Best Tower Defense 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 tower defense games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free tower defense games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Core Defense
A roguelike tower defense game with a dash of deckbuilding. Choose a reward, improve your build, survive the next wave, repeat. Highly replayable, difficult, and addictive. You'll want just one more wave, just one more run!
Rock of Ages 3: Make & Break
Competitive tower defense meets arcade action and gets rolled up with ACE Team's quirky, Monty Python-esque humor into one giant, creative game for the ages. This time around, you can even make your own levels!
Ninja Kiwi Archive
Enjoy some of the best loved Flash games of the past in this awesome time capsule of over 60 Ninja Kiwi classics. Experience a piece of history and play the original Flash games that spawned the worldwide phenomenon of Bloons TD.
Cyber Agent
Welcome to the world of Cyber Agent! This is an easy to play, hotly fought 3D tower defense game, please use your mouse to aim at the enemy, auto shoot and make sure not to get hurt by the enemy! And pretty ladies to fight with you!
Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville™
Kick some grass in Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville, the wackiest shooter yet!
Dungeon Defenders: Awakened
Dungeon Defenders: Awakened is co-op Tower Defense combined with epic Action RPG combat. You’re able to join forces with up to four players to take on a never-ending army of orcs, demons, and dragons! Are your defenses strong enough to save the world of Etheria?
HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed
Hypercharge is a first and third-person shooter action figure game you've always dreamed of! Grab your friends, complete objectives, defend the Hypercore against waves of weaponized toys, and defeat Major Evil together in the story campaign!
Bloons Monkey City
Create, upgrade, and customize your very own Bloons Monkey City in this groundbreaking blend of city building and tower defense awesomeness!
MechDefender - Tower Defense
MechDefender is an innovative fusion of two gaming genres - seamlessly blending the intense action of a top-down shooter with the strategic depth of tower defense.
Risen Kingdom
Risen Kingdom is a real-time strategy game. Build and fortify your settlements to survive and push back armies of the undead.
Taur
Taur is an action-strategy sci-fi game. Control the Prime Cannon and unlock all of its powerful weapons and abilities. Build turrets, droids, aircraft and more as you fight to protect the homeworld of the Tauron droids against a relentless invasion. Will your Taur stand against the Imperion warmachine?
Time Warpers
Time Warpers is the evolution of the popular incremental game Time Clickers. With features like gun customization, optional permadeath & co-op with friends, it combines a first person shooter with the seemingly endless progression & upgrades of a clicker game.
GemCraft - Frostborn Wrath
The epic tower defense dark fantasy journey continues! Create powerful gems with various abilities and take on the battle against an endlessly flowing army of monsters, and face the growing darkness as you fight your way back towards the Spiritforge.
They Can't Stop All Of Us
D.A.B. Your foes in co-op & PvP battles. (D)efend bases with weapons and skill. (A)ttack with clever AI armies. (B)uild amazingly creative defenses.
AI War 2
The most devious and acclaimed artificial intelligence in strategy gaming is better than ever. A grand strategy/RTS hybrid that reverses many conventions of both genres. Take territory without attracting attention, build your empire with care, and adapt to an ever-evolving galactic battleground.
Rise to Ruins
A brutal godlike village sim that melds the god game, management, and tower defense genres! Fight off hoards of monsters at night, and expand your village in the day time. Inspired by games like Black and White, Rimworld, and Dwarf Fortress but not quite like any of them.
Siege of Centauri
Defend against thousands of enemies in this explosive tower defense game. Deploy upgradable towers and unleash powerful orbital abilities as you try to protect Earth's first colony world from destruction.
Rise of Legions
Rise of Legions has shut down. It was a strategy and deck building game with dynamic, tactical gameplay.
Death Crown
Death Crown is a minimalist real time strategy game in a 1bit style, where you will be play Death herself, commanding her legions of death, and punishing humanity's Kingdom for its overconfidence.Most played tower defense games on Steam
Take a look at the top tower defense games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 30th 2025.
1. Bloons TD 6
The Bloons are back and better than ever! Get ready for a massive 3D tower defense game designed to give you hours and hours of the best strategy gaming available. Bloons TD 6 is a tower defense, strategy and multiplayer game developed and published by Ninja Kiwi. Released on December 17th 2018 has received 351,886 reviews of which 342,292 were positive and 9,594 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 tower defense game, thanks to its 9,207 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.6
342,292
9,594
9,207
players
2. Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition
Zombies are invading your home, and the only defense is your arsenal of plants! Armed with an alien nursery-worth of zombie-zapping plants like peashooters and cherry bombs, you'll need to think fast and plant faster to stop dozens of types of zombies dead in their tracks. Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition is a tower defense, zombies and strategy game developed by PopCap Games and Inc. and published by PopCap Games, Inc. and Electronic Arts. Released on May 05th 2009 has received 138,741 reviews of which 135,401 were positive and 3,340 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 1,416 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among tower defense games based on player count.
