Best Resource Management 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 resource management games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free resource management games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Gloomwood
Trapped in a dark, Victorian city consumed by an ancient curse, you must plan your survival and daring escape using nothing but stealth, an arsenal of eccentric weapons, and your wit in this haunting adventure inspired by the immersive sims and survival horror greats of the late 90s and early 2000s.
Lighthouse Keeper
You are tasked with taking care of the old Lighthouse in a small island. Repair its broken parts, hunt for food to get by, gather materials to craft stuff to help you along your journey through 11 islands.
Crustacean Nations
🦀Crustacean Nations🦀 is a real-time strategy game about total crab warfare. Build a sprawling sand castle and amass huge armies to dominate the beach and become the one true crustacean nation!
Arcade Paradise
Manage profits, pick up gum, do the laundry and get coin to unlock arcade units and flip the family laundromat business to become an Arcade Paradise!
Farthest Frontier
Protect and guide your people as you forge a town from untamed wilderness at the edge of the known world. Harvest raw materials, hunt, fish and farm to survive. Produce crafted items to trade, consume, equip and fight with as you battle for your survival against the elements and outside threats.
Recipe for Disaster
Recipe for Disaster is a management sim that captures the fast-paced, drama-filled environment of a professional kitchen and dining room. Build your dream restaurant, create recipes, design menus and manage your staff, all while contending with demanding customers and disastrous situations!
Real estate tycoon
"Illusory life: urban real estate tycoon" is a simulated business role-playing game with urban theme. We try to restore the game world like a novel of urban face slapping, and give the players a "capitalist" identity.（We are a very poor studio, so English translation will be launched in the future）
Retreat To Enen
Base building simulator 1500 years in the future. Journey to the Island of Enen to forage, craft, build, hunt, meditate, and explore across three vast biomes. Discover secrets and create the retreat of your dreams. With over 160 unique items to gather, craft, and build, every home will be unique.
Idle Research
Idle Research is an addictive, resource management, incremental game with both idle and active playstyles. Research and craft colorful Flasks and Tubes to earn as much Energy as possible! Big numbers guaranteed.
Kiwi Clicker - Juiced Up
Deliver more and more kiwis to satiate the kings' hunger - sacrifice their pulp and transcend beyond your fruital form!
Autonauts vs Piratebots
Create, automate and defend an impenetrable base. Assemble and command a Bot army to combat an entire Piratebot invasion. Build, program and battle your way through five different zones.
Bear and Breakfast
Bear and Breakfast is a laid-back management adventure game where you build and run a bed and breakfast...but you’re a bear.
Cartel Tycoon
Cartel Tycoon is a survival business sim inspired by the ‘80s and '90s narco trade. Expand and conquer, fight off rival thugs and evade the authorities. Earn people's loyalty and strive to overcome the doomed fate of a power-hungry drug lord.
NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Awakening
Conquer Warring States Japan under one banner
Clanfolk
Clanfolk is a colony sim set in the Scottish Highlands. Harness your environment to survive - fish, gather, hunt, and farm as you prepare for the winter. Build an inn, trade with other clans, have children and marry them off - live life and prosper across the generations.
Urbek City Builder
Urbek is a city building game where you can build your own neighbourhoods: from nightlife district to industrial district. Don't exhaust your natural resources before you have an educated population to build more efficient structures.
Good Company
Good Company is an in-depth management sim about building a trail-blazing tech corporation. Assemble complex production lines, manage employee logistics, and sell high-quality products on the market to become the best company in the whole county!
Smithworks
Smithworks is a first-person 3D cooperative multiplayer game where players play as fledgling blacksmiths. It is a humorous and chaotic experience where players will need to communicate effectively in order to craft these weapons quickly before the customers get angry.
Starship Troopers: Terran Command
Lead the Mobile Infantry in this RTS game set in the Starship Troopers film universe. Balance your army composition with a diverse set of unit types, overcome line-of-sight and line-of-fire challenges through tactical positioning, and use special abilities to smash the Arachnid hordes!
Frozenheim
Lead your Viking clan onto unknown shores and carve out a future for your people in the fjords of Frozenheim. Gather resources, expand, and watch your settlement grow to a bustling town that will withstand the harshness of winter and wrath of other clans.
The Guild 3
The Guild 3 is a fascinating trade and life simulation that takes place during the late Middle Ages. Step into the shoes of a citizen, acquire businesses and mansions, produce goods and trade them, start intrigues in politics and society, love, hate, bribe, fight and live through good and bad times!Most played resource management games on Steam
Take a look at the top resource management games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of May 01st 2025.
