 2022 has received 1,287 reviews of which 1,176 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. With 757 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played automation games.
8.7
1,176
111
757
players
9. Oddsparks: An Automation Adventure
Oddsparks is a blend of automation and real-time strategy for both the die-hard fans of the automation genre and the automation-curious. Explore a strange fantasy world, uncover the mysteries of the past, automate your workshops, and go on adventures with your odd & adorable Sparks! Oddsparks: An Automation Adventure is a building, singleplayer and co-op game developed by Massive Miniteam and published by HandyGames. Released on May 27th 2025 has received 1,591 reviews of which 1,389 were positive and 202 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 751 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played automation games.
8.3
1,389
202
751
players
10. Mindustry
An open-ended factory management game with RTS and tower defense elements. Mindustry is a base-building, resource management and tower defense game developed and published by AnukenDev. Released on September 26th 2019 has received 22,266 reviews of which 21,329 were positive and 937 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 582 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played automation games.
9.4
21,329
937
582
players
Best deals on automation games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of automation games available on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted automation games.
1. Nova Lands
Nova Lands is a factory building, exploration, and island management game. Explore, engage in combat, and automate your industry. The planet you’re on is full of mysteries, creatures, people, and things to do. Welcome to your new home amongst the stars! Nova Lands is a automation, base-building and sandbox game developed by BEHEMUTT and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on June 22nd 2023 has received 2,823 reviews of which 2,546 were positive and 277 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for automation category.
8.7
2,546
277
-99%
19.99€
0.37€
2. InfraSpace
Create an extrasolar efficiency utopia from scratch! In this sci-fi city builder you need to start mining operations, plan production, and lay down transportation routes to ensure a smooth supply chain. InfraSpace is a city builder, automation and transportation game developed and published by Dionic Software. Released on September 22nd 2023 has received 1,667 reviews of which 1,333 were positive and 334 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in automation games.
7.7
1,333
334
-99%
19.99€
0.39€
3. Last Call BBS
Boot up your Z5 Powerlance and dial into Last Call BBS, the last game from Zachtronics! The Barkeep’s loaded up his retro computer with a full set of puzzle games for you to download and play. No need to worry about copy protection, they’re all fully cracked and ready to enjoy! Last Call BBS is a puzzle, retro and automation game developed and published by Zachtronics. Released on August 03rd 2022 has received 1,409 reviews of which 1,301 were positive and 108 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 98% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in automation games.
8.8
1,301
108
-98%
19.50€
0.39€
4. 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. 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 #4 position in the best deals for automation games.
8.6
4,283
502
-98%
19.99€
0.43€
5. Autonauts vs Piratebots
Create, automate and defend an impenetrable base. Assemble and command a Bot army to combat an entire Piratebot invasion. Build, program and battle your way through five different zones. Autonauts vs Piratebots is a simulation, strategy and automation game developed by Denki and published by Curve Games. Released on July 28th 2022 has received 485 reviews of which 382 were positive and 103 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for automation games.
7.4
382
103
-98%
19.99€
0.43€
6. Automachef
Welcome to Automachef, a resource management puzzler where you design kitchens, program machinery and watch your genius come to life! It’s time to engineer tomorrow’s kitchen, today! Automachef is a simulation, indie and automation game developed by Rhombico Games and published by Team17 Digital Ltd. Released on July 23rd 2019 has received 863 reviews of which 622 were positive and 241 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for automation games.
6.9
622
241
-98%
14.99€
0.37€
7. Final Upgrade
Help humanity to spread throughout the cosmos by exploring new worlds, building space factories and setting up trade routes. Research advanced technologies to increase efficiency and unlock new paths of development. Fight off other artificial intelligences in your goal to reach the Final Upgrade! Final Upgrade is a automation, space and base-building game developed and published by TaosX. Released on December 06th 2022 has received 431 reviews of which 339 were positive and 92 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for automation games.
7.4
339
92
-97%
16.79€
0.51€
8. EXAPUNKS
The year is 1997. You used to be a hacker, but now you have the phage. You made a deal: one hack, one dose. There’s nothing left to lose… except your life. EXAPUNKS is a programming, puzzle and hacking game developed and published by Zachtronics. Released on October 22nd 2018 has received 1,766 reviews of which 1,676 were positive and 90 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 96% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for automation games.
