Free to Play Base-Building Games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play base-building games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on July 16th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Explore the complete list of the best free to play base-building games.
Lists & Categories
1. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition offers players a trial of this historical single & multiplayer RTS experience. *Note: To unlock all features of the game please see the “Base Game” product. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is a game developed and published by . Released on October 15th 2020 has received 48,342 reviews of which 40,941 were positive and 7,401 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played base-building game, thanks to its 3,369 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.3
40,941
7,401
3,369
players
2. Shop Titans
Shop Titans is the ultimate RPG shopkeeper simulation. Craft powerful equipment, stock your shop and sell to aspiring heroes… at a markup! Hire heroes and explore dungeons to gather valuable materials to craft with. There’s never a dull moment in the world of Shop Titans! Shop Titans is a game developed and published by . Released on May 05th 2020 has received 16,928 reviews of which 13,249 were positive and 3,679 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. While seeing 2,882 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among base-building games based on player count.
7.7
13,249
3,679
2,882
players
3. Fallout Shelter
Fallout Shelter puts you in control of a state-of-the-art underground Vault from Vault-Tec. Build the perfect Vault, keep your Dwellers happy, and protect them from the dangers of the Wasteland. Fallout Shelter is a game developed and published by . Released on March 29th 2017 has received 74,448 reviews of which 65,847 were positive and 8,601 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. While seeing 934 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among base-building games based on player count.
8.7
65,847
8,601
934
players
4. War Selection
War Selection is a compelling RTS game featuring base building, resource extraction and warfare. Evolve from a stone age tribe to a distinct industrial nation with unique game mechanics and battle for supremacy with dozens of players on a unique procedurally generated map. War Selection is a game developed and published by . Released on October 08th 2019 has received 21,854 reviews of which 18,745 were positive and 3,109 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. With 381 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played base-building games.
8.4
18,745
3,109
381
players
5. Pixel Starships
Pixel Starships is an FTL-style online sci-fi strategy builder and management game with a competitive PVP tournament. Set in the retro galaxy, your role is to explore space, meet aliens, and develop your ship, crew and AI. The game contains deep strategic and 4x elements. PSS is community-driven. Pixel Starships is a game developed and published by . Released on May 23rd 2023 has received 2,732 reviews of which 2,008 were positive and 724 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. With 115 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played base-building games.
7.1
2,008
724
115
players
6. Tribal Wars
Compete in hardcore PvP strategy in persistent game worlds where real time resource and troop management in coordination with other players is required to expand your kingdom from one village to hundreds as you conquer the map in this winner takes all medieval contest. Tribal Wars is a game developed and published by . Released on November 12th 2020 has received 738 reviews of which 531 were positive and 207 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played base-building games.
6.9
531
207
66
players
7. Kingdom: Classic
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 game developed and published by . 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 #7 spot among the most played base-building games.
8.9
20,023
2,065
55
players
8. XERA: Survival
Action-focused, open world survival shooter, PvPvE against fellow mercenaries and lethal XOIDS. Raid for resources alone or with team-mates, build and defend your base, stash your gear and survive against the odds. You are the hunters. You are the hunted. And the robots never sleep… XERA: Survival is a game developed and published by . Released on September 26th 2021 has received 7,774 reviews of which 5,185 were positive and 2,589 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played base-building games.
6.6
5,185
2,589
28
players
9. Warzone 2100
In the late 21st century, the world's civilizations are wiped out by a series of nuclear strikes, seemingly caused by a massive malfunction of the new NASDA (North American Strategic Defense Agency) strategic defense system. Warzone 2100 is a game developed and published by . Released on February 18th 2020 has received 1,500 reviews of which 1,355 were positive and 145 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played base-building games.
8.6
1,355
145
14
players
10. Space Commander: War and Trade
Fight, explore the stars, trade, and lead your fleet across the galaxySpace Commander: War and Trade is an ultimate single player space-sim featuring spectacular graphics, intuitive combat and deep mechanics. Space Commander: War and Trade is a game developed and published by . Released on November 04th 2020 has received 656 reviews of which 442 were positive and 214 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played base-building games.
6.5
442
214
6
players