Best Free to Play 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 free to play games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free free to play games are available at the bottom of the page.

Filters & Lists

Return to campus

An open world school game, you can bully your classmates, collect protection fees, go to the supermarket to make zero-dollar purchases, or even blow up the school. Of course, you can also study hard and exchange ideas with your classmates.

Price Free to play
Rating 7.8
Release 12 Jan 2025

Animal Jam

In Animal Jam, you can become your favorite animal, collect amazing items, adopt adorable pets, and create a style to express the real you as you explore the beautiful 3D world of Jamaa! 2017 Google Play Awards Winner ★ Best App for Kids

Price Free to play
Rating 6.4
Release 08 Jan 2025

Desktop Mate

Customize your PC with officially licensed, super-cute characters using the next-generation desktop mascot platform, Desktop Mate. Characters roam freely on your desktop, sitting on windows and playfully interacting with your mouse. Liven up your desktop with some new friends!

Price Free to play
Rating 6.4
Release 07 Jan 2025

Puck

Fast-paced physics-based hockey simulation where precision, strategy, and chaos collide. Control every move, pass, and shot with realistic puck physics, dynamic player movement, and thrilling gameplay. Master the rink with friends or team up with other Puck players for ultimate hockey dominance!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.2
Release 04 Jan 2025

Nigudin really fought against Furong Wangyuan

brief introductionNicotine vs. Furong Wangyuan "is a brain pumping game that takes place in a fantasy world called" Litang County ". Players will play as" Ding Zhen ", defeat Furong Wangyuan, and gradually uncover the truth about their ability to manipulate the level of Sharp Cut 5

Price Free to play
Rating 9.3
Release 31 Dec 2024

Tank Arena:Total Operation

Tank Arena:Total Operation is a free MMO war game where you play as a commander, drive thousands of types of tanks, armored vehicles or helicopters on a massive battlefield engaging in 12v12 team-based battles against players globally. Enjoy the fun!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.8
Release 19 Dec 2024

Royal Quest Online

Fantasy comes alive in this vast yet cozy free-to-play MMORPG! Choose between 4 classes and 8 subclasses, explore hundreds of locations, thousands of quests, dive into varied PvE and PvP modes, enter the unique vibrant world, and trade with other players. Play, explore, fight and be victorious!

Price Free to play
Rating 7.9
Release 19 Dec 2024

ENSCROLL

Fresh out of Magic Academy with a hefty student loan, you must craft and sell magic scrolls to pay off your debt. Create spells for demanding customers and manage your growing loan payments. Will your magical skills be enough to free you from student debt?

Price Free to play
Rating 8.8
Release 16 Dec 2024

Awaria

Awaria is a short game about working in haunted maintenance tunnels.

Price Free to play
Rating 9.4
Release 16 Dec 2024

100 Korea Cats

🐾 Join the cutest adventure in the 🇰🇷 Korea 🍙, full of cats! Explore the charming hand-drawn artwork of Korean 🥟🥢🍢 themed locations as you embark on a quest to find 100 adorable cats hidden throughout the game. 🕵️‍♂️❌ Can you find them all? 🕵️‍♂️🐈✅

Price Free to play
Rating 8.7
Release 15 Dec 2024

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2 is a next generation Action RPG from Grinding Gear Games, featuring co-op for up to six players. Set years after the original Path of Exile, you will return to the dark world of Wraeclast and seek to end the corruption that is spreading.

Price -45% 15.29€
Rating 7.1
Release 06 Dec 2024

100 New Year Cats

🐾 Join the cutest adventure in the 🍾 New Year 🌲, full of cats! Explore the charming hand-drawn artwork of New Year🥂 themed locations as you embark on a quest to find 100 adorable cats hidden throughout the game. 🕵️‍♂️❌ Can you find them all? 🕵️‍♂️🐈✅

Price Free to play
Rating 8.9
Release 05 Dec 2024

Marvel Rivals

Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter! Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.0
Release 05 Dec 2024

Delta Force

Delta Force is back! The iconic series returns as the definitive free-to-play modern team-based tactical shooter and featuring three distinct gameplay modes: large-scale PvP warfare, intense extraction shooter action, and a remake of the legendary Black Hawk Down campaign.

Price Free to play
Rating 6.5
Release 04 Dec 2024

Cats Hidden in Christmas

Cats Hidden in Christmas is a FREE hidden object game in which you must find 100 cats hidden in a festive, hand-drawn scene. Can you find them all?