9.6
135,401
3,340
1,416
players
3. 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. While seeing 919 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among tower defense games based on player count.
9.4
20,742
893
919
players
4. Idle Hero TD - Tower Defense
Endless idle tower defense game full of deep strategy and combat mechanics. Unlock and upgrade dozens of epic fantasy heroes to defeat an infinite swarm of enemy monsters. Strategize hero positions, synergies, and skills for an effective defense, then sit back and let the auto-battler do its thing! Idle Hero TD - Tower Defense is a early access, strategy and tower defense game developed and published by Swell Games LLC. Released on May 03rd 2024 has received 608 reviews of which 500 were positive and 108 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 900 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played tower defense games.
7.8
500
108
900
players
5. Nordhold
Enemies are coming! Every decision matters: build your city, grow the economy, and prepare for enemy waves. Strengthen your defenses, adapt your strategy, and unleash your hero’s full potential. This unique Tower Defense will test your skills – are you worthy to claim a place at Valhalla? Nordhold is a rogue-lite, tower defense and city builder game developed by StunForge and published by StunForge and HypeTrain Digital. Released on March 25th 2025 has received 1,670 reviews of which 1,515 were positive and 155 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 709 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played tower defense games.
8.6
1,515
155
709
players
6. Kingdom Two Crowns
Gather coins, build defenses and reclaim your fallen Kingdom. Explore and uncover secrets, unlock new technologies and protect your crown versus waves of Greed monsters that come at night. Kingdom is a solo or co-op micro-strategy and tower defense game set in an atmospheric pixel world. Kingdom Two Crowns is a tower defense, minimalist and city builder game developed by Stumpy🐙Squid, Fury Studios and Coatsink and published by Raw Fury. Released on December 11th 2018 has received 7,063 reviews of which 6,244 were positive and 819 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 625 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played tower defense games.
8.6
6,244
819
625
players
7. Legion TD 2 - Multiplayer Tower Defense
An infinitely replayable multiplayer and single-player tower defense. Defend against waves of enemies and destroy the enemy's king before they destroy yours. Legion TD 2 is a one-of-a-kind game of tactics, teamwork, and prediction. Party as 1-8 players. Legion TD 2 - Multiplayer Tower Defense is a tower defense, multiplayer and auto battler game developed and published by AutoAttack Games. Released on October 01st 2021 has received 13,441 reviews of which 11,620 were positive and 1,821 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. With 616 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played tower defense games.
8.4
11,620
1,821
616
players
8. The Perfect Tower II
The Perfect Tower II is a mix between an incremental and a tower defense game. Build a town, manage resources and explore a variety of mini-games and tons of upgrades. Fully automate your game and watch numbers going up! The Perfect Tower II is a strategy, idler and tower defense game developed and published by Fire Sword Studios. Released on February 26th 2021 has received 3,598 reviews of which 3,169 were positive and 429 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 543 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played tower defense games.
8.5
3,169
429
543
players
9. Bloons TD Battles 2
From the creators of Bloons TD6... Bloons TD Battles 2 is a brand new installment of the top-rated head-to-head tower defense game. Gather your Hero, choose your team of powerful Monkey Towers, and prepare to battle one on one against other players and relentless waves of Bloons! Bloons TD Battles 2 is a free to play, tower defense and multiplayer game developed and published by Ninja Kiwi. Released on November 30th 2021 has received 32,078 reviews of which 26,973 were positive and 5,105 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 491 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played tower defense games.
8.3
26,973
5,105
491
players
10. Thronefall
A minimalist game about building and defending your little kingdom. Thronefall is a tower defense, strategy and city builder game developed and published by GrizzlyGames. Released on October 11th 2024 has received 20,200 reviews of which 19,525 were positive and 675 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 315 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played tower defense games.
9.4
19,525
675
315
players
Best deals on tower defense games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of tower defense 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 tower defense games.
1. Deathtrap
Deathtrap is a Tower Defense game with strong action-RPG elements, a game of vicious tricks, killing machines, rotating blades and splattering blood. Deathtrap is a tower defense, rpg and action game developed and published by NeocoreGames. Released on February 04th 2015 has received 2,189 reviews of which 1,837 were positive and 352 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Featuring a massive 93% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for tower defense category.
8.1
1,837
352
-93%
18.57€
1.30€
2. Orcs Must Die! 2
You’ve tossed, burned and sliced them by the thousands – now orcs must die more than ever before! Grab a friend and slay orcs in untold numbers in this sequel to the 2011 AIAS Strategy Game of the Year from Robot Entertainment. Orcs Must Die! 2 is a tower defense, co-op and action game developed and published by Robot Entertainment. Released on July 30th 2012 has received 19,251 reviews of which 17,894 were positive and 1,357 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 92% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in tower defense games.
