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

He Needs His Medicine

You have been dispatched for a 911 call. From the moment you step inside the apartment, you realize something is really wrong with the place. You are gonna make Him the last dosage. He needs his medicine.

Price Free to play
Rating 7.6
Release 14 Apr 2021

Hired Ops

Hired Ops is a session-based online shooter dedicated to fierce conflicts between rival mercenary groups battling on a global scale.

Price Free to play
Rating 6.6
Release 13 Apr 2021

SMASH LEGENDS

Play Smash Legends for free! Smash Legends is an exciting PVP action brawler where fairy tale Legends engage in a lively battle. Play solo or in a 3v3 team battle with your friends! Play now with Smashers from all over the world on Steam, iOS, and Android!

Price Free to play
Rating 6.8
Release 12 Apr 2021

Pixel Art Coloring Book

Pixel Art Coloring Book easily removes your stress! A huge range of colorful pixel art images in this coloring book is for ALL AGES! Relax while coloring awesome pixel art coloring pages. Start color by number today & feel better. It’s simple. It’s good. It’s fun.

Price Free to play
Rating 7.9
Release 12 Apr 2021

//TODO: today

A visual novel about figuring out life with the help of an AI. //TODO: today is a pastel colored slice-of-life story that let's you freely choose your pronouns and romantic preferences!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.6
Release 10 Apr 2021

NGU INDUSTRIES

NGU INDUSTRIES (sequel to NGU IDLE) is a Free To Play Idle game and Factory Manager! It's packed with weird humor, tons of upgrades, and many hours of content! If you want that sweet, sweet dopamine release that comes with making Numbers Go Up, NGU INDUSTRIES is your game!

Price Free to play
Rating 7.5
Release 05 Apr 2021

Your Chronicle

"Let's begin your own story." This is a text-based idle RPG game. There are already more than 3,000 unique story actions and it's still growing.

Price Free to play
Rating 7.7
Release 04 Apr 2021

IdleOn - The Idle RPG

Create different classes who all work together when you're gone! When you return, spend their loot on powerful upgrades and synergies - but don't be fooled by the simple graphics, IdleOn gets more complex with each World Boss you defeat!

Price Free to play
Rating 7.8
Release 02 Apr 2021

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.

Price Free to play
Rating 9.4
Release 01 Apr 2021

Junkyard Simulator: First Car (Prologue 2)

You'll go through a few quests, strip engines from cars then crush them with the small crusher (Yup, there's a monster crusher in the full game). Before you get to crushin', you'll need to track down some abadoned vehicles then transport them to the shop using your tow truck.

Price Free to play
Rating 6.5
Release 31 Mar 2021

ANOTHER EDEN

[Single player JRPG] Take your cat on a time-traveling adventure!

Price Free to play
Rating 6.7
Release 30 Mar 2021

Soul Dossier

Soul Dossier is a multiplayer game based on Oriental culture (5vS1). The game is based on a variety of traditional Oriental cultures, including five elements, eight diagrams and folklore.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.1
Release 29 Mar 2021

Sub Rosa

Sub Rosa is a multiplayer first-person shooter about tense deals, double-crosses, and the occasional high-speed car chase.

Price 19.50€
Rating 6.9
Release 25 Mar 2021

Super Mecha Champions

Super Mecha Champions is an action shooter featuring mecha combats, which sets scene in a neo-futuristic Alpha City. An exciting battle is taking place here, you need to overcome opponents with cutting-edge weapons, magnificent mechas and vehicles, aiming for the highest honor of being a champion!

Price Free to play
Rating 6.8
Release 25 Mar 2021

My Singing Monsters

Breed them, feed them, listen to them sing! Create an island full of Singing Monsters, then watch your song evolve as you breed and upgrade them. Design and build unique decorations to make your world look just the way you want. You'll love exploring the wonderful fantasy land of the Monster World!

Price Free to play
Rating 9.2
Release 24 Mar 2021

just a game to test your lQ

Wanna know about yourself better? Apply for a free lQ test provided by a Nobei Prize-winning doctor! The world's best experts will visit your house. You just need to solve a simple quiz.

Price Free to play
Rating 6.3
Release 21 Mar 2021

Holodrive

A fast-paced multiplayer shooter where you customize your robot, zoom around with a jetpack, and battle with various weapons. Master the arenas, surprise your enemies, and enjoy the nonstop action!