Price Free to play
Rating 9.2
Release 01 Dec 2024

PockeDate! - Pocket Dating Simulator

Your Pocket-Sized Dating Simulator! Every launch brings a new date with unique dialogues! Spend endless hours with your adorable, love-struck virtual girlfriend.

Price Free to play
Rating 9.1
Release 27 Nov 2024

Arisen Force: Life Devotee

Enjoy a free-to-play, stylish action combat experience as you explore a chapter storylines from Journey to the West.

Price Free to play
Rating 9.2
Release 24 Nov 2024

Kota`s New Journey

An elven sorceress decides to visit her old friend, but gets caught up in a series of exciting (and slightly lewd) adventures, where she finds new friends, rare spells... and loses her swimsuit.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.9
Release 22 Nov 2024

Shiina Taki's Decameron

Shiina Taki's Decameron is a doujin interactive fiction based on anime「BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!」. The story concentrates on Shiina Taki, the drummer and song writer of MyGO!!!!! and her fight against fate till the last breath.

Price Free to play
Rating 9.6
Release 21 Nov 2024

Strinova

Strinova is an anime-style third-person tactical competitive shooter. Switch freely between three-dimensional and two-dimensional forms in this one-of-a-kind game that offers a unique tactical shooting system for an unparalleled experience.

Price Free to play
Rating 7.5
Release 21 Nov 2024

SUPERVIVE

MOBA BR MEETS HERO SHOOTER. Jump, glide, shoot, punch, bounce, nuke, spike your enemies in this free-flowing, chaotic battleground in the sky. Face off in all-out, multi-squad teamfights, take down boss monsters for big loot, get that W and run it back.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.8
Release 20 Nov 2024

NETHER DUNGEONS

Nether Dungeons is an action-packed dungeon crawler. Battle through procedurally generated dungeons, face relentless enemies, and defeat epic bosses. Customize your hero, wield diverse weapons, and survive intense challenges as you descend into ever-changing, dangerous depths.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.0
Release 15 Nov 2024

Fish Idle 2: Underwater Mystery

Dive into the most fun idle fishing arcade game! Manage your Fish Kingdoms with automated fishing, upgrade your boat and gear, invest in passive income, and outsmart the market. Become the ultimate fish tycoon!

Price Free to play
Rating 6.7
Release 15 Nov 2024

PAPERHEAD EP.0

In this cute cardboard world, something went horribly wrong... You wake up in a prison cell. A strange voice calls to you from the depths of dark corridors covered in runic symbols and blood. Reload your trusty shotgun and find out... WHY WOULD CARDBOARD... BLEED?

Price Free to play
Rating 8.9
Release 14 Nov 2024

Most played free to play games on Steam

Take a look at the top free to play games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 30th 2025.

1. Dota 2

Every day, millions of players worldwide enter battle as one of over a hundred Dota heroes. And no matter if it's their 10th hour of play or 1,000th, there's always something new to discover. With regular updates that ensure a constant evolution of gameplay, features, and heroes, Dota 2 has taken on a life of its own. Dota 2 is a free to play, moba and multiplayer game developed and published by Valve. Released on July 09th 2013 has received 2,473,717 reviews of which 2,016,368 were positive and 457,349 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played free to play game, thanks to its 284,822 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.1
2,016,368
457,349

284,822
players

2. Bongo Cat

Bongo cat needs your help. Bongo cat needz more hatz!!! Every time you press a key, Bongo cat will punch your taskbar. Type, click, play, work to collect more points. Which hats will you find? Bongo Cat is a casual, cats and clicker game developed by Marcel Zurawka and published by Irox Games. Released on March 05th 2025 has received 14,374 reviews of which 14,074 were positive and 300 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. While seeing 133,712 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among free to play games based on player count.
9.5
14,074
300

133,712
players

3. Marvel Rivals

Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter! Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe! Marvel Rivals is a free to play, multiplayer and hero shooter game developed and published by NetEase Games. Released on December 05th 2024 has received 270,085 reviews of which 217,320 were positive and 52,765 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. While seeing 126,058 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among free to play games based on player count.
8.0
217,320
52,765

126,058
players

4. Banana

Banana is a clicker Game, in which you click a Banana! In Banana you click the Banana to gain even more Bananas! Every 3 hours, you get dropped a banana. Each banana is also made by the community in discord. Come hang out with us and let's grow into something awesome ! Banana is a free to play, clicker and singleplayer game developed by Sky, AestheticSpartan and O'Brian and published by Sky. Released on April 23rd 2024 has received 88,393 reviews of which 72,949 were positive and 15,444 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. With 87,129 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free to play games.
8.2
72,949
15,444