1. Factorio
Factorio is a game about building and creating automated factories to produce items of increasing complexity, within an infinite 2D world. Use your imagination to design your factory, combine simple elements into ingenious structures, and finally protect it from the creatures who don't really like you. Factorio is a automation, base-building and resource management game developed and published by Wube Software LTD.. Released on August 14th 2020 has received 213,390 reviews of which 206,974 were positive and 6,416 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played resource management game, thanks to its 13,456 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.6
206,974
6,416
13,456
players
2. Oxygen Not Included
Oxygen Not Included is a space-colony simulation game. Deep inside an alien space rock your industrious crew will need to master science, overcome strange new lifeforms, and harness incredible space tech to survive, and possibly, thrive. Oxygen Not Included is a colony sim, base-building and survival game developed and published by Klei Entertainment. Released on July 30th 2019 has received 127,555 reviews of which 123,406 were positive and 4,149 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. While seeing 4,349 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among resource management games based on player count.
9.5
123,406
4,149
4,349
players
3. Farmer Against Potatoes Idle
Pick up your sword and fight off waves of Potatoes by upgrading your stats constantly, use Equipment, choose between different Classes, put your many Talents to good use, and so much more designed to keep you entertained for a long time. Farmer Against Potatoes Idle is a idler, casual and clicker game developed and published by Oni Gaming. Released on September 05th 2024 has received 7,044 reviews of which 6,718 were positive and 326 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. While seeing 2,158 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among resource management games based on player count.
9.2
6,718
326
2,158
players
4. Galaxy Idle Clicker
Embark on an interstellar journey with Galaxy Idle Clicker! Conquer galaxies, upgrade your spaceship, and face off against a myriad of enemy ships. With engaging minigames, powerful upgrades, GIC delivers an unparalleled idle space adventure. Join the cosmic conquest today and dominate the universe! Galaxy Idle Clicker is a idler, casual and clicker game developed and published by Soehnle. Released on July 18th 2024 has received 634 reviews of which 481 were positive and 153 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. With 1,275 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played resource management games.
7.2
481
153
1,275
players
5. Mindustry
An open-ended factory management game with RTS and tower defense elements. Mindustry is a base-building, resource management and tower defense game developed and published by AnukenDev. Released on September 26th 2019 has received 21,635 reviews of which 20,742 were positive and 893 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 919 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played resource management games.
9.4
20,742
893
919
players
6. Frostpunk
Frostpunk is the first society survival game. As the ruler of the last city on Earth, it is your duty to manage both its citizens and infrastructure. What decisions will you make to ensure your society's survival? What will you do when pushed to breaking point? Who will you become in the process? Frostpunk is a city builder, survival and resource management game developed and published by 11 bit studios. Released on April 24th 2018 has received 122,181 reviews of which 113,027 were positive and 9,154 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 912 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played resource management games.
9.1
113,027
9,154
912
players
7. Captain of Industry
Land your crew of survivors on an abandoned island and survive! Mine raw materials, grow food, build factories, manufacture products, research new tech, and trade with others. Become an industrial superpower! But this is no easy task, you will be put to the test to keep your settlement alive. Captain of Industry is a base-building, automation and resource management game developed and published by MaFi Games. Released on May 31st 2022 has received 6,505 reviews of which 6,139 were positive and 366 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 778 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played resource management games.
9.1
6,139
366
778
players
8. Frostpunk 2
Develop, expand, and advance your city in a society survival game set 30 years after an apocalyptic blizzard ravaged Earth. In Frostpunk 2, you face not only the perils of never-ending winter, but also the powerful factions that watch your every step inside the Council Hall. Frostpunk 2 is a strategy, city builder and survival game developed and published by 11 bit studios. Released on September 20th 2024 has received 20,739 reviews of which 15,902 were positive and 4,837 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. With 266 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played resource management games.
7.5
15,902
4,837
266
players
9. Airport CEO
Build and manage an international airport! Airport CEO is a flight, resource management and moddable game developed and published by Apog Labs. Released on March 04th 2021 has received 7,621 reviews of which 6,381 were positive and 1,240 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. With 233 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played resource management games.
8.1
6,381
1,240
233
players
10. shapez
shapez is an easy-going, minimalistic factory building game about the automation of shapes through extraction and satisfying production lines. Adapt to increasingly complex shapes and grow your factory across an infinitely expanding map. Your only limitation is your creativity! shapez is a automation, base-building and resource management game developed by Tobias Springer and published by tobspr Games and Doyoyo Games. Released on June 07th 2020 has received 13,549 reviews of which 13,038 were positive and 511 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 183 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played resource management games.
9.4
13,038
511
183
players
Best deals on resource management games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of resource management 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 resource management games.