9.1
17,894
1,357
-92%
12.50€
1.00€
3. Paper Planet
Paper Planet is a planet-defender, arcade roguelike with a doodley, Flash-inspired artstyle. Battle through waves of unique enemies and bosses. Combine items with strange and wacky effects for insanely overpowered runs. Play with 1-4 players, for some chaotic co-op fun! Paper Planet is a action roguelike, tower defense and bullet hell game developed by Doodlegames and published by 2 Left Thumbs. Released on August 21st 2023 has received 469 reviews of which 410 were positive and 59 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 92% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in tower defense games.
8.2
410
59
-92%
12.50€
1.00€
4. GemCraft - Chasing Shadows
An epic, challenging tower defense game with an emphasis on strategy and replayability. Summon gems of immense magical potency and harness their unique abilities against a seemingly endless horde of monsters. The archdemon seeks to swallow the world, and you must journey to stand against her. GemCraft - Chasing Shadows is a tower defense, strategy and indie game developed by Game in a Bottle and published by Armor Games Studios. Released on April 30th 2015 has received 4,121 reviews of which 3,928 were positive and 193 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for tower defense games.
9.2
3,928
193
-90%
10.00€
1.00€
5. Rock 'N' Roll Defense
Rocked by an explosive soundtrack, choose your band, place your equipments and defend the Rock 'N' Roll from everyone and everything who try to pull it down, on a totally hardcore tower defense! Rock 'N' Roll Defense is a tower defense, casual and strategy game developed and published by NukGames. Released on August 10th 2016 has received 2,712 reviews of which 2,350 were positive and 362 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for tower defense games.
8.3
2,350
362
-90%
4.99€
0.49€
6. Heretic's Fork
Dear candidate, we are pleased to invite you to take up the position of manager of Hell. You will punish sinners by using our deck-building computer system to construct hellish towers capable of keeping the endless hordes of the underworld in check. Best of luck! Heretic's Fork is a deckbuilding, tower defense and arcade game developed by 9FingerGames and published by Ravenage Games. Released on September 13th 2023 has received 3,526 reviews of which 3,020 were positive and 506 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for tower defense games.
8.3
3,020
506
-90%
10.00€
1.00€
7. Space Run Galaxy
Space Run Galaxy is the sequel to Space Run, the game from one-man studio Passtech, which seduced hundreds of thousands of players with its dynamic and original gameplay. By twisting the tower-defense game style, Space Run offered an addictive real-time spaceship construction strategy experience. Space Run Galaxy is a strategy, indie and tower defense game developed by Passtech Games and published by Focus Entertainment. Released on June 17th 2016 has received 993 reviews of which 635 were positive and 358 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for tower defense games.
6.2
635
358
-90%
10.00€
1.00€
8. Orcs Must Die!
Slice them, burn them, skewer them, and launch them - no matter how you get it done, orcs must die in this fantasy action-strategy game from Robot Entertainment. Orcs Must Die! is a tower defense, action and strategy game developed and published by Robot Entertainment. Released on October 11th 2011 has received 8,159 reviews of which 7,828 were positive and 331 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 88% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for tower defense games.
9.3
7,828
331
-88%
8.33€
1.00€
9. Warpips
Warpips is the ultimate quick to learn but amazingly deep tug-of-war strategy game. Deploy the right composition of soldiers, tanks, helicopters and planes in this tight, streamlined strategy-focused war game. Compose the best army, research the right tech; overwhelm your enemy! Warpips is a tower defense, strategy and rts game developed by Skirmish Mode Games and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on April 21st 2022 has received 4,451 reviews of which 3,912 were positive and 539 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 88% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for tower defense games.
8.5
3,912
539
-88%
15.50€
1.86€
10. Lumencraft
Lumencraft is a unique combination of a top-down, rogue-like shooter and base building with tower defense elements. Dig and light up dark halls of a fully destructible environment on procedurally generated maps and campaign levels to find precious Lumen - humanity's only chance for survival. Lumencraft is a exploration, action and action rpg game developed by 2Dynamic Games and published by Star Drifters and Surefire.Games. Released on February 28th 2023 has received 1,171 reviews of which 913 were positive and 258 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 88% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for tower defense games.
7.5
913
258
-88%
20.33€
2.44€
Free tower defense games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play tower defense 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 tower defense games.
