Best 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 April 01st 2026. Looking for even more free titles? Explore the complete list of the best free to play base-building games on Steam.
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1. 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 idler, shop keeper and medieval game. 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. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played base-building game, thanks to its 3,071 peak concurrent players over the last day.
7.7
13,249
3,679
3,071
players
2. 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 sci-fi, space and strategy game. 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. While seeing 165 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among base-building games based on player count.
7.1
2,008
724
165
players
3. 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 base-building, open world survival craft and multiplayer game. 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 #3 spot among the most played base-building games.
6.6
5,185
2,589
67
players
4. 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 strategy, rts and base-building game. 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 #4 spot among the most played base-building games.
8.6
1,355
145
17
players
5. Retro Commander
Retro Commander is a post-apocalyptic real-time strategy wargame (RTS). Retro Commander is a strategy, rts and base-building game. Released on November 24th 2023 has received 315 reviews of which 241 were positive and 74 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played base-building games.
7.2
241
74
8
players
6. 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 action, rpg and base-building game. 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 #6 spot among the most played base-building games.
6.5
442
214
3
players
7. Vectorio Classic
The original, uncompleted version of Vectorio. Claim resources, unlock new buildings, and expand your defenses as you fight back against enemy forces in the classic edition of Vectorio! Play for free now. Vectorio Classic is a base-building, tower defense and survival game. Released on March 22nd 2021 has received 1,468 reviews of which 1,371 were positive and 97 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
1,371
97
8. 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 strategy, singleplayer and simulation game. 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 #8 spot among the most played base-building games.
8.9
20,023
2,065
9. 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 base-building, survival and post-apocalyptic game. 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. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played base-building games.
8.7
65,847
8,601
10. Oxygen: First Breath
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. 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 #10 spot among the most played base-building games.
8.6
1,432
162
More Base-Building & Related Games
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