Best Programming 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 programming games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free programming games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
hackmud
hackmud is a retro cyberpunk RPG where you play a digital persona in a chaotic, unpredictable, and often goofy abandoned internet. Enter a 90s hacker movie filled with scripts, scams, and sabotage. Explore the world of digital secrets and forge your legacy through cunning, creativity, or disruption.
Mad Games Tycoon
Form your own game studio set in the early 1980s in a small garage. Develop your own game ideas, create a team and develop megahit video games. Research new technologies, train your staff and upgrade your office space, going from a lowly garage to a huge building. Expand your business and dominate the world market for video games!
Quadrilateral Cowboy
When you have a top-of-the-line hacking deck armed with a 56.6k modem and a staggering 256k RAM, it means just one thing: you answer only to the highest bidder.
Glitchspace
Glitchspace is about reprogramming the game to solve puzzles. Trapped in an abstract cyberspace world, your way forward uses visual programming to edit environmental geometry, whilst unlocking key programming concepts along the way.
Godot Engine
Godot Engine is a feature-packed, cross-platform game engine to create 2D and 3D games from a unified interface. It provides a comprehensive set of common tools, so that you can focus on making games without having to reinvent the wheel.
Black Ink
Explore Black Ink, a GPU-based painting app redefining creativity. Move beyond traditional tools, customize brushes, and let your imagination soar. Node-based system offers limitless control. Create in high-definition without performance loss.
Human Resource Machine
Program little office workers to solve puzzles. Be a good employee! The machines are coming... for your job. From the creators of World of Goo and Little Inferno.
Else Heart.Break()
A game about friendship, love and technology in a place where bits have replaced atoms.
TIS-100
TIS-100 is an open-ended programming game by Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem and Infinifactory, in which you rewrite corrupted code segments to repair the TIS-100 and unlock its secrets. It’s the assembly language programming game you never asked for!
The Magic Circle
In this darkly comedic story, you are the hero of an unfinished fantasy game, and your designers have failed you. Steal the power of a game god - trap their creations, swap behaviors and body parts, crafting your own unique solutions to free-form puzzles. Can you release a game ...from the inside?
Infinifactory
Infinifactory is a sandbox puzzle game by Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem and Infiniminer. Build factories that assemble products for your alien overlords, and try not to die in the process.
Software Inc.
Construct and design buildings for optimal working conditions. Hire people to design and release software, so you can defeat the simulated competition and take over their businesses. Manage and educate your employees to make sure they are skilled and satisfied with their job.
Homebrew - Patent Unknown
Unleash your creativity and craft anything from flying cars to jet-powered toilets.Fair warning: there's a learning curve. But once you've got it, the sky's the limit for your creations!While active development is paused, we focus preserving the game and keeping it accessible.
Contraption Maker
The spiritual successor to The Incredible Machine from its original designer and programmer. Play 100s of puzzles. Build and share elaborate contraptions with an huge variety of parts and critters.
RPG Maker VX Ace
RPG Maker VX Ace improves on every aspect of creating your very own epic adventure. An extremely powerful editor, Ace supports multiple tilesets, offers full control over autoshadow and has a very flexible features system.
SpaceChem
Zachtronics is back with an ambitious new design-based puzzle game. Take on the role of a Reactor Engineer working for SpaceChem, the leading chemical synthesizer for frontier colonies. Construct elaborate factories to transform raw materials into valuable chemical products!
Uplink
Uplink lets you play as a freelance hacker tackling risky contracts for corporations. Break into systems, steal data, sabotage rivals, and upgrade your gear. Support factions or go rogue in this immersive, strategy-driven hacking simulation game where your choices shape the outcome.
Most played programming games on Steam
Take a look at the top programming games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 15th 2025.
1. Bitburner
Bitburner is a programming-based incremental game. Write scripts in JavaScript to automate gameplay, learn skills, play minigames, solve puzzles, and more in this cyberpunk text-based incremental RPG. Bitburner is a programming, idler and automation game developed by Fulcrum Games, Hydroflame and over 250 github contributors and published by Fulcrum Games. Released on December 10th 2021 has received 6,636 reviews of which 6,314 were positive and 322 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played programming game, thanks to its 466 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.2
6,314
322
466
players
2. Turing Complete
Learn CPU architecture with puzzles Turing Complete is a programming, logic and education game developed and published by LevelHead. Released on October 02nd 2021 has received 4,011 reviews of which 3,862 were positive and 149 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. While seeing 194 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among programming games based on player count.
