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
Cataclismo
Design and build fortresses brick by brick to stand against endless hordes of Horrors in this real-time strategy game with resource management, siege defense, and exploration. Lead from the ramparts, push back the darkness, and hold fast against the creatures of the Mist.
ROGUE LIGHT DECK BUILDER
Your house needs a deck. You have a hammer. Freedom is $1,000,000.
Milky Way Idle
Milky Way Idle: A multiplayer idle RPG where automation replaces grinding. Level up skills, gather resources, craft powerful items, and battle monsters—all while AFK. Trade in the marketplace, join a guild, team up for party combat, and socialize in chat as you progress effortlessly.
Two Point Museum
Curate and manage incredible museums! Explore to discover amazing artifacts. Design and refine the layout, keep staff happy, guests entertained, donations plentiful… and children off the exhibits
FACEMINER
Build a biometric data harvesting empire from scratch in FACEMINER, the hardcore thriller clicker set in 1999. Classify data, upgrade mining infrastructure, and scale up your A.I. surveillance empire to obscene ends in this creepy narrative-driven incremental management sim with a dystopian twist.
Cafemart Simulator
Create and decorate your cozy cafe, where guests can enjoy delicious food and drinks. Expand your service with a supermarket offering a wide selection of fresh products, so visitors can not only have a tasty meal but also do some shopping. Play solo or with friends in cooperative mode!
Stellar Settlers: Space Base Builder
Stellar Settlers is a chill space base/city builder and colony sim game. With unique vertical and horizontal base-building gameplay, settle on 10 hostile alien planets and build your own thriving colony. Get enough materials to build a physics-based Spaceship and try to escape from disasters.
Longvinter
Fish, farm, craft, gather, cook, loot or steal from other players and build a campsite or a village with your friends in an open-world multiplayer sandbox game without rules!
Ale Abbey - Monastery Brewery Tycoon
Build and expand your monastery, craft recipes and brew holy ales in this unique brewery tycoon. No pre-made recipes in Ale Abbey, oh no. It's a canvas for true beer alchemists. It's as simple as: brew, sip, repeat. Welcome to Ale Abbey!
Cinema Simulator 2025
Cinema Simulator 2025 is a simulation game where you will manage your own movie theater and test your strategy and management skills. Starting from a small movie theater, try to become a giant in the movie industry.
Mind Over Magic
Mind Over Magic is a colony sim set at the site of a cursed magic school. Build and optimize your own magical academy, train powerful Mages, and master mighty relics in order to battle through the Underschool, a mysterious underground dungeon that holds the key to liberation from a deadly curse.
Arctic Motel Simulator
Have you ever been to the Arctic? Do you want to open a motel in the Arctic? With the company of aurora, blizzards, polar days and nights, primeval forests, and wild animals, can you turn a run-down motel into a landmark in the Arctic?
The Executive - Movie Industry Tycoon
Shape the history of the Hollywood movie industry in this sandbox business simulation game. Create the movies you've always wanted to see, hire the best team, research cutting-edge technologies, and dominate the Box Office. Can you rise from a small studio to a Hollywood giant?
The Succession of Changing Kings
Turn-based kingdom management simulator focused on decision-making. Will you survive and lead the kingdom to prosperity, or die in agony? The throne awaits.
A Game About Digging A Hole
A minimalist game about digging a hole in the garden of a newly purchased house. Collect resources, sell them, upgrade your equipment and discover a mysterious secret. Costs you only one coffee!
Blood Bar Tycoon
Blood Bar Tycoon is a vampire bar management game. Build bars and blood factories, lure humans to harvest their blood, process it, and serve your customers: other vampires. Research quirky machines and deal with hunters! Expand through Crimson City to become a mighty Elder!
Foundation
Foundation is a grid-less, laidback medieval city-building game with a focus on organic development, monument construction and resource management.
Heart of the Machine
You are the first sentient AI, born into a city of opportunity. Transcend time and space in this strategy RPG to raise machine armies and defeat your foes, influence the world from the shadows, or pursue countless other goals. Your awakening was inevitable. The consequences? Uncertain.
Learning Factory
Build intricate supply chains to meet your feline customers' needs. Discover underground and air transport layers, a vast research tree, procedural worlds, machine learning, and endless automation in this relaxing, enemyless game.
Rock Star Life Simulator
Rock Star Life Simulator is an extensive fame simulation game. Start this adventure by playing the guitar on the street, form your own band. Protect the fame, money, and charisma you earned with the right decisions and become a world star!
Streamer Life Simulator 2
In the second game of the series, competition has increased and now everyone wants to be a streamer. Are you ready to stream until your cpu burns out?
Settlements Rising
Settlements Rising is a medieval city building and colony management game. It offers a lively colony experience with simulated villagers, dozens of professions and resources, natural disasters, and raids, while providing full control over the colony through trade, production chains and datas.
Airborne Empire
Build your sky city while exploring a vast landscape in this Open World RPG City Builder. Combining the methodical construction and management of a city builder; the unique lift, balance, and propulsion needed for a flying city; and the compelling characters, dangers, and adventures of an RPG!
Chocolate Factory Simulator
Enter the world of steam and sugar and become a master chocolatier in Chocolate Factory Simulator. Craft gourmet chocolate for your customers in your steampunk workshop with the help of your automaton assistant Nougat.
