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

Skelethrone: The Prey

This game is a challenging 2D action platformer with RPG elements inspired by games like Castlevania and Dark Souls. Skelethrone: The Prey is a free prequel to the main game, setting the stage for the events that will unfold throughout Skelethrone: The Chronicles of Ericona campaign.

Price Free to play
Rating 7.2
Release 14 Mar 2024

last seen online

Look through someone else’s computer. Inspired by early “escape room” flash games.

Price Free to play
Rating 9.3
Release 14 Mar 2024

Toy Shire: Room One

Are you prepared for a thrilling toy army tower defense adventure? Welcome to the Toy Shire! Battle diverse foes in various locations, defend your family, and repel foes from your area. Save the world by strengthening your defense with toy towers! FULL GAME AVAILABLE NOW!

Price Free to play
Rating 9.0
Release 13 Mar 2024

FROM ASHES, BLOOM

A minimalist rogue-like tower defense where you protect Earth against humanity.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.7
Release 11 Mar 2024

Rental

Rental is a short and spooky adventure game about the dangers of renting a house in an unknown place.

Price Free to play
Rating 9.0
Release 07 Mar 2024

MetaBall - Multiplayer Basketball

Experience the thrill of Hoverboard Basketball! Team up or challenge players worldwide in fast-paced crossplay PvP matches. Master the ball, dribble, and outwit your opponents to score impressive goals— with no aim assist. Only skill and creativity matter. Grab your Hoverboard and dominate now!

Price Free to play
Rating 6.5
Release 07 Mar 2024

100 March Cats

🌸🌹🐾100 March Cats - Join the cutest adventure in the lovely themed 🌷🌸🐈 locations full of cats! Explore the charming hand-drawn artwork of the women day places and Cats hidden throughout the game. 🕵️‍♂️❌ Can you find them all? 🕵️‍♂️🐈✅

Price Free to play
Rating 9.2
Release 06 Mar 2024

Egg RTX

Experience one of the games of all time like never before with Egg RTX. Fully remastered for next gen performance, Egg RTX includes raytracing and advanced shadows, never before seen in a game about eggs!

Price Free to play
Rating 7.6
Release 05 Mar 2024

Winter Cats

❄️ Hidden Winter Cats - Find and paint 100 hidden cats in this big snowy location! Test your attention and relax in this cozy and free game 😺

Price Free to play
Rating 8.4
Release 29 Feb 2024

100 Robo Cats

🤖🦾🐾100 Robo Cats - Join the cutest adventure in the Robot-themed 🔩🦿 locations full of cats! Explore the charming hand-drawn artwork of the Robo places and Cats 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 8.6
Release 26 Feb 2024

100 Dino Cats

🦖🐾100 Dino Cats - Join the cutest adventure in the Dino themed 🦕🐈 locations full of cats! Explore the charming hand-drawn artwork of the Dino places and Cats 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 9.1
Release 26 Feb 2024

Alpha League

Alpha League is a free-to-play, hero based Auto Chess. In Alpha League, simply pick and build your favorite hero in a Roguelike fashion with 12 different combat genres, and then battle the other 7 Bots or Players to be the winner.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.0
Release 22 Feb 2024

Purrfectly Hidden Cats - Kittenrock

Welcome to the enchanting 'Purrfectly Hidden Cats - Kittenrock' resort! Uncover hidden cats in a captivating mountain setting, complete with nature, cabins, and campgrounds. Delve into charming mini-stories and find surprises in a world that's playfully inviting!

Price Free to play
Rating 9.0
Release 20 Feb 2024

Please, Touch The Artwork 2

A handpainted cozy hidden object adventure. Explore a surreal world. Collect items for its quirky inhabitants. Fix damaged paintings and solve casual puzzles. Help a lost skeleton painter find his way home. This game is short but 100% FREE (no ads, no IAP).

Price Free to play
Rating 9.5
Release 19 Feb 2024

CivIdle

CivIdle is an idle/incremental game that allows you to lead your own civilization through thousands of years from ancient times to the modern era. Expand your territory, explore a vast tech tree, build various wonders, and trade with global players: empire must grow and numbers must go up!

Price Free to play
Rating 7.2
Release 16 Feb 2024

20 Small Mazes

This is a puzzle game with twenty small mazes. They're good mazes, though.

Price Free to play
Rating 9.6
Release 16 Feb 2024

The Aquarium does not dance

This is a horror adventure game where a girl, devoted to her best friend, searches for her companion in an aquarium that has transformed into a world of horror. While evading the deformed entities known as "Creepies," the player must unravel the mysteries concealed within the aquarium.

Price Free to play
Rating 9.1
Release 14 Feb 2024

Notanote

Welcome to Notanote!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.3
Release 13 Feb 2024

100 Ninja Cats

🐱🥋100 Ninja Cats - Join the cutest adventure in the Ninja themed 🗡️ locations full of cats! Explore the charming hand-drawn artwork of the Ninja places and Cats 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 9.3
Release 12 Feb 2024

Sputnika Game

A Cosmic twist on a Suika-style game with space gravity. Help our little friend Sputnik on his journey to become the Sun.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.4
Release 11 Feb 2024

Looking For Cats In a Badly Drawn Forest

Look around the house, mountain peaks and forest to find 300 cats hidden in the most unexpected places!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.6
Release 08 Feb 2024

Sheepy: A Short Adventure

A Short Handcrafted Pixel Art Platformer that follows Sheepy, an abandoned plushy brought to life. Sheepy: A Short Adventure is the first short game from MrSuicideSheep.

Price Free to play
Rating 9.6
Release 06 Feb 2024

The Lancaster Leak - Entity Exam

YOU CONTROL THE FOUND FOOTAGE. Another tape has been leaked, this time a recording of a training protocol. By answering questions and resisting jumpscares, can you beat the Entity Exam?

Price Free to play
Rating 8.4
Release 05 Feb 2024

Soak & Splash

The game is an ultimate sauna experience where players can enjoy socializing with friends and strangers that easily can become friends. It's all about having fun, relaxing, and experiencing the unique benefits of sauna culture.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.5
Release 04 Feb 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