9.3
3,862
149
194
players
3. Auto Rogue
A roguelike where you automate combat. Combine skills and conditions to find your own optimal solution! No complicated controls at all!! Sit back with a coffee and watch the beautiful battles you've crafted unfold! Utilize a variety of skills, conditions, and relics to craft the ultimate build! Auto Rogue is a rogue-like, programming and automation game developed and published by 定期的な宝物. Released on May 23rd 2025 has received 339 reviews of which 318 were positive and 21 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. While seeing 109 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among programming games based on player count.
8.6
318
21
109
players
4. Desynced
Desynced is a sci-fi strategy game with fully customizable units and behaviors. Gather, build, research, and explore the unknown. Alone or with friends, unveil the mystery of an AI on the edge of self-awareness and uncover the hidden truth in this blend of strategy, automation, and exploration. Desynced is a strategy, automation and programming game developed by Stage Games Inc. and published by Forklift Interactive. Released on August 15th 2023 has received 1,373 reviews of which 1,136 were positive and 237 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played programming games.
7.9
1,136
237
99
players
5. Autonauts
In Autonauts you must build, create, and automate. Start by establishing a colony, crafting bots and teaching them via Scratch-style programming to build an ever evolving autonomous paradise of agriculture, industry and enlightenment. Autonauts is a simulation, programming and automation game developed by Denki and published by Curve Games. Released on October 17th 2019 has received 4,785 reviews of which 4,283 were positive and 502 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played programming games.
8.6
4,283
502
54
players
6. Grey Hack
Grey Hack is a massively multiplayer hacking simulator game. You're a hacker with full freedom to act as you wish on a vast network of procedurally generated computers. Grey Hack is a hacking, simulation and programming game developed and published by Loading Home. Released on December 14th 2017 has received 1,590 reviews of which 1,437 were positive and 153 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played programming games.
8.6
1,437
153
53
players
7. Juno: New Origins
Bring to life anything you can imagine from rockets and airplanes to cars and more. Automate them with a visual programming language. Explore 3D planets and make your own. Share your creations online. Complete contracts, conquer milestones, and unlock technology in the newly added Career Mode. Juno: New Origins is a building, science and space sim game developed and published by Jundroo and LLC. Released on January 26th 2023 has received 3,118 reviews of which 2,807 were positive and 311 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played programming games.
8.7
2,807
311
46
players
8. Discord Bot Maker
Discord Bot Maker is a powerful bot development tool for the #1 text and voice chat service for gamers: Discord. With this tool, you and your teammates can take your social experience to the next level! Discord Bot Maker is a utilities, web publishing and software game developed and published by Robert Borghese. Released on August 21st 2017 has received 2,482 reviews of which 2,167 were positive and 315 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played programming games.
8.4
2,167
315
44
players
9. Opus Magnum
Opus Magnum is the latest open-ended puzzle game from Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem, Infinifactory, and SHENZHEN I/O. Design and build machines that assemble potions, poisons, and more using the alchemical engineer’s most advanced tool: the transmutation engine! Opus Magnum is a puzzle, programming and automation game developed and published by Zachtronics. Released on December 07th 2017 has received 6,001 reviews of which 5,848 were positive and 153 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played programming games.
9.4
5,848
153
42
players
10. The Farmer Was Replaced
Program and optimize a drone to automate a farm and watch it do the work for you. Collect resources to unlock better technology and become the most efficient farmer in the world. Improve your problem solving and coding skills. The Farmer Was Replaced is a programming, automation and idler game developed and published by Timon Herzog. Released on February 10th 2023 has received 1,543 reviews of which 1,496 were positive and 47 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played programming games.
9.2
1,496
47
40
players
Best deals on programming games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of programming games available on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted programming games.
1. Autonauts
In Autonauts you must build, create, and automate. Start by establishing a colony, crafting bots and teaching them via Scratch-style programming to build an ever evolving autonomous paradise of agriculture, industry and enlightenment. Autonauts is a simulation, programming and automation game developed by Denki and published by Curve Games. Released on October 17th 2019 has received 4,785 reviews of which 4,283 were positive and 502 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Featuring a massive 98% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for programming category.
8.6
4,283
502
-98%
19.99€
0.43€
2. Juno: New Origins
Bring to life anything you can imagine from rockets and airplanes to cars and more. Automate them with a visual programming language. Explore 3D planets and make your own. Share your creations online. Complete contracts, conquer milestones, and unlock technology in the newly added Career Mode. Juno: New Origins is a building, science and space sim game developed and published by Jundroo and LLC. Released on January 26th 2023 has received 3,118 reviews of which 2,807 were positive and 311 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 97% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in programming games.
8.7
2,807
311
-97%
19.50€
0.63€
3. EXAPUNKS
The year is 1997. You used to be a hacker, but now you have the phage. You made a deal: one hack, one dose. There’s nothing left to lose… except your life. EXAPUNKS is a programming, puzzle and hacking game developed and published by Zachtronics. Released on October 22nd 2018 has received 1,766 reviews of which 1,676 were positive and 90 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 96% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in programming games.