87,129
players

5. Apex Legends™

Apex Legends is the award-winning, free-to-play Hero Shooter from Respawn Entertainment. Master an ever-growing roster of legendary characters with powerful abilities, and experience strategic squad play and innovative gameplay in the next evolution of Hero Shooter and Battle Royale. Apex Legends™ is a free to play, battle royale and multiplayer game developed by Respawn and published by Electronic Arts. Released on November 04th 2020 has received 988,584 reviews of which 663,861 were positive and 324,723 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. With 55,172 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free to play games.
6.7
663,861
324,723

55,172
players

6. Team Fortress 2

Nine distinct classes provide a broad range of tactical abilities and personalities. Constantly updated with new game modes, maps, equipment and, most importantly, hats! Team Fortress 2 is a free to play, hero shooter and multiplayer game developed and published by Valve. Released on October 10th 2007 has received 1,153,316 reviews of which 1,034,614 were positive and 118,702 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 35,558 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free to play games.
8.9
1,034,614
118,702

35,558
players

7. War Thunder

War Thunder is the most comprehensive free-to-play, cross-platform, MMO military game dedicated to aviation, armoured vehicles, and naval craft, from the early 20th century to the most advanced modern combat units. Join now and take part in major battles on land, in the air, and at sea. War Thunder is a free to play, simulation and vehicular combat game developed by Gaijin Entertainment and published by Gaijin Network Ltd. Released on August 15th 2013 has received 745,524 reviews of which 475,378 were positive and 270,146 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. With 34,911 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free to play games.
6.4
475,378
270,146

34,911
players

8. Delta Force

Delta Force is back! The iconic series returns as the definitive free-to-play modern team-based tactical shooter and featuring three distinct gameplay modes: large-scale PvP warfare, intense extraction shooter action, and a remake of the legendary Black Hawk Down campaign. Delta Force is a free to play, fps and multiplayer game developed by Team Jade and published by TiMi Studio Group. Released on December 04th 2024 has received 100,523 reviews of which 65,408 were positive and 35,115 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. With 33,340 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free to play games.
6.5
65,408
35,115

33,340
players

9. Warframe

Awaken as an unstoppable warrior and battle alongside your friends in this story-driven free-to-play online action game Warframe is a free to play, action rpg and looter shooter game developed and published by Digital Extremes. Released on March 25th 2013 has received 622,221 reviews of which 542,080 were positive and 80,141 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. With 32,759 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free to play games.
8.7
542,080
80,141

32,759
players

10. Lost Ark

Embark on an odyssey for the Lost Ark in a vast, vibrant world: explore new lands, seek out lost treasures, and test yourself in thrilling action combat in this action-packed free-to-play RPG. Lost Ark is a mmorpg, free to play and action rpg game developed by Smilegate RPG and published by Amazon Games. Released on February 11th 2022 has received 201,847 reviews of which 143,496 were positive and 58,351 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. With 29,043 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free to play games.
7.1
143,496
58,351

29,043
players

Best deals on free to play games on Steam

Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of free to play games available on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted free to play games.

1. Minds of Nations

Grand Strategy Game. How does reincarnation affect the evolution of a state ? Control the material well-being of your country with a backbone of spiritual growth. Religion. Economy. Diplomacy. War. Souls. Karma. Ideology. Tech. Stories. Single-Player. MMO. Minds of Nations is a strategy, simulation and massively multiplayer game developed by Omnem, CyberSports, Soul Playing Games and Ohm and published by CyberSports and Soul Playing Games. Released on April 11th 2023 has received 552 reviews of which 378 were positive and 174 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. Featuring a massive 70% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for free to play category.
6.6
378
174

-70% 19.50€ 5.85€

Free free to play games on Steam

Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play free to play games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play free to play games.