1. The Pale Beyond
You didn’t ask to lead this expedition, but here you are. Stuck in the ice, Captain missing, miles from civilisation. Someone has to take charge. Manage your meagre resources, balance safety and morale, make the hard calls, and head in the only direction you can - through The Pale Beyond. The Pale Beyond is a resource management, survival and choices matter game developed by Bellular Studios and published by Fellow Traveller. Released on February 24th 2023 has received 1,825 reviews of which 1,624 were positive and 201 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for resource management category.
8.5
1,624
201
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
2. Hexarchy
Hexarchy is an innovative, fast-paced, historical 4x strategy game where you use cards and deckbuilding to make your decisions. Single-player and online multiplayer. Hexarchy is a turn-based, card game and resource management game developed by Main Tank Software and published by Yogscast Games and Gamersky Games. Released on October 19th 2023 has received 1,135 reviews of which 925 were positive and 210 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in resource management games.
7.8
925
210
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
3. Honey, I Joined a Cult
It's time to start working towards that ultimate goal of enlightenment, faith and money…lots and lots of money! Become the ultimate tycoon - create, customise, and manage your own cult whilst listening to funky music. Welcome to Honey, I Joined a Cult! Honey, I Joined a Cult is a simulation, base-building and resource management game developed by Sole Survivor Games and published by Team17. Released on November 03rd 2022 has received 1,720 reviews of which 1,272 were positive and 448 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in resource management games.
7.1
1,272
448
-95%
24.00€
1.20€
4. Help Will Come Tomorrow
In an uninhabitable Siberian wilderness, in a wake of October Revolution, a group of passengers survives the mysterious catastrophe of Trans-Siberian railway train. They must endure in a harsh ice-clad climate until rescue arrives. Facing many dangers, their own weaknesses and, their own prejudice. Help Will Come Tomorrow is a survival, adventure and resource management game developed by Arclight Creations and published by Klabater. Released on April 21st 2020 has received 888 reviews of which 710 were positive and 178 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 94% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for resource management games.
7.6
710
178
-94%
19.67€
1.18€
5. Life is Feudal: Forest Village
LiF:Forest Village is a city builder with survival aspects in a realistic harsh medieval world. Shape, build and expand your settlement, grow various food to prevent your villagers from avitaminosis and starvation. Possess them for additional micromanagement or simply to wander around. Life is Feudal: Forest Village is a city builder, colony sim and strategy game developed by Mindillusion and published by Bitbox Ltd.. Released on May 26th 2017 has received 5,881 reviews of which 3,897 were positive and 1,984 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for resource management games.
6.5
3,897
1,984
-93%
24.57€
1.72€
6. Cartel Tycoon
Cartel Tycoon is a survival business sim inspired by the ‘80s and '90s narco trade. Expand and conquer, fight off rival thugs and evade the authorities. Earn people's loyalty and strive to overcome the doomed fate of a power-hungry drug lord. Cartel Tycoon is a top-down, rts and resource management game developed by Moon Moose and published by tinyBuild. Released on July 26th 2022 has received 3,518 reviews of which 2,687 were positive and 831 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for resource management games.
7.4
2,687
831
-92%
28.25€
2.26€
7. Frostpunk
Frostpunk is the first society survival game. As the ruler of the last city on Earth, it is your duty to manage both its citizens and infrastructure. What decisions will you make to ensure your society's survival? What will you do when pushed to breaking point? Who will you become in the process? Frostpunk is a city builder, survival and resource management game developed and published by 11 bit studios. Released on April 24th 2018 has received 122,181 reviews of which 113,027 were positive and 9,154 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for resource management games.
9.1
113,027
9,154
-91%
30.00€
2.70€
8. Siege Survival: Gloria Victis
A medieval city under siege and a handful of civilians are all that keep the walls from falling. Mixing survival strategy and resource management, build your camp, craft supplies, and scavenge the occupied city to supply the last troops holding back the invaders. Siege Survival: Gloria Victis is a singleplayer, city builder and immersive sim game developed by Black Eye Games and published by Ravenscourt. Released on May 18th 2021 has received 1,631 reviews of which 1,286 were positive and 345 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for resource management games.
7.6
1,286
345
-91%
25.11€
2.26€
9. Train Valley
Build railways, manage traffic and stay accident-free. Play in Europe, America, Japan and USSR in 1830-2020. Complete the story mode from the Gold Rush of 1849 to the first manned spaceflight, and then explore the random mode. Management. Construction. Trains. Welcome to Train Valley! Train Valley is a replay value, resource management and indie game developed by Alexey Davydov, Sergey Dvoynikov, Timofey Shargorodskiy and Flazm and published by Flazm and META Publishing. Released on September 16th 2015 has received 3,290 reviews of which 2,953 were positive and 337 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for resource management games.