9.0
1,676
90
-96%
19.50€
0.84€
4. Hacknet
Hacknet is an immersive, terminal-based hacking simulator for PC. Dive down a rabbit hoIe as you follow the instructions of a recently deceased hacker, whose death may not have been the accident the media reports. Hacknet is a hacking, simulation and programming game developed by Team Fractal Alligator and published by Fellow Traveller. Released on August 12th 2015 has received 25,115 reviews of which 23,511 were positive and 1,604 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 94% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for programming games.
9.2
23,511
1,604
-94%
9.75€
0.64€
5. Human Resource Machine
Program little office workers to solve puzzles. Be a good employee! The machines are coming... for your job. From the creators of World of Goo and Little Inferno. Human Resource Machine is a programming, puzzle and indie game developed and published by Tomorrow Corporation. Released on October 15th 2015 has received 4,408 reviews of which 4,137 were positive and 271 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 94% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for programming games.
9.0
4,137
271
-94%
14.79€
0.90€
6. TIS-100
TIS-100 is an open-ended programming game by Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem and Infinifactory, in which you rewrite corrupted code segments to repair the TIS-100 and unlock its secrets. It’s the assembly language programming game you never asked for! TIS-100 is a programming, puzzle and indie game developed and published by Zachtronics. Released on July 20th 2015 has received 3,876 reviews of which 3,750 were positive and 126 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 86% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for programming games.
9.3
3,750
126
-86%
6.89€
0.99€
7. 7 Billion Humans
Automate swarms of office workers to solve puzzles inside your very own parallel computer made of people. A thrilling followup to the award winning Human Resource Machine. Now with more humans! 7 Billion Humans is a programming, puzzle and indie game developed and published by Tomorrow Corporation. Released on August 23rd 2018 has received 1,952 reviews of which 1,829 were positive and 123 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 86% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for programming games.
8.9
1,829
123
-86%
14.79€
2.12€
8. SpaceChem
Zachtronics is back with an ambitious new design-based puzzle game. Take on the role of a Reactor Engineer working for SpaceChem, the leading chemical synthesizer for frontier colonies. Construct elaborate factories to transform raw materials into valuable chemical products! SpaceChem is a puzzle, difficult and programming game developed and published by Zachtronics. Released on March 02nd 2011 has received 4,992 reviews of which 4,605 were positive and 387 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 78% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for programming games.
8.9
4,605
387
-78%
9.75€
2.18€
9. Infinifactory
Infinifactory is a sandbox puzzle game by Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem and Infiniminer. Build factories that assemble products for your alien overlords, and try not to die in the process. Infinifactory is a puzzle, building and automation game developed and published by Zachtronics. Released on June 30th 2015 has received 2,414 reviews of which 2,291 were positive and 123 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 67% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for programming games.
9.1
2,291
123
-67%
24.50€
8.20€
10. Opus Magnum
Opus Magnum is the latest open-ended puzzle game from Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem, Infinifactory, and SHENZHEN I/O. Design and build machines that assemble potions, poisons, and more using the alchemical engineer’s most advanced tool: the transmutation engine! Opus Magnum is a puzzle, programming and automation game developed and published by Zachtronics. Released on December 07th 2017 has received 6,001 reviews of which 5,848 were positive and 153 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 66% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for programming games.
9.4
5,848
153
-66%
19.50€
6.67€
Free programming games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play programming games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play programming games.
1. Bitburner
Bitburner is a programming-based incremental game. Write scripts in JavaScript to automate gameplay, learn skills, play minigames, solve puzzles, and more in this cyberpunk text-based incremental RPG. Bitburner is a programming, idler and automation game developed by Fulcrum Games, Hydroflame and over 250 github contributors and published by Fulcrum Games. Released on December 10th 2021 has received 6,636 reviews of which 6,314 were positive and 322 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 466 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free programming games on Steam.
9.2
6,314
322
466
players
2. Space Travel Idle
If you ever dreamed of exploring space at a relaxed pace, here's a journey designed for you. Space Travel Idle is a early access, card battler and programming game developed by Ayatsuji_San and published by Spaceive. Released on September 22nd 2020 has received 529 reviews of which 335 were positive and 194 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free programming games on Steam.
6.1
335
194
30
players
3. Glitchspace
Glitchspace is about reprogramming the game to solve puzzles. Trapped in an abstract cyberspace world, your way forward uses visual programming to edit environmental geometry, whilst unlocking key programming concepts along the way. Glitchspace is a programming, indie and puzzle game developed and published by Space Budgie. Released on May 05th 2016 has received 366 reviews of which 267 were positive and 99 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free programming games on Steam.
6.9
267
99