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
Kingdoms and Castles Kingdoms and Castles is a city-building simulation game about growing a kingdom from a tiny hamlet to a sprawling city and imposing castle. Make trade agreements, alliance, and war with neighboring AI controlled kingdoms. Each villager and resource is individually simulated.

Price 14.79€
Rating 9.1
Release 20 Jul 2017
SAELIG SÆLIG is a game that blends together elements of simulation, strategy, RPG, and business management. Centred around the life of you and your family, you must try to survive and bring wealth and prosperity to your household.

Price 12.49€
Rating 8.0
Release 30 Jun 2017
Bounty Train Explore the dangerous life, the accurate historic events and contemporary inventions of the North American/US 19th century. Acquire one of the most legendary steam machines and transform it into a fortress on rails.

Price -88% 1.25€
Rating 6.8
Release 16 May 2017
Pharaoh + Cleopatra Immerse yourself in Ancient Egypt from the age of the great pyramids to the final years of the New Kingdom.

Price 9.99€
Rating 8.8
Release 15 Dec 2016
Zeus + Poseidon Zeus + Poseidon delivers hundreds of hours of gameplay in one game!

Price 9.99€
Rating 9.1
Release 15 Dec 2016
Planet Coaster Planet Coaster® - the future of coaster park simulation games has arrived! Surprise, delight and thrill incredible crowds as you build your coaster park empire - let your imagination run wild, and share your success with the world.

Price -88% 4.73€
Rating 9.0
Release 17 Nov 2016
Screeps: World Screeps: World is an open source MMO RTS sandbox game for programming enthusiasts, wherein the core mechanic is programming your units AI. You control your colony by writing JavaScript which operates 24/7 in the single persistent open world filled by other players on par with you.

Price 14.99€
Rating 8.3
Release 16 Nov 2016
Motorsport Manager Have you got what it takes to become the manager of a high-performance motorsport team? Motorsport Manager is a highly detailed, best-in-class management game for fans of motorsport. You’ll hire the drivers, build the cars and embed yourself in the dynamic world of racing.

Price -88% 2.52€
Rating 8.9
Release 09 Nov 2016
Transport Fever Transport Fever is a railroad-focused tycoon game. Players start in 1850 and build up a thriving transport company. As an emerging transport tycoon, the player constructs stations, airports, harbors and makes money by connecting areas requiring transport services. Build up your own Empire!

Price -98% 0.68€
Rating 8.1
Release 08 Nov 2016
Farming Simulator 17 Take on the role of a modern farmer in Farming Simulator 17! Explore farming possibilities in a new North American environment. Drive over 250 farming vehicles and equipment from over 75 manufacturers, including new brands such as Challenger, Fendt, Valtra or Massey Ferguson.

Price -67% 4.18€
Rating 9.1
Release 24 Oct 2016
Make America Great Again: The Trump Presidency A Pro-Donald Trump presidential simulation. Make America Rich Again through trade. Make America Safe again by Defeating ISIS. Make America Great Again!

Price 2.99€
Rating 8.2
Release 26 Sep 2016
Cossacks 3 Cossacks 3 is the return of RTS classics. Obtain resources, build cities and research technologies while taking command of great armies, crushing enemies in grand historical warfares on land and sea!

Price -81% 3.88€
Rating 8.0
Release 20 Sep 2016
Stronghold Legends: Steam Edition Catapult werewolves over castle walls, incinerate troops with dragon fire and command the Knights of the Round Table! This remaster of the mythical ‘castle sim’ features Steam multiplayer, Workshop support, new maps, achievements and DLC campaigns.

Price -70% 4.49€
Rating 8.4
Release 15 Sep 2016
Mad Games Tycoon Form your own game studio set in the early 1980s in a small garage. Develop your own game ideas, create a team and develop megahit video games. Research new technologies, train your staff and upgrade your office space, going from a lowly garage to a huge building. Expand your business and dominate the world market for video games!

Price -86% 2.24€
Rating 8.8
Release 13 Sep 2016
Project Highrise Project Highrise is a skyscraper construction and management sim...

Price -96% 0.86€
Rating 8.2
Release 08 Sep 2016
Caesar™ IV Starting as governor of a newly formed province in the Roman Empire your goal is simple: advance up the empire's political ladder to become the next Caesar.