Price Free to play
Rating 7.5
Release 16 Mar 2021

Tadpole Tales

A tiny 2D Hand-drawn "Clean 'Em Up" game about a tadpole cleaning rivers and fighting pollution.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.5
Release 12 Mar 2021

VTube Studio

VTube Studio is all you'll ever need to become a Live2D VTuber, with innovative features such as pinning props to your model and many more still to come.

Price Free to play
Rating 9.0
Release 12 Mar 2021

Battle Ball

Battle Ball is a goofy online multiplayer game. Play with your team in a 3 v 3 game of loose-rules dodgeball meets twin-stick shooter. Play with your friends or knock them out by teaming up with random players!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.1
Release 12 Mar 2021

Evo\Wave

Evo\Wave is a 3D platformer featuring LAI-6, an A.I. with a goal to restore the world following the passage of MagnaVex who brought the world back to a retro era. Repair the Evo\Core to progress through the different graphic periods of the video game history!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.9
Release 12 Mar 2021

OMFG: One Million Fatal Guns

OMFG: One Million Fatal Guns kicks back into action in this fast-paced, over-the-top, roguelike, first person shooter. Shoot your way through a robot-hijacked space station, collecting more and more powerful guns as you go. There are over 30 million differently named guns at your disposal!

Price Free to play
Rating 9.1
Release 11 Mar 2021

Rem Survival

Tackle starvation, dehydration, thermal conditions, radiation poisoning, and toxic gas inhalation while trying to keep your sanity intact. Shack up, cook some chicken, and make friends or enemies as you discover, explore, learn, build, and develop your skills needed for a true survival experience.

Price 15.79€
Rating 7.2
Release 05 Mar 2021

Mitoza

It's not a game, it's a toy. Explore all cycles and prepare yourself to accept the inevitable effects of Mitoza.

Price Free to play
Rating 9.2
Release 05 Mar 2021

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 May 02nd 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 332,430 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.1
2,016,368
457,349

332,430
players

2. 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 274,048 reviews of which 220,298 were positive and 53,750 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. While seeing 128,643 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among free to play games based on player count.
8.0
220,298
53,750

128,643
players

3. 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 105,670 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among free to play games based on player count.
9.5
14,074
300

105,670
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 88,753 reviews of which 73,189 were positive and 15,564 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. With 82,058 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free to play games.
8.1
73,189
15,564

82,058
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 54,510 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

54,510
players

6. 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 43,050 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free to play games.
6.4
475,378
270,146

43,050
players

7. 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 42,741 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free to play games.
8.9
1,034,614
118,702

42,741
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 103,330 reviews of which 66,752 were positive and 36,578 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. With 36,862 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free to play games.
6.4
66,752
36,578

36,862
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 35,675 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

35,675
players

10. VRChat

Join our growing community as you explore, play, and help craft the future of social VR. Create worlds and custom avatars. Welcome to VRChat. VRChat is a vr, free to play and multiplayer game developed and published by VRChat Inc.. Released on February 01st 2017 has received 238,077 reviews of which 179,963 were positive and 58,114 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. With 28,988 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free to play games.
7.5
179,963
58,114

28,988
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 May 02nd 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 May 02nd 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 332,430 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

332,430
players

2. 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 274,048 reviews of which 220,298 were positive and 53,750 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 128,643, this free to play game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free free to play games on Steam.
8.0
220,298
53,750

128,643
players

3. 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 105,670, this free to play game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free free to play games on Steam.
9.5
14,074
300

105,670
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 88,753 reviews of which 73,189 were positive and 15,564 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 82,058 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free free to play games on Steam.
8.1
73,189
15,564

82,058
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 54,510 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

54,510
players

6. 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 43,050 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free free to play games on Steam.
6.4
475,378
270,146

43,050
players

7. 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 42,741 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free free to play games on Steam.
8.9
1,034,614
118,702

42,741
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 103,330 reviews of which 66,752 were positive and 36,578 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 36,862 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free free to play games on Steam.
6.4
66,752
36,578

36,862
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 35,675 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

35,675
players

10. VRChat

Join our growing community as you explore, play, and help craft the future of social VR. Create worlds and custom avatars. Welcome to VRChat. VRChat is a vr, free to play and multiplayer game developed and published by VRChat Inc.. Released on February 01st 2017 has received 238,077 reviews of which 179,963 were positive and 58,114 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 28,988 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #10 position in the best free free to play games on Steam.
7.5
179,963
58,114

28,988
players