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
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 May 07th 2025.
1. 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 213,390 reviews of which 206,974 were positive and 6,416 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 14,459 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.6
206,974
6,416
14,459
players
2. 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 229,520 reviews of which 222,959 were positive and 6,561 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 13,238 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among automation games based on player count.
9.6
222,959
6,561
13,238
players
3. 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 84,756 reviews of which 82,768 were positive and 1,988 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 1,740 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among automation games based on player count.
9.6
82,768
1,988
1,740
players
4. AdVenture Capitalist
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 1,510 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played automation games.
8.7
51,815
7,167
1,510
players
5. 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 6,538 reviews of which 6,170 were positive and 368 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 814 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played automation games.
9.1
6,170
368
814
players
6. 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 1,273 reviews of which 1,161 were positive and 112 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 796 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played automation games.
8.6
1,161
112
796
players
7. 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 21,635 reviews of which 20,742 were positive and 893 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 725 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played automation games.
9.4
20,742
893
725
players
8. Hydroneer
Hydroneer is a mining and base building sandbox. Dig for gold and other resources to turn a profit and enhance your mining operation. Build a base of operations, forge weapons, go fishing, and dig deep! Hydroneer is a base-building, mining and sandbox game developed and published by Foulball Hangover. Released on May 08th 2020 has received 24,961 reviews of which 21,607 were positive and 3,354 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 590 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played automation games.
8.5
21,607
3,354
590
players
9. 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 3,609 reviews of which 3,178 were positive and 431 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 526 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played automation games.
8.5
3,178
431
526
players
10. 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 6,560 reviews of which 6,241 were positive and 319 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 514 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played automation games.
9.2
6,241
319
514
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 May 07th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted automation games.
1. 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 1,392 reviews of which 1,286 were positive and 106 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for automation category.
8.8
1,286
106
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
2. 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 2,676 reviews of which 2,421 were positive and 255 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in automation games.
8.7
2,421
255
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
3. 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 481 reviews of which 380 were positive and 101 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in automation games.
7.5
380
101
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
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 4,758 reviews of which 4,258 were positive and 500 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 89% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for automation games.
8.6
4,258
500
-89%
20.45€
2.25€
5. 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 860 reviews of which 619 were positive and 241 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 86% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for automation games.
6.9
619
241
-86%
15.21€
2.13€
6. Return from Core
Dig, explore, build, farm, automate, and meet charming Monster Girls in this sandbox RPG. Build your camp, plant crops, set up automated production lines and prepare for an unforgettable adventure! Return from Core is a crafting, survival and automation game developed by Tanxun Studio and published by 2P Games and Shochiku. Released on December 15th 2023 has received 1,008 reviews of which 748 were positive and 260 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 63% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for automation games.
7.1
748
260
-63%
16.46€
6.09€
7. Factory Town
Build, automate, and optimize a giant factory on 3D terrain using conveyor belts, trains, chutes, pipes, and airships. Sell your goods to nearby villages to expand their borders, increase happiness, and unlock even better technology! Factory Town is a automation, base-building and resource management game developed and published by Erik Asmussen. Released on November 17th 2021 has received 4,314 reviews of which 3,916 were positive and 398 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 60% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for automation games.
8.8
3,916
398
-60%
19.50€
7.80€
8. The Crust
Automate a lunar base as you become the savior of humanity exploring the future on the moon. Mine, craft, research, and trade resources with Earth in this gripping narrative basebuilder. The Crust is a early access, base-building and space game developed by VEOM Studio and published by Crytivo. Released on July 15th 2024 has received 2,535 reviews of which 1,956 were positive and 579 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 52% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for automation games.
7.5
1,956
579
-52%
29.15€
13.99€
9. Mini Settlers
Mini Settlers is a minimalistic city builder! Settle islands, construct cities, and design efficient logistic networks to fulfill your buildings' needs and fuel population growth to adventure into new worlds. Mini Settlers is a early access, base-building and automation game developed by Knight Owl Games and published by Goblinz Publishing and IndieArk. Released on August 08th 2024 has received 361 reviews of which 336 were positive and 25 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a 49% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for automation games.
8.6
336
25
-49%
12.86€
6.56€
10. Tribe: Primitive Builder
Chill out as you explore the beautiful, realistic island of exiles. Gather resources, craft tools, construct buildings and settlements. Manage tribe and automate your gameplay. Discover 4 lands, a storyline and save the inhabitants of the island. Tribe: Primitive Builder is a nature, simulation and automation game developed by Space Boat Studios and Baked Games and published by PlayWay S.A. and Polyslash. Released on October 12th 2023 has received 696 reviews of which 566 were positive and 130 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a 47% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for automation games.
7.7
566
130
-47%
19.92€
10.56€
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 May 07th 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 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 1,510 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free automation games on Steam.
8.7
51,815
7,167
1,510
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 1,273 reviews of which 1,161 were positive and 112 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 796, this automation game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free automation games on Steam.
8.6
1,161
112
796
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 3,609 reviews of which 3,178 were positive and 431 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 526, this automation game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free automation games on Steam.
8.5
3,178
431
526
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 6,560 reviews of which 6,241 were positive and 319 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 514 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free automation games on Steam.
9.2
6,241
319
514
players
5. 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 1,229 reviews of which 1,031 were positive and 198 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 326 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free automation games on Steam.
8.0
1,031
198
326
players
6. 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 606 reviews of which 456 were positive and 150 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 209 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free automation games on Steam.
7.2
456
150
209
players
7. 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. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free automation games on Steam.
7.4
605
169
87
players
8. 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 1,354 reviews of which 1,054 were positive and 300 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free automation games on Steam.
7.5
1,054
300
51
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 survival game developed by Loonworks Games and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on July 12th 2024 has received 497 reviews of which 458 were positive and 39 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
39