Best Economy 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 economy games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free economy games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Gas Station Simulator
Buy an abandoned gas station and restore it to its full glory. Renovate, upgrade and expand upon the offered services to keep up with your clients demands.
No Umbrellas Allowed
Reveal the true value of the items coming into the shop. Each item has their own history. Dig deep to see what is behind them and become an expert appraiser. Begin a tug of war with customers. With their own expectations and knowledge, they never give up on money.
Cookie Clicker
An idle game about making cookies! Originally released in 2013 on the web, and actively developed since then. This is the official version for Steam.
Reactor Tech²
Become the main power engineer of the world - the builder of the most powerful power plant that feeds the whole world! You have to build your own power plant, research new technologies and make the most successful power company in 100 gaming years.
Shop Tycoon: Prepare your wallet
Shop Tycoon is a store simulator. Create a supermarket, sex shop, games store or a store with good Polish vodka. Place your logo, hire employees, expand your car fleet, build offices and parking lots, create a chain of stores and more!
City Game Studio: Your Game Dev Adventure Begins
Manage a game studio from the dawn of the gaming industry in 1976. Your journey starts with small indie titles and grows into a gaming empire. Develop, design, and conquer the industry. From humble beginnings to gaming legend – it’s your story, your studio, your legacy!
Hell Architect
Hell Architect is a game about building and managing your own hell. You take on a role of a hell manager and are tasked with developing the underworld in a way that would make Lucifer himself fall off his chair.
Life is Hard
Life is Hard is a godsim town simulator game developed by a two-man-team. Your main aim here is to manage your town. Expand your domain, prevent famine, make war, trade with others, attract new people. Make history!
Dust to the End
Nuclear war ended human civilization, but it could never uproot the evil within our hearts. Fight, trade, negotiate, raid– do whatever it takes to survive in the wasteland. You will have to be as clever as ruthless to thrive in a broken world, torn by war, cruelty, hunger and slavery.
Lawn Mowing Simulator
Experience the beauty and detail of mowing the Great British countryside in Lawn Mowing Simulator, the only simulator that allows you to ride an authentic and expansive roster of real-world licensed lawn mowers from prestigious manufacturers; Toro, SCAG and STIGA as you manage your business.
City of Gangsters
In this management tycoon game, you’ll start a criminal operation from nothing and grow it into a well-oiled money machine! Build speakeasies and illegal distilleries. Manage production chains and resource distribution. Leverage favors, chase down debtors, and bribe the police to look the other way.
Cooking Simulator VR
Become the ultimate chef in VR! Take control of a highly polished, realistic kitchen equipped with all kinds of utensils and stands. Unlock and master over 80 recipes or use dozens of lifelike ingredients to cook everything you like. A simulator spiced up with a dash of real-life physics!
Idol Manager
Idol Manager is a business sim about conquering the entertainment industry using any means you deem necessary.
Vertical Slice: A Game Dev Story
From nobody to famous game producer in 3 years: that’s the journey you will live! Experience the trials and tribulations of game development in this life simulation game: live through the process of founding a small team and learning how to work together to develop a successful game.
Airline Manager
Create and manage your own airline. Create both passenger and cargo routes all over the world while you upgrade and expand your fleet of airplanes and airports. Airline Manager is among the most realistic of its genre - so prove yourself and beat your friends and other real life managers.
Vedelem: The Golden Horde
Védelem: The Golden Horde is a medieval Real Time Strategy and Survival game set in the 13th century. Build, expand and defend your lands against the deadliest Mongolian invasion ever witnessed. They will seek to destroy your walls and salt your earth. Will you survive the Golden Horde?
Spellcaster University
Develop a prestigious university of mages. Build rooms, train your students, fight orcs, slay the bureaucrats, manage your budget... a director's life is not a quiet one.
Going Medieval
Build and manage your own castle settlement in a land reclaimed by wilderness. With detailed management, survival strategy, and a moddable sandbox world, Going Medieval challenges you to build the mightiest colony this side of the apocalypse.
The Advisor - Episode 1: Royal Pain
The Advisor Series is a player-driven narrative where your choices & decisions, both in the game, and out of the game, determine how future episodes unfold. Play the role of villain protagonist Magnus the Magician, as he wreaks havoc across the land, one well-placed fireball at a time!
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries
The year is 3015. The battlefields are dominated by war machines known as BattleMechs. Level entire cities and decimate the enemy in your BattleMech. Follow a quest for glory and revenge. Manage an expanding mercenary company. Fight alongside your friends with a four-player PvE co-op.