8.6
2,953
337
-90%
10.00€
1.00€
10. Godlike Burger
In Godlike Burger you run the craziest restaurant of the galaxy! Stun, poison and kill customers in many devious ways… and turn them into burger meat! And don’t worry: Alien customers will keep coming if you are smart about it, because cannibalism is just too damn tasty. Godlike Burger is a cooking, time management and resource management game developed by Liquid Pug and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on April 21st 2022 has received 777 reviews of which 591 were positive and 186 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 89% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for resource management games.
7.3
591
186
-89%
20.00€
2.20€
Free resource management games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play resource management 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 resource management games.
1. Farmer Against Potatoes Idle
Pick up your sword and fight off waves of Potatoes by upgrading your stats constantly, use Equipment, choose between different Classes, put your many Talents to good use, and so much more designed to keep you entertained for a long time. Farmer Against Potatoes Idle is a idler, casual and clicker game developed and published by Oni Gaming. Released on September 05th 2024 has received 7,044 reviews of which 6,718 were positive and 326 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 2,158 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free resource management games on Steam.
9.2
6,718
326
2,158
players
2. Galaxy Idle Clicker
Embark on an interstellar journey with Galaxy Idle Clicker! Conquer galaxies, upgrade your spaceship, and face off against a myriad of enemy ships. With engaging minigames, powerful upgrades, GIC delivers an unparalleled idle space adventure. Join the cosmic conquest today and dominate the universe! Galaxy Idle Clicker is a idler, casual and clicker game developed and published by Soehnle. Released on July 18th 2024 has received 634 reviews of which 481 were positive and 153 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 1,275, this resource management game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free resource management games on Steam.
7.2
481
153
1,275
players
3. Industry Idle
Industry Idle is an idle game that combines factory building, resource management and market trading. Design & build your base, expand & scale up your productions, improve & optimize your economy. Plus all the incremental game goodies: offline earnings, prestige to unlock more powerful upgrades. Industry Idle is a automation, idler and resource management game developed by FishPond and published by Fish Pond Studio. Released on September 13th 2024 has received 1,354 reviews of which 1,054 were positive and 300 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
7.5
1,054
300
51
players
4. Magic Archery
Train a commoner to become the greatest archer in this short incremental game! Increase your stats, gather wealth from quests, buy upgrades, and infuse your arrows with magic. Magic Archery is a clicker, idler and fantasy game developed and published by Barribob. Released on October 04th 2024 has received 5,412 reviews of which 5,349 were positive and 63 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
9.5
5,349
63
32
players
5. Prosperous Universe
In Prosperous Universe start your galactic empire by trading on the real-time market exchange with other real players. Build your 1st base from humble beginnings & watch as your business flourishes with complex supply chain strategies. Economics, politics & realism fuel this immersive business MMO. Prosperous Universe is a early access, economy and resource management game developed and published by simulogics. Released on April 20th 2022 has received 886 reviews of which 666 were positive and 220 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
7.2
666
220
28
players
6. Cookard
Cookard is a cooking game where you run a restaurant by stacking cards to prepare and serve dishes to customers. Cookard is a free to play, card game and cooking game developed and published by Panitia GameDev and Cliffbite Game. Released on May 10th 2024 has received 1,895 reviews of which 1,833 were positive and 62 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
9.2
1,833
62
14
players
7. Pacifish
Pacifish is an incremental fishing management game with several mechanics to interact with and improve. It can be played both idly, or more actively to progress faster. Pacifish is a casual, idler and resource management game developed and published by Conifer Studios. Released on June 07th 2022 has received 667 reviews of which 557 were positive and 110 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
7.9
557
110
9
players
8. Beecarbonize
Do you have what it takes to save the planet? Beecarbonize is an environmental card strategy game with climate change as your opponent. Beecarbonize is a strategy, card game and resource management game developed and published by Charles Games. Released on August 01st 2023 has received 1,963 reviews of which 1,834 were positive and 129 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
8.9
1,834
129
4
players
9. Bakso Simulator
Create the most successful bakso business in this world! Bakso Simulator is a simulation, cooking and resource management game developed and published by Akhir Pekan Studio. Released on October 08th 2022 has received 1,622 reviews of which 1,486 were positive and 136 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
8.7
1,486
136
3
players
10. Outpath: First Journey
Outpath: First Journey is a prologue chapter of the main game, Outpath. An experimental clicker base building game. Craft, gather & manage resources, build your base and buy more islands to exploit and expand! Outpath: First Journey is a base building, resource management and crafting game developed by David Moralejo Sánchez and published by GrabTheGames and UpgradePoint. Released on December 17th 2022 has received 4,725 reviews of which 4,592 were positive and 133 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
9.4
4,592
133
2
players