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

Grass Cutter - Mutated Lawns

Challenge lawn monsters!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.1
Release 24 Mar 2017

The Fishing Club 3D: Multiplayer Sport Angling

Bait your hooks and go sport-fishing around the world! Take part in epic fishing competitions or just go fishing and relax. Tight lines!

Price Free to play
Rating 7.3
Release 23 Mar 2017

McOsu

A free open-source circle-clicking rhythm game practice client for osu! beatmaps with Virtual Reality support. McOsu is developed separately from and has no direct affiliation with osu! or ppy Pty Ltd.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.6
Release 20 Mar 2017

Sounds of Her Love

In the midst of their hearts, something is blossoming between two students. Both of whom go about their daily lives at an international school in Tokyo. Just what is flowering? Of course, it's love. Starting your new life after transferring into an international school, you find yourself dismayed when it turns out to be the same as any...

Price Free to play
Rating 8.6
Release 09 Mar 2017

Deceit

Test your instincts at trust and deception in an action-filled, multiplayer first-person shooter. You wake up in unknown surroundings to the sound of the Game Master’s unfamiliar voice, surrounded by five others. A third of your group have been infected with a virus, but who will escape?

Price Free to play
Rating 7.8
Release 03 Mar 2017

DED

DED - a game in the shoot'em up genre. Your granddaughter has been kidnapped, and your daughter and son-in-law murdered. Having just bits and pieces of information about the abductors, you will have to save your granddaughter and find the masterminds behind these crimes.

Price Free to play
Rating 7.7
Release 03 Mar 2017

Tanki Online

Tanki Online is the free-to-play MMO-shooter with real-time PvP-battles. Throw yourself into furious tank battles shoulder to shoulder with other living players and master your skills – destroy enemy tanks, customize your futuristic armored vehicle and compete with tankers from all over the world.

Price Free to play
Rating 6.1
Release 02 Mar 2017

Belko VR: An Escape Room Experiment

Exploring the themes in THE BELKO EXPERIMENT, the Belko VR – Escape Room Experiment provokes the question: “What does it take to survive at work?” Players are prompted to solve a series of challenging puzzles in order to escape from their office before a microchip in their head explodes.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.1
Release 02 Mar 2017

Impulse of War

Stop! You haven't captured the train yet? Didn't build a base and haven't mastered the planet? I won't jump from a springboard to take the flag! I'll be waiting for you!

Price Free to play
Rating 6.2
Release 24 Feb 2017

BRAIN / OUT

Brain / Out is a multiplayer shooter with a nostalgic post-Soviet feel. Experience dynamic battles and exterminate your enemies with a large arsenal of modern weaponry. Lock'n'load!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.0
Release 24 Feb 2017

MadOut2 BigCityOnline [CLOSED]

Open world game, with free roam game play, many cars, missions and - online mode!

Price Free to play
Rating 7.2
Release 21 Feb 2017

Zup! 4

Minimal physical puzzle with explosions

Price 1.99€
Rating 8.7
Release 20 Feb 2017

CPU Invaders

Invaders are living inside your computer. You shouldn't let that happen! Interact with your desktop while playing, watch Youtube videos, chat with your friends and more! CPU Invaders overlaps the game itself with your computer screen.

Price 29.99€
Rating 7.9
Release 17 Feb 2017

Canvas The Gallery

Use spraypaint to paint whatever you want in a blank art gallery. Send your galleries to your friends for them to view your artwork.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.5
Release 16 Feb 2017

Dropzone

Dropzone is a game of action, strategy and skill. Win 15 minute battles by scoring points. Unlock gear, customize your squad of up to 3 Units and compete in Team 3v3, 2v2 or 1v1 matches. Lay claim to the riches of Europa!

Price Free to play
Rating 6.7
Release 15 Feb 2017

9Dragons

9Dragons is a free to play MMORPG with fluid martial arts combat, lush environments, and intense PvP. Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing world set in ancient China at the beginning of martial arts chivalry.

Price Free to play
Rating 6.5
Release 14 Feb 2017

Totemori

Totemori is a free-to-play local-multiplayer brawler where you build towers while trying to topple everyone else’s!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.1
Release 10 Feb 2017

Soda Dungeon

Pop the top on some legendary action with Soda Dungeon, the fresh and fizzy hit mobile RPG adventure, now available on your desktop! Manage your team as you raid the local dungeons, upgrade your tavern, and attract new party members. Gold, legendary items, and more await you.

Price Free to play
Rating 9.1
Release 06 Feb 2017

We Were Here

Lost in a frozen wasteland and split up from your partner inside an abandoned castle, the only possession you have left is a walkie-talkie with a familiar voice on the other end. Can the two of you find your way out in time?

Price Free to play
Rating 8.8
Release 03 Feb 2017

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.

Price Free to play
Rating 7.5
Release 01 Feb 2017

Midas Gold Plus

Discover Midas Gold Plus, an engaging idle clicker set in a mythical world! Harness King Midas' golden touch, build a legendary city, and unlock powerful champions. Master unique gameplay styles, explore pet battles, and conquer rival cities. Delve into this ancient tycoon adventure today!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.2
Release 01 Feb 2017

Guild Quest

You’ve just bought yourself a new island and it’s time to fill it up with QUESTS! Collect guildians, upgrade their guildhalls, and unleash them onto your own custom quest lines.

Price Free to play
Rating 6.4
Release 26 Jan 2017

CAYNE

Hadley wakes in a facility. She is 9 months pregnant. They want her baby... CAYNE is the FREE, isometric horror game from the creators of STASIS.

Price Free to play
Rating 7.7
Release 24 Jan 2017

RED

Story: Red receives the invitation card from her grandmother and decides to visit her, but there is all over the monsters on her way. Those monsters try to stop and take her away, so she needs to use her personality to get out of the danger. The story background is in the deep forest.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.7
Release 14 Jan 2017

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 01st 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 321,724 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.1
2,016,368
457,349

321,724
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 135,778 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

135,778
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 131,785 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

131,785
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 101,445 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

101,445
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 92,511 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

92,511
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 44,822 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

44,822
players

7. 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 37,658 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free to play games.
6.4
66,752
36,578

37,658
players

8. 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 35,849 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free to play games.
7.1
143,496
58,351

35,849
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 35,245 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

35,245
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 33,779 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

33,779
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 01st 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 01st 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 321,724 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

321,724
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 135,778, 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

135,778
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 131,785, 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

131,785
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 101,445 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

101,445
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 92,511 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

92,511
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 44,822 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

44,822
players

7. 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 37,658 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
66,752
36,578

37,658
players

8. 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 35,849 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free free to play games on Steam.
7.1
143,496
58,351

35,849
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 35,245 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

35,245
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 33,779 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

33,779
players