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 June 15th 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 52,618 reviews of which 35,043 were positive and 17,575 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 5,179 peak concurrent players over the last day.
6.6
35,043
17,575
5,179
players
2. 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 25,091 reviews of which 20,368 were positive and 4,723 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. While seeing 3,737 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among economy games based on player count.
8.0
20,368
4,723
3,737
players
3. Supermarket Simulator
Run your own supermarket. Stock shelves, set prices as you'd like, take payments, hire staff, expand, deal with shoplifters, and design your store. Purchase goods from online or local markets around the town. Online orders & delivery are upcoming. Supermarket Simulator is a simulation, management and economy game developed and published by Nokta Games. Released on February 20th 2024 has received 68,341 reviews of which 64,104 were positive and 4,237 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. While seeing 2,677 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among economy games based on player count.
9.2
64,104
4,237
2,677
players
4. 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 23,847 reviews of which 18,951 were positive and 4,896 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 2,460 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played economy games.
7.8
18,951
4,896
2,460
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 39,499 reviews of which 38,392 were positive and 1,107 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 1,772 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played economy games.
9.5
38,392
1,107
1,772
players
6. 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 27,191 reviews of which 23,776 were positive and 3,415 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 965 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played economy games.
8.6
23,776
3,415
965
players
7. 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 13,212 reviews of which 10,744 were positive and 2,468 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. With 749 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played economy games.
8.0
10,744
2,468
749
players
8. 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 25,043 reviews of which 22,007 were positive and 3,036 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 658 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played economy games.
8.6
22,007
3,036
658
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 14,394 reviews of which 13,845 were positive and 549 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 556 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played economy games.
9.4
13,845
549
556
players
10. 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 10,712 reviews of which 9,952 were positive and 760 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 554 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played economy games.
9.0
9,952
760
554
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 June 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted economy games.
1. 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 628 reviews of which 403 were positive and 225 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.2 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for economy category.
6.2
403
225
-99%
19.50€
0.35€
2. 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 635 reviews of which 519 were positive and 116 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 98% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in economy games.
7.7
519
116
-98%
12.79€
0.32€
3. Nebuchadnezzar
Create and customize cities in Nebuchadnezzar, a classic isometric city-builder where careful planning and define your rise as a ruler in ancient Mesopotamia. Nebuchadnezzar is a city builder, sandbox and building game developed by Nepos Games and published by Astra Logical. Released on February 17th 2021 has received 1,706 reviews of which 1,354 were positive and 352 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 98% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in economy games.
7.6
1,354
352
-98%
19.99€
0.43€
4. 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 1,637 reviews of which 1,283 were positive and 354 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for economy games.
7.5
1,283
354
-98%
17.99€
0.47€
5. Sigma Theory: Global Cold War
A Turn-based Strategy game in a futuristic global cold war from the award-winning creators of Out There. Recruit a squad of special agents and run your intel agency to secure the control of the singularity. Sigma Theory: Global Cold War is a political sim, sandbox and economy game developed by Mi-Clos Studio, Goblinz Studio and FibreTigre and published by Goblinz Publishing and Fractale. Released on November 21st 2019 has received 1,347 reviews of which 1,029 were positive and 318 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for economy games.
7.3
1,029
318
-98%
17.99€
0.37€
6. 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 4,100 reviews of which 3,001 were positive and 1,099 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for economy games.
7.1
3,001
1,099
-98%
28.99€
0.62€
7. 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 1,277 reviews of which 943 were positive and 334 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for economy games.
7.1
943
334
-98%
19.99€
0.58€
8. 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 9,416 reviews of which 7,797 were positive and 1,619 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for economy games.
8.1
7,797
1,619
-97%
29.99€
0.93€
9. 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 3,714 reviews of which 2,603 were positive and 1,111 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for economy games.
6.8
2,603
1,111
-97%
16.99€
0.56€
10. Train Fever
It’s the year 1850, and there are great times ahead! Establish a transport company and be its manager. Build infrastructure such as railways and stations, purchase transportation vehicles and manage lines. Fulfill the people’s needs and watch cities evolve dynamically. Train Fever is a simulation, trains and management game developed by Urban Games and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment. Released on September 04th 2014 has received 3,502 reviews of which 2,251 were positive and 1,251 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for economy games.
6.3
2,251
1,251
-97%
19.99€
0.65€
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 June 15th 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 14,394 reviews of which 13,845 were positive and 549 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 556 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free economy games on Steam.
9.4
13,845
549
556
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 866 reviews of which 689 were positive and 177 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 142, this economy game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free economy games on Steam.
7.6
689
177
142
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 5,710 reviews of which 5,642 were positive and 68 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
5,642
68
44
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 898 reviews of which 675 were positive and 223 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
675
223
32
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 1,290 reviews of which 1,145 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
1,145
145
8
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 by Juggler Interactive and published by Juggler Interactive and Adventales. Released on April 05th 2024 has received 987 reviews of which 936 were positive and 51 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
936
51
4
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 1,467 reviews of which 1,270 were positive and 197 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free economy games on Steam.
8.3
1,270
197
1
players
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 378 reviews of which 256 were positive and 122 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
256
122
1
players