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

Drill Deal: Borehole (Alpha)

Drill Deal is a unique simulator in a fun style that will draw you for hours. It's a building simulator like never before. Feel the thrill of a drill hitting underwater oil fields. Sell the precious substance and make your oil rig more efficient.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.1
Release 10 Aug 2020

A Night In Berlin

A Night in Berlin is a narrative-driven third-person shooter featuring brutal fast-paced gameplay in a dark and atmospheric world.

Price Free to play
Rating 7.9
Release 07 Aug 2020

CHRONOSHOT

CHRONOSHOT is a free-to-play score-driven sci-fi arena shooting game, with specialized time mechanics. The player is equipped with a Jetpack, several weapons, and special ammunition which can be used to turn the tide against the enemy and dominate the leader board!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.2
Release 07 Aug 2020

Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis

Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis is a free-to-play action MMO. Join players around the world to explore the planet Halpha and fight in epic battles as ARKS Defenders! Unleash your imagination with our ultimate character creation experience and creative spaces to create your own phantasy.

Price Free to play
Rating 6.9
Release 05 Aug 2020

Sword Rogue

A simple rogue like action game. Use WASD to move, use the mouse to control the player character's direction, use the left mouse button to attack and right mouse button to use skill. Also supports keyboard only mode, see details in the ingame guide.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.9
Release 05 Aug 2020

東方催狐譚 ~ Servants of Harvest Wish

Set off on a journey to an autumnal paradise in this bountiful Touhou vertical Bullethell Shmup fan game made by overseas fans!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.9
Release 03 Aug 2020

Soulfire

Soulfire is a battle royale fighter that pits more than 20 teams against each other in a struggle for win.Compared to similar games, it features a 2.5D souls-lite combat system.

Price 5.99€
Rating 6.9
Release 03 Aug 2020

Frog Fractions: Game of the Decade Edition

The classic web game, reborn! Enjoy this remaster in glorious 4k resolution! Follow this frog on its arcade action adventure through swarm of bugs and beyond! Purchase the hat DLC for the ultimate experience, if you want to eat bugs while wearing a hat!

Price Free to play
Rating 9.1
Release 02 Aug 2020

Forkdrift

Have YOU ever wanted to flip your friends? How about driving a forklift? Or maybe picking up boxes too heavy for the mortal man? Well now you can, in Forkdrift! Forkdrift is a online PVP game centered around action-packed, competitive forkdrifting!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.0
Release 30 Jul 2020

Beneath a Steel Sky (1994)

After being abducted by brutal soldiers and his kinfolk butchered, Robert Foster finds himself in Union City - a vast metropolis under the tyranny of a fascist AI. Alone, save for the circuit board of his best friend, Foster must discover the sinister truth - and why they specifically came for him.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.4
Release 27 Jul 2020

Kinoko

The crisp winter air fills your lungs, but you can feel the earth underneath calling for you. The warmth from the sun melts the snow away and flowers bloom. Spring is here.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.0
Release 24 Jul 2020

Wurm Online

A sandbox MMORPG that has pushed the boundaries on what it means to be open world and stood the test of time. Dig, mine, shape the world around you and make your lasting mark!

Price Free to play
Rating 6.1
Release 24 Jul 2020

Faefever

Faefever tells the story of a troubled journalist trying to uncover the mystery of a missing brother and sister in the small town of Glenroch, where not all things are as they seem.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.1
Release 24 Jul 2020

STAR WARS™: The Old Republic™

STAR WARS™: The Old Republic™ is a free-to-play MMORPG that puts you at the center of your own story-driven saga. Play as a Jedi, Sith, Bounty Hunter, or one of many other iconic STAR WARS roles in the galaxy far, far away over three thousand years before the classic films.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.8
Release 21 Jul 2020

RPG World - Action RPG Maker

RPG World – THE Action RPG Maker! Unleash your imagination with RPG World and create, share and play amazing 3D games with our growing community. Claim glory and treasure as you conquer magical worlds, alone or as a team. No coding required!