9.0
1,676
90
-96%
19.50€
0.84€
9. shapez
shapez is an easy-going, minimalistic factory building game about the automation of shapes through extraction and satisfying production lines. Adapt to increasingly complex shapes and grow your factory across an infinitely expanding map. Your only limitation is your creativity! shapez is a automation, base-building and resource management game developed by Tobias Springer and published by tobspr Games and Doyoyo Games. Released on June 07th 2020 has received 13,681 reviews of which 13,165 were positive and 516 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for automation games.
9.4
13,165
516
-91%
9.99€
0.92€
10. The Colonists
Build a new home for your team of robots as they begin a new life for themselves on a distant planet where they can fulfil their ultimate dream: to be human. The Colonists is a city builder, colony sim and automation game developed by Codebyfire and published by Mode 7. Released on October 24th 2018 has received 1,161 reviews of which 995 were positive and 166 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for automation games.
8.1
995
166
-91%
22.99€
2.13€
Free automation games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play automation games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play automation games.
1. AdVenture Capitalist
Welcome, eager young investor, to AdVenture Capitalist! Arguably the world's greatest Capitalism simulator! AdVenture Capitalist is a clicker, idler and management game developed and published by Hyper Hippo Games. Released on March 30th 2015 has received 59,166 reviews of which 51,968 were positive and 7,198 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 1,298 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free automation games on Steam.
8.6
51,968
7,198
1,298
players
2. 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. Trimps is a idler, strategy and free to play game developed and published by Greensatellite. Released on May 02nd 2022 has received 1,287 reviews of which 1,176 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 757, this automation game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free automation games on Steam.
8.7
1,176
111
757
players
3. 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! The Perfect Tower II is a strategy, idler and tower defense game developed and published by Fire Sword Studios. Released on February 26th 2021 has received 3,639 reviews of which 3,201 were positive and 438 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 530, this automation game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free automation games on Steam.
8.5
3,201
438
530
players
4. Bitburner
Bitburner is a programming-based incremental game. Write scripts in JavaScript to automate gameplay, learn skills, play minigames, solve puzzles, and more in this cyberpunk text-based incremental RPG. Bitburner is a programming, idler and automation game developed by Fulcrum Games, Hydroflame and over 250 github contributors and published by Fulcrum Games. Released on December 10th 2021 has received 6,636 reviews of which 6,314 were positive and 322 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 471 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free automation games on Steam.
9.2
6,314
322
471
players
5. CivIdle
CivIdle is an idle/incremental game that allows you to lead your own civilization through thousands of years from ancient times to the modern era. Expand your territory, explore a vast tech tree, build various wonders, and trade with global players: empire must grow and numbers must go up! CivIdle is a early access, idler and base building game developed by FishPond and published by Fish Pond Studio. Released on February 16th 2024 has received 636 reviews of which 480 were positive and 156 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 220 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free automation games on Steam.
7.2
480
156
220
players
6. Incremental Adventures
Lead your heroes in their neverending adventures! A minimalistic Idle game where combat is fully automated. It's up to you to make the most of that automation to reach extremely high numbers! Incremental Adventures is a idler, automation and text-based game developed and published by Gniller. Released on August 11th 2020 has received 774 reviews of which 605 were positive and 169 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 104 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free automation games on Steam.
7.4
605
169
104
players
7. Industry Idle
Industry Idle is an idle game that combines factory building, resource management and market trading. Design & build your base, expand & scale up your productions, improve & optimize your economy. Plus all the incremental game goodies: offline earnings, prestige to unlock more powerful upgrades. Industry Idle is a automation, idler and resource management game developed by FishPond and published by Fish Pond Studio. Released on September 13th 2024 has received 1,360 reviews of which 1,058 were positive and 302 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free automation games on Steam.
7.5
1,058
302
46
players
8. Alpha League
Alpha League is a free-to-play, hero based Auto Chess. In Alpha League, simply pick and build your favorite hero in a Roguelike fashion with 12 different combat genres, and then battle the other 7 Bots or Players to be the winner. Alpha League is a auto battler, turn-based tactics and roguelite game developed and published by Beaveroid Entertainment. Released on February 22nd 2024 has received 1,235 reviews of which 1,032 were positive and 203 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free automation games on Steam.
8.0
1,032
203
1
players
9. Prospector: The First Contract
As the Prospector in this Prologue chapter, you will be taking on your first contract. Explore new planets, gather resources, build your fully automated base, and ship materials to distant colonies. Prospector: The First Contract is a open world survival craft, sandbox and pixel graphics game developed by Loonworks Games and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on July 12th 2024 has received 498 reviews of which 458 were positive and 40 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free automation games on Steam.
8.6
458
40