1. Dota 2

Every day, millions of players worldwide enter battle as one of over a hundred Dota heroes. And no matter if it's their 10th hour of play or 1,000th, there's always something new to discover. With regular updates that ensure a constant evolution of gameplay, features, and heroes, Dota 2 has taken on a life of its own. Dota 2 is a free to play, moba and multiplayer game developed and published by Valve. Released on July 09th 2013 has received 2,473,717 reviews of which 2,016,368 were positive and 457,349 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. With 284,822 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free free to play games on Steam.
8.1
2,016,368
457,349

284,822
players

2. Bongo Cat

Bongo cat needs your help. Bongo cat needz more hatz!!! Every time you press a key, Bongo cat will punch your taskbar. Type, click, play, work to collect more points. Which hats will you find? Bongo Cat is a casual, cats and clicker game developed by Marcel Zurawka and published by Irox Games. Released on March 05th 2025 has received 14,374 reviews of which 14,074 were positive and 300 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 133,712, this free to play game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free free to play games on Steam.
9.5
14,074
300

133,712
players

3. Marvel Rivals

Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter! Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe! Marvel Rivals is a free to play, multiplayer and hero shooter game developed and published by NetEase Games. Released on December 05th 2024 has received 270,085 reviews of which 217,320 were positive and 52,765 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 126,058, this free to play game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free free to play games on Steam.
8.0
217,320
52,765

126,058
players

4. Banana

Banana is a clicker Game, in which you click a Banana! In Banana you click the Banana to gain even more Bananas! Every 3 hours, you get dropped a banana. Each banana is also made by the community in discord. Come hang out with us and let's grow into something awesome ! Banana is a free to play, clicker and singleplayer game developed by Sky, AestheticSpartan and O'Brian and published by Sky. Released on April 23rd 2024 has received 88,393 reviews of which 72,949 were positive and 15,444 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 87,129 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free free to play games on Steam.
8.2
72,949
15,444

87,129
players

5. Apex Legends™

Apex Legends is the award-winning, free-to-play Hero Shooter from Respawn Entertainment. Master an ever-growing roster of legendary characters with powerful abilities, and experience strategic squad play and innovative gameplay in the next evolution of Hero Shooter and Battle Royale. Apex Legends™ is a free to play, battle royale and multiplayer game developed by Respawn and published by Electronic Arts. Released on November 04th 2020 has received 988,584 reviews of which 663,861 were positive and 324,723 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 55,172 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free free to play games on Steam.
6.7
663,861
324,723

55,172
players

6. Team Fortress 2

Nine distinct classes provide a broad range of tactical abilities and personalities. Constantly updated with new game modes, maps, equipment and, most importantly, hats! Team Fortress 2 is a free to play, hero shooter and multiplayer game developed and published by Valve. Released on October 10th 2007 has received 1,153,316 reviews of which 1,034,614 were positive and 118,702 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 35,558 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free free to play games on Steam.
8.9
1,034,614
118,702

35,558
players

7. War Thunder

War Thunder is the most comprehensive free-to-play, cross-platform, MMO military game dedicated to aviation, armoured vehicles, and naval craft, from the early 20th century to the most advanced modern combat units. Join now and take part in major battles on land, in the air, and at sea. War Thunder is a free to play, simulation and vehicular combat game developed by Gaijin Entertainment and published by Gaijin Network Ltd. Released on August 15th 2013 has received 745,524 reviews of which 475,378 were positive and 270,146 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 34,911 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free free to play games on Steam.
6.4
475,378
270,146

34,911
players

8. Delta Force

Delta Force is back! The iconic series returns as the definitive free-to-play modern team-based tactical shooter and featuring three distinct gameplay modes: large-scale PvP warfare, intense extraction shooter action, and a remake of the legendary Black Hawk Down campaign. Delta Force is a free to play, fps and multiplayer game developed by Team Jade and published by TiMi Studio Group. Released on December 04th 2024 has received 100,523 reviews of which 65,408 were positive and 35,115 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 33,340 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free free to play games on Steam.
6.5
65,408
35,115

33,340
players

9. Warframe

Awaken as an unstoppable warrior and battle alongside your friends in this story-driven free-to-play online action game Warframe is a free to play, action rpg and looter shooter game developed and published by Digital Extremes. Released on March 25th 2013 has received 622,221 reviews of which 542,080 were positive and 80,141 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 32,759 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #9 position in the best free free to play games on Steam.
8.7
542,080
80,141

32,759
players

10. Lost Ark

Embark on an odyssey for the Lost Ark in a vast, vibrant world: explore new lands, seek out lost treasures, and test yourself in thrilling action combat in this action-packed free-to-play RPG. Lost Ark is a mmorpg, free to play and action rpg game developed by Smilegate RPG and published by Amazon Games. Released on February 11th 2022 has received 201,847 reviews of which 143,496 were positive and 58,351 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 29,043 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #10 position in the best free free to play games on Steam.
7.1
143,496
58,351

29,043
players