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
Crypto Miner Tycoon Simulator Starter Edition
Start in your bedroom in year 2010. Build rigs to mine Bitcoin, Ethereum and other crypto coins. Trade on the market to grow wealth. Expand your business into new offices. Hire skilled employees and assign tasks. Use cash from your mega farms to research new technologies.
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.
Idle Clans
Idle Clans is a multiplayer idle game that combines the classic MMORPG experience with simplified gameplay and less time commitment. Features include a player-driven economy, PvE, trading, quests, crafting and opportunities to play, socialize and collaborate with other players.
Magic Research
Magic Research is a text-based incremental game about Magic. You are the headmaster of a newly-created institution of Magic. Will you be able to lead your school to win the prestigious Tournament of Magic?
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.
Plan B: Terraform
Terraform a lifeless rock into a lush and habitable world. Build trucks, trains and sprawling factories on an enormous hexagonal planet. Grow its population to millions. Enjoy a dynamic simulation of atmosphere, temperature, water and forests.
The Last Starship
The Last Starship is a 2D space construction game where you design and upgrade your starship. Choose your path: pirate hunter, miner, engineer, spacebus driver, and more, whilst exploring vibrant star systems. Enjoy a growing sandbox world, with regular free updates. Your cosmic adventure awaits!
The Farmer Was Replaced
Program and optimize a drone to automate a farm and watch it do the work for you. Collect resources to unlock better technology and become the most efficient farmer in the world. Improve your problem solving and coding skills.
Juno: New Origins
Bring to life anything you can imagine from rockets and airplanes to cars and more. Automate them with a visual programming language. Explore 3D planets and make your own. Share your creations online. Complete contracts, conquer milestones, and unlock technology in the newly added Career Mode.
Territory: Farming and Fighting
From a small village of a dozen people to a small kingdom of thousands of people. Arrange for residents to work, gathering, fishing and hunting, farming and mining, processing and manufacturing. Trade, accumulate supplies, increase your strength, and fight evil forces and monsters.
Atrio: The Dark Wild
Keep your disposable android-body alive by automating everything. Automate farming, foraging, crafting and capturing - and even assimilate creatures into your production lines during your impossible mission to relight the world.
Antimatter Dimensions
Earn antimatter through dimensions! Gain Infinite antimatter to collapse the universe!
Outpath: First Journey
Outpath: First Journey is a prologue chapter of the main game, Outpath. An experimental clicker base building game. Craft, gather & manage resources, build your base and buy more islands to exploit and expand!
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!
Another Farm Roguelike
Another Farm Roguelike is a 2D farming & crafting game with rougelike elements where your job is to earn as much money as possible to pay the rent. Start from scratch and build the most profitable farm you can make as soon as possible. Work hard to be able to afford the rent.
Retro Gadgets
Retro Gadgets is a sandbox where you build, code, and customize gadgets inspired by old-school electronics.
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.
Fhtagn Simulator
Fhtagn Simulator is a Cthulhu Roulette Deckbuilder. Set up card slots on roulette to maximize card's value. Collect evil creatures, spells, items and environment to build your deck. Your ultimate mission is to sacrifice spirit collected by cards to unseal the ancient gods that have come to earth!
Regular Human Workshop
Regular Human Workshop is a 2D physics simulation sandbox. There are no predefined goals or objectives. Simply throw objects into the world and interact with them in various ways.
The Wandering Village
The Wandering Village is a city-building strategy game on the back of a giant, wandering creature. Build your settlement and form a symbiotic relationship with the colossus. Will you survive together in this hostile, yet beautiful post-apocalyptic world, contaminated by poisonous plants?
Recipe for Disaster
Recipe for Disaster is a management sim that captures the fast-paced, drama-filled environment of a professional kitchen and dining room. Build your dream restaurant, create recipes, design menus and manage your staff, all while contending with demanding customers and disastrous situations!
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!
Idle Research
Idle Research is an addictive, resource management, incremental game with both idle and active playstyles. Research and craft colorful Flasks and Tubes to earn as much Energy as possible! Big numbers guaranteed.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 April 30th 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 13,456 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.6
206,974
6,416
13,456
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 229,040 reviews of which 222,475 were positive and 6,565 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 12,693 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among automation games based on player count.
9.6
222,475
6,565
12,693
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 84,667 reviews of which 82,683 were positive and 1,984 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 1,702 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among automation games based on player count.
9.6
82,683
1,984
1,702
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 1,322 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
1,322
players
5. 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 919 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played automation games.
9.4
20,742
893
919
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 1,265 reviews of which 1,154 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 813 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played automation games.
8.6
1,154
111
813
players
7. 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 6,505 reviews of which 6,139 were positive and 366 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 778 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played automation games.
9.1
6,139
366
778
players
8. Rusty's Retirement
A relaxing idle-farming simulator that sits at the bottom of your screen while you do other things. Rusty's Retirement is a farming sim, idler and automation game developed and published by Mister Morris Games. Released on April 26th 2024 has received 12,482 reviews of which 12,106 were positive and 376 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 591 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played automation games.
9.4
12,106
376
591
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 3,598 reviews of which 3,169 were positive and 429 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 543 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played automation games.
8.5
3,169
429
543
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 508 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
508
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 April 30th 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 1,384 reviews of which 1,280 were positive and 104 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
1,280
104
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
2. 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 480 reviews of which 380 were positive and 100 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in automation games.
7.5
380
100
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
3. 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. Thanks to its incredible 90% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in automation games.
8.6
4,258
500
-90%
20.60€
2.06€
4. 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 13,549 reviews of which 13,038 were positive and 511 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 88% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for automation games.
9.4
13,038
511
-88%
9.83€
1.18€
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 993 reviews of which 733 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
733
260
-63%
16.46€
6.09€
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. Currently offered at a significant 60% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for automation games.
9.4
20,742
893
-60%
9.99€
3.99€
8. SHENZHEN I/O
BUILD CIRCUITS. WRITE CODE. RTFM. SHENZHEN I/O is a programming, automation and puzzle game developed and published by Zachtronics. Released on November 17th 2016 has received 4,137 reviews of which 3,934 were positive and 203 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 58% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for automation games.
9.1
3,934
203
-58%
14.69€
6.17€
9. 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 2,521 reviews of which 1,944 were positive and 577 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 52% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for automation games.
7.5
1,944
577
-52%
29.15€
13.99€
10. 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. Astro Colony is a base-building, automation and early access game developed and published by Terad Games. Released on November 07th 2022 has received 2,223 reviews of which 1,828 were positive and 395 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a 50% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for automation games.
7.9
1,828
395
-50%
19.50€
9.75€
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 April 30th 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 1,322 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
1,322
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 1,265 reviews of which 1,154 were positive and 111 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 813, this automation game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free automation games on Steam.
8.6
1,154
111
813
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 3,598 reviews of which 3,169 were positive and 429 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 543, this automation game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free automation games on Steam.
8.5
3,169
429
543
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 508 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
508
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 257 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
257
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 231 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
231
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. Attracting a solid base of 109 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free automation games on Steam.
7.4
605
169
109
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 496 reviews of which 457 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
457
39
1
players