Price Free to play
Rating 6.7
Release 17 Jul 2020

Accident: The Pilot

Become a journalist who researches old car accident cases. Help victims and perform first aid, obtain evidence and reconstruct the events to discover what really happened.

Price Free to play
Rating 6.7
Release 16 Jul 2020

The Call of Karen

The Call of Karen is a PC simulation comedy game about a 1950s suburban housewife whose home is being invaded by Cthulhu. Keep up appearances in the face of an unhappy marriage, ungrateful child, and eldritch madness!

Price Free to play
Rating 7.6
Release 16 Jul 2020

Soviet Jump Game

Snag powerups, collect coins, and battle against 49 other comrades in this 2D sidescrolling free-for-all. Together, we are one--but will you be the one who is held above all others?

Price Free to play
Rating 7.8
Release 16 Jul 2020

3on3 FreeStyle: Rebound

3on3 FreeStyle: Rebound allows players to work with their teammates to pull off rim-shaking slam dunks, awe-inspiring alley-oops, flashy no-look passes, and clutch outside shots which breaks the heart of the opposing team in competitive games filled with the joy and energy of street basketball.

Price Free to play
Rating 6.2
Release 14 Jul 2020

Combat Arms: the Classic

Combat Arms: the Classic is a multiplayer game, free-to-play modern first-person shooter. The game is a relaunch of Combat Arms in its glory days delivering gamers a nostalgic high-quality FPS with an extensive arsenal of weapons.

Price Free to play
Rating 6.3
Release 14 Jul 2020

Devolverland Expo

Devolverland Expo is a first-person 'marketing simulator' set within an abandoned convention center after the annual Devolver Digital game expo was mysteriously canceled.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.6
Release 11 Jul 2020

Soda Dungeon 2

Everyone’s favorite laid-back dungeon crawler returns in Soda Dungeon 2. Featuring a new adventure, a whole town to upgrade, crafting, new classes, alternate dimensions, and more! It’s everything you loved about the original plus all the stuff you’ve been asking for.

Price Free to play
Rating 9.1
Release 09 Jul 2020

Escape the Clinic

A first-person puzzle horror game. Solve clues, find hints, discover keys, and use passwords to navigate the haunted Clinic and find a way out.

Price Free to play
Rating 6.9
Release 07 Jul 2020

Friendly Fire

Can you save the world from an unknown destiny?

Price Free to play
Rating 8.9
Release 05 Jul 2020

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 04th 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 344,656 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.1
2,016,368
457,349

344,656
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 141,101 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

141,101
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 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 137,725 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
220,298
53,750

137,725
players

4. 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 989,584 reviews of which 664,448 were positive and 325,136 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. With 94,021 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free to play games.
6.7
664,448
325,136

94,021
players

5. 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 76,325 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free to play games.
8.1
73,189
15,564

76,325
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 748,348 reviews of which 477,680 were positive and 270,668 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. With 45,538 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free to play games.
6.4
477,680
270,668

45,538
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 42,537 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

42,537
players

8. 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 39,445 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free to play games.
7.5
179,963
58,114

39,445
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 39,376 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

39,376
players

10. 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 38,126 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free to play games.
6.4
66,752
36,578

38,126
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 04th 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 04th 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 344,656 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

344,656
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 141,101, 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

141,101
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 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 137,725, this free to play game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free free to play games on Steam.
8.0
220,298
53,750

137,725
players

4. 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 989,584 reviews of which 664,448 were positive and 325,136 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 94,021 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free free to play games on Steam.
6.7
664,448
325,136

94,021
players

5. 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 76,325 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free free to play games on Steam.
8.1
73,189
15,564

76,325
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 748,348 reviews of which 477,680 were positive and 270,668 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 45,538 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
477,680
270,668

45,538
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 42,537 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

42,537
players

8. 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 39,445 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free free to play games on Steam.
7.5
179,963
58,114

39,445
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 39,376 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

39,376
players

10. 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 38,126 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #10 position in the best free free to play games on Steam.
6.4
66,752
36,578

38,126
players