Imagine Earth
Build your own global colonies on distant worlds. Manage energy and resource supplies and produce goods for space trade. Form economic and diplomatic alliances or take over competing corporations. Conduct research to protect your colonists from disasters and avoid a climate crisis.Most played economy games on Steam
Take a look at the top economy games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of May 01st 2025.
1. Victoria 3
Paradox Development Studio invites you to build your ideal society in the tumult of the exciting and transformative 19th century. Balance the competing interests in your society and earn your place in the sun in Victoria 3, one of the most anticipated games in Paradox’s history. Victoria 3 is a grand strategy, economy and historical game developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive. Released on October 25th 2022 has received 51,921 reviews of which 34,526 were positive and 17,395 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played economy game, thanks to its 4,428 peak concurrent players over the last day.
6.6
34,526
17,395
4,428
players
2. Supermarket Simulator
Run your own supermarket. Stock shelves, set prices as you'd like, take payments, hire staff, expand and design your store. Online orders & delivery, shoplifters, security, local market are upcoming. Supermarket Simulator is a simulation, management and economy game developed and published by Nokta Games. Released on February 20th 2024 has received 67,137 reviews of which 63,025 were positive and 4,112 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. While seeing 2,936 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among economy games based on player count.
9.2
63,025
4,112
2,936
players
3. X4: Foundations
Thrilling space battles meet deep strategy. X4 invites you to explore, fight, trade, and build an empire in a dynamic, fully simulated space sandbox, where every decision shapes your journey. Now featuring the 2025 flight model overhaul. X4: Foundations is a space sim, simulation and sandbox game developed and published by Egosoft. Released on November 30th 2018 has received 23,455 reviews of which 18,628 were positive and 4,827 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. While seeing 2,801 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among economy games based on player count.
7.8
18,628
4,827
2,801
players
4. Anno 1800
Anno 1800™ – Lead the Industrial Revolution! Welcome to the dawn of the Industrial Age. The path you choose will define your world. Are you an innovator or an exploiter? A conqueror or a liberator? How the world remembers your name is up to you. Anno 1800 is a city builder, strategy and simulation game developed by Ubisoft Mainz and published by Ubisoft. Released on April 16th 2019 has received 24,406 reviews of which 19,801 were positive and 4,605 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. With 2,799 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played economy games.
8.0
19,801
4,605
2,799
players
5. TCG Card Shop Simulator
Open your own local game store. Stock shelves with the latest booster packs, or crack them and collect the cards for yourself. Set your own prices, hire staff, host events, and expand your card shop. TCG Card Shop Simulator is a simulation, management and economy game developed and published by OPNeon Games. Released on September 15th 2024 has received 38,866 reviews of which 37,810 were positive and 1,056 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 1,716 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played economy games.
9.5
37,810
1,056
1,716
players
6. Eco
Build a civilization of real people, working together to advance society and stop a meteor, all without destroying the ecosystem in the process. Eco is a early access, simulation and building game developed and published by Strange Loop Games. Released on February 06th 2018 has received 13,140 reviews of which 10,687 were positive and 2,453 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. With 796 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played economy games.
8.0
10,687
2,453
796
players
7. Tropico 6
El Presidente is back! Prove yourself once again as a feared dictator or peace-loving statesman on the island state of Tropico and shape the fate of your very own banana republic through four distinctive eras. Tropico 6 is a city builder, strategy and simulation game developed by Limbic Entertainment and Realmforge Studios and published by Kalypso Media. Released on March 29th 2019 has received 27,049 reviews of which 23,648 were positive and 3,401 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 682 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played economy games.
8.6
23,648
3,401
682
players
8. Big Ambitions
Big Ambitions is a revolutionary role-playing business sim. Go from nothing to the biggest entrepreneur in New York by opening small businesses or slowly building huge corporations any way you like. Big Ambitions is a early access, management and economy game developed and published by Hovgaard Games. Released on March 10th 2023 has received 10,526 reviews of which 9,788 were positive and 738 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 477 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played economy games.
9.0
9,788
738
477
players
9. OpenTTD
OpenTTD is a business simulation game in which players earn money by transporting passengers and cargo via road, rail, water, and air. It is an open-source remake and expansion of the 1995 Chris Sawyer video game Transport Tycoon Deluxe. OpenTTD is a simulation, building and free to play game developed and published by OpenTTD. Released on April 01st 2021 has received 14,214 reviews of which 13,670 were positive and 544 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 457 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played economy games.