Price 9.99€
Rating 6.8
Release 29 Aug 2016
The Pirate: Caribbean Hunt Hail to the Captain! Sail into the heart of the Caribbean in the Age of Piracy - the time of black flags and white skulls, blue waves and golden opportunities. Hoist the Jolly Roger and grab the steering wheel to sail through battles and raids, ransoms and treasures, to become the Crimson King of the Antilles!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.0
Release 24 Aug 2016
Turmoil Drill for oil like it's 1899! Turmoil offers players a visually charming, tongue-in-cheek take on the simulation genre inspired by the 19th century oil rush in North America.

Price -94% 0.79€
Rating 9.1
Release 02 Jun 2016
Simutrans Simutrans is a freeware and open-source transportation simulator. Your goal is to establish a successful transport company. Transport passengers, mail and goods by rail, road, ship, and even air. Interconnect districts, cities, public buildings, industries and tourist attractions.

Price Free to play
Rating 7.2
Release 24 May 2016
Shoppe Keep Run an adventurers shop – a serious business in a fantasy environment. Stock your store with dangerous weapons, fancy hats, sturdy armour and magical potions.

Price -83% 0.71€
Rating 6.1
Release 20 May 2016
Blueprint Tycoon Build your settlement, gather goods, ensure maximum efficiency and make a profit!

Price -85% 0.47€
Rating 7.8
Release 13 May 2016
Offworld Trading Company Mars has been colonized, and Earth's corporate titans fight to dominate this new market. Competition is fierce in this fast-paced economic RTS from Civilization IV Lead Designer, Soren Johnson.

Price -97% 1.13€
Rating 7.5
Release 28 Apr 2016
American Truck Simulator Experience legendary American trucks and deliver various cargoes across sunny California, sandy Nevada, and the Grand Canyon State of Arizona. American Truck Simulator takes you on a journey through the breathtaking landscapes and widely recognized landmarks around the States.

Price -68% 6.49€
Rating 9.6
Release 02 Feb 2016
Anno 2205™ In Anno 2205™, you join humankind‘s next step into the future with the promise to build a better tomorrow. You conquer Earth, establishing rich, bustling cities and grand industrial complexes, but to secure the prosperity of your people, you must travel into space.

Price 39.99€
Rating 6.8
Release 02 Nov 2015

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 16th 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 4,601 peak concurrent players over the last day.
6.6
35,043
17,575

4,601
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 3,157 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

3,157
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 2,631 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

2,631
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 2,190 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

2,190
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 1,747 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

1,747
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 881 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

881
players

7. 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 638 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played economy games.
8.6
22,007
3,036

638
players

8. 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 620 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played economy games.
8.0
10,744
2,468

620
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 472 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

472
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 462 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

462
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 16th 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€ 0.36€

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€ 0.48€

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. 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 #7 position in the best deals for economy games.
8.1
7,797
1,619

-97% 29.99€ 0.93€

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 3,714 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 #8 position in the best deals for economy games.
6.8
2,603
1,111

-97% 16.99€ 0.56€

9. SteamWorld Build

SteamWorld Build is a casual city-building and dungeon-management cross-over set in the SteamWorld Universe, where you build and manage a town on a dying planet. You'll need to balance resources, construction, and exploration to its depths to ensure your town's survival and eventual escape. SteamWorld Build is a city builder, relaxing and casual game developed by The Station and published by Thunderful Publishing. Released on December 01st 2023 has received 1,616 reviews of which 1,352 were positive and 264 were negative resulting in a rating of 8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 96% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for economy games.
8
1,352
264

-96% 24.99€ 1.02€

10. Airline Tycoon Deluxe

Airline Tycoon Deluxe is a funny economy simulation proceeding in realtime and assigning you the complete responsibility for an airline. Airline Tycoon Deluxe is a simulation, management and retro game developed by Spellbound and published by HandyGames and Black Forest Games. Released on November 14th 2014 has received 615 reviews of which 513 were positive and 102 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 96% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for economy games.
7.9
513
102

-96% 9.99€ 0.43€

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 16th 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 472 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

472
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 126, this economy game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free economy games on Steam.
7.6
689
177

126
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 5,794 reviews of which 5,726 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
5,726
68

39
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 899 reviews of which 674 were positive and 225 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
674
225

27
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

10
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

2
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