9.4
13,670
544
457
players
10. Gas Station Simulator
Buy an abandoned gas station and restore it to its full glory. Renovate, upgrade and expand upon the offered services to keep up with your clients demands. Gas Station Simulator is a simulation, economy and building game developed by DRAGO entertainment and published by DRAGO entertainment and HeartBeat Games. Released on September 15th 2021 has received 24,721 reviews of which 21,745 were positive and 2,976 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 363 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played economy games.
8.6
21,745
2,976
363
players
Best deals on economy games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of economy games available on Steam right now, updated on May 01st 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted economy games.
1. Rise of Industry
Put your entrepreneurial skills to the test in the first title in the ROI series as you create & optimise intricate production lines. As an early 20th-Century industrialist, grow your empire & adapt to an ever-changing business landscape with unexpected events that could lead to boom…or bust. Rise of Industry is a management, strategy and economy game developed by Dapper Penguin Studios and published by Kasedo Games. Released on May 02nd 2019 has received 4,091 reviews of which 2,996 were positive and 1,095 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for economy category.
7.1
2,996
1,095
-95%
31.60€
1.58€
2. TransOcean: The Shipping Company
TransOcean – The Shipping Company is your ticket to the world of gigantic ships and transnational transport empires. Build a mighty fleet of modern merchant ships and conquer the seven seas. TransOcean: The Shipping Company is a simulation, strategy and management game developed by Deck13 Hamburg and published by astragon Entertainment. Released on September 23rd 2014 has received 1,267 reviews of which 937 were positive and 330 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in economy games.
7.1
937
330
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
3. Railway Empire
In Railway Empire, you will create an elaborate and wide-ranging rail network, purchase over 40 different trains modelled in extraordinary detail, and buy or build railway stations, maintenance buildings, factories and tourist attractions to keep your travel network ahead of the competition. Railway Empire is a strategy, simulation and management game developed by Gaming Minds Studios and published by Kalypso Media. Released on January 26th 2018 has received 9,386 reviews of which 7,770 were positive and 1,616 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 93% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in economy games.
8.1
7,770
1,616
-93%
31.14€
2.18€
4. Mech Mechanic Simulator
Become a Mech Mechanic to deconstruct, rebuild, paint and fix gigantic iron machines. You live in an age of enormous machines and you better get ready to get your hands dirty! Mech Mechanic Simulator is a mechs, crafting and sandbox game developed by Polyslash and published by Valkyrie Initiative. Released on March 25th 2021 has received 625 reviews of which 401 were positive and 224 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for economy games.
6.2
401
224
-93%
20.57€
1.44€
5. The Invisible Hand
Want to get rich, quick? Welcome to FERIOS, where you’ll be empowered to pursue wealth and success as a mid-level stockbroker! Your wildest dreams of wealth can come true… at the cost of everything else. The Invisible Hand is a capitalism, trading and economy game developed by Power Struggle Games and published by Fellow Traveller. Released on May 07th 2021 has received 628 reviews of which 512 were positive and 116 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for economy games.
7.7
512
116
-92%
12.50€
1.00€
6. The Guild Gold Edition
It’s the year 1400- the late Middle Ages. Europe sees the dawn of the golden age of the new departures and the free spirit. Under the rule of the bourgeoisie and businessmen, more and more towns are emerging from the clutches of the aristocracy and are achieving independence, power and wealth. The Guild Gold Edition is a strategy, simulation and medieval game developed by 4HEAD Studios and published by THQ Nordic. Released on September 09th 2014 has received 541 reviews of which 400 were positive and 141 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for economy games.
7.0
400
141
-90%
10.00€
1.00€
7. Sid Meier's Railroads!
Sid Meier's Railroads! marks the return of the watershed title in simulation/strategy gaming that launched the popular "tycoon" genre, and inspired a new generation of games. Sid Meier's Railroads! Sid Meier's Railroads! is a trains, strategy and management game developed by Firaxis Games and published by Feral interactive (Mac) and 2K. Released on May 04th 2007 has received 3,234 reviews of which 2,283 were positive and 951 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for economy games.
6.9
2,283
951
-90%
10.00€
1.00€
8. Frozenheim
Lead your Viking clan onto unknown shores and carve out a future for your people in the fjords of Frozenheim. Gather resources, expand, and watch your settlement grow to a bustling town that will withstand the harshness of winter and wrath of other clans. Frozenheim is a economy, resource management and co-op game developed by Paranoid Interactive and published by Untold Tales, Hyperstrange and Gamersky Games. Released on June 16th 2022 has received 3,693 reviews of which 2,589 were positive and 1,104 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 89% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for economy games.
6.8
2,589
1,104
-89%
16.55€
1.82€
9. Before We Leave
Before We Leave is a city building game set in a cozy corner of the universe. Nurture your Peeps and their surroundings while rebuilding and rediscovering civilisation. Settle new lands and planets while avoiding hungry Space Whales. Before We Leave is a city builder, casual and economy game developed by Balancing Monkey Games and published by Team17. Released on May 13th 2021 has received 1,621 reviews of which 1,270 were positive and 351 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 88% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for economy games.
7.5
1,270
351
-88%
17.33€
2.08€
10. Cafe Owner Simulator
Open your dream restaurant at FPP. Create a unique exterior and interior, hire the best workers and chefs, create a place where people will love to eat, spend time and spend their money. Simulation of the restaurant business. Cafe Owner Simulator is a design & illustration, economy and simulation game developed by Second Reality and published by RockGame S.A.. Released on December 05th 2022 has received 934 reviews of which 616 were positive and 318 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 86% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for economy games.
6.4
616
318
-86%
18.29€
2.56€
Free economy games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play economy games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on May 01st 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play economy games.
1. OpenTTD
OpenTTD is a business simulation game in which players earn money by transporting passengers and cargo via road, rail, water, and air. It is an open-source remake and expansion of the 1995 Chris Sawyer video game Transport Tycoon Deluxe. OpenTTD is a simulation, building and free to play game developed and published by OpenTTD. Released on April 01st 2021 has received 14,214 reviews of which 13,670 were positive and 544 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 457 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free economy games on Steam.
9.4
13,670
544
457
players
2. Sim Companies
Become a Business Tycoon. Build your own company from the ground up. Do business in a virtual economy with players all around the world! Gain valuable business skills for free. An advanced, proprietary, Economy simulation model is used to deliver the best gaming experience. Sim Companies is a economy, capitalism and simulation game developed and published by Sim Companies s.r.o.. Released on August 31st 2023 has received 837 reviews of which 668 were positive and 169 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 152, this economy game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free economy games on Steam.
7.6
668
169
152
players
3. Magic Archery
Train a commoner to become the greatest archer in this short incremental game! Increase your stats, gather wealth from quests, buy upgrades, and infuse your arrows with magic. Magic Archery is a clicker, idler and fantasy game developed and published by Barribob. Released on October 04th 2024 has received 5,412 reviews of which 5,349 were positive and 63 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free economy games on Steam.
9.5
5,349
63
34
players
4. Prosperous Universe
In Prosperous Universe start your galactic empire by trading on the real-time market exchange with other real players. Build your 1st base from humble beginnings & watch as your business flourishes with complex supply chain strategies. Economics, politics & realism fuel this immersive business MMO. Prosperous Universe is a early access, economy and resource management game developed and published by simulogics. Released on April 20th 2022 has received 886 reviews of which 666 were positive and 220 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free economy games on Steam.
7.2
666
220
21
players
5. 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. Crypto Miner Tycoon Simulator Starter Edition is a simulation, free to play and management game developed by Bigosaur and published by CreativeForge Games and G-DEVS.com. Released on April 24th 2023 has received 1,282 reviews of which 1,137 were positive and 145 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free economy games on Steam.
8.4
1,137
145
5
players
6. Lemonade Apocalypse
Lead the world to apocalyse with lemonades! Price affects demand, but take into account the cost of each lemonade when selling. Upgrades reduce cost and increase demand. Invest in a factory, and eventually control the politics of the world to increase climate's temperature and beverage consumption. Lemonade Apocalypse is a clicker, capitalism and simulation game developed and published by Juggler Interactive. Released on April 05th 2024 has received 973 reviews of which 923 were positive and 50 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free economy games on Steam.
8.9
923
50
1
players
7. Bakery Magnate: Beginning
Bakery Magnate is a game with a small plot in which you have to solve economic problems to keep the store afloat. At the same time, you intend to provide for your son, who constantly gets into trouble. Bakery Magnate: Beginning is a life sim, simulation and time management game developed and published by GidAzGames. Released on August 23rd 2020 has received 1,466 reviews of which 1,268 were positive and 198 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free economy games on Steam.
8.2
1,268
198
8. Auto Sale Life: Fresh Start
This is a free prologue version. Build an automotive empire. Buy, sell, and customize cars to create your own brands and showrooms. Become a shrewd entrepreneur in this immersive car trading and customization game. Auto Sale Life: Fresh Start is a immersive sim, driving and economy game developed by OTTO Games and published by GrabTheGames. Released on April 05th 2024 has received 380 reviews of which 259 were positive and 121 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free economy games on Steam.
6.5
259
121