1. Idle Hero TD - Tower Defense
Endless idle tower defense game full of deep strategy and combat mechanics. Unlock and upgrade dozens of epic fantasy heroes to defeat an infinite swarm of enemy monsters. Strategize hero positions, synergies, and skills for an effective defense, then sit back and let the auto-battler do its thing! Idle Hero TD - Tower Defense is a early access, strategy and tower defense game developed and published by Swell Games LLC. Released on May 03rd 2024 has received 608 reviews of which 500 were positive and 108 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 900 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free tower defense games on Steam.
7.8
500
108
900
players
2. The Perfect Tower II
The Perfect Tower II is a mix between an incremental and a tower defense game. Build a town, manage resources and explore a variety of mini-games and tons of upgrades. Fully automate your game and watch numbers going up! The Perfect Tower II is a strategy, idler and tower defense game developed and published by Fire Sword Studios. Released on February 26th 2021 has received 3,598 reviews of which 3,169 were positive and 429 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 543, this tower defense game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free tower defense games on Steam.
8.5
3,169
429
543
players
3. Bloons TD Battles 2
From the creators of Bloons TD6... Bloons TD Battles 2 is a brand new installment of the top-rated head-to-head tower defense game. Gather your Hero, choose your team of powerful Monkey Towers, and prepare to battle one on one against other players and relentless waves of Bloons! Bloons TD Battles 2 is a free to play, tower defense and multiplayer game developed and published by Ninja Kiwi. Released on November 30th 2021 has received 32,078 reviews of which 26,973 were positive and 5,105 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 491, this tower defense game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free tower defense games on Steam.
8.3
26,973
5,105
491
players
4. Dungeon Defenders II
Dungeon Defenders II is a cooperative Action Tower Defense game packed with roleplaying elements like loot, leveling, and pets. Dungeon Defenders II is a multiplayer, online co-op and co-op campaign game developed and published by Chromatic Games. Released on June 20th 2017 has received 21,785 reviews of which 16,859 were positive and 4,926 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 303 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free tower defense games on Steam.
7.6
16,859
4,926
303
players
5. Bloons Monkey City
Create, upgrade, and customize your very own Bloons Monkey City in this groundbreaking blend of city building and tower defense awesomeness! Bloons Monkey City is a free to play, strategy and action game developed and published by Ninja Kiwi. Released on April 10th 2020 has received 6,166 reviews of which 5,632 were positive and 534 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 245 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free tower defense games on Steam.
8.8
5,632
534
245
players
6. Bloons TD Battles
Go head to head with other players in a Bloon-popping battle for victory. From the creators of best-selling Bloons TD 5, this all new Battles game is specially designed for multiplayer combat, featuring the ability to control bloons directly and send them charging past your opponent's defenses. Bloons TD Battles is a free to play, tower defense and multiplayer game developed and published by Ninja Kiwi. Released on April 20th 2016 has received 29,071 reviews of which 26,380 were positive and 2,691 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 196 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free tower defense games on Steam.
8.9
26,380
2,691
196
players
7. Infinitode 2 - Infinite Tower Defense
Infinitode 2 - a strategy in the Tower Defense genre, in which the player will have to build towers to protect his base from endless waves of enemies. The game features huge maps, lots of towers, resource miners, upgrade tree and map editor. Infinitode 2 - Infinite Tower Defense is a level editor, tower defense and building game developed and published by Prineside. Released on May 06th 2021 has received 3,608 reviews of which 3,294 were positive and 314 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 142 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free tower defense games on Steam.
8.8
3,294
314
142
players
8. Ninja Kiwi Archive
Enjoy some of the best loved Flash games of the past in this awesome time capsule of over 60 Ninja Kiwi classics. Experience a piece of history and play the original Flash games that spawned the worldwide phenomenon of Bloons TD. Ninja Kiwi Archive is a casual, arcade and strategy game developed and published by Ninja Kiwi. Released on July 08th 2020 has received 5,395 reviews of which 5,066 were positive and 329 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 132 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free tower defense games on Steam.
9.1
5,066
329
132
players
9. Bloons Adventure Time TD
Defend Ooo from the Bloon invasion in this epic tower defense crossover. Bloons Adventure Time TD is a strategy, action and tower defense game developed and published by Ninja Kiwi. Released on January 16th 2019 has received 4,266 reviews of which 3,714 were positive and 552 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free tower defense games on Steam.
8.4
3,714
552
93
players
10. Idle Monster TD: Evolved
Evolve epic monsters and crush puny humans in this endless idle tower defense game! Unlock, upgrade, and evolve over 150 unique monsters and pets, ranging from cute and colorful flower creatures to epic fire breathing dragons, to assemble the ultimate team against the endless waves of enemies. Idle Monster TD: Evolved is a idler, tower defense and strategy game developed and published by Monstermob USA and INC. Released on November 16th 2022 has received 1,191 reviews of which 926 were positive and 265 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free tower defense games on Steam.
7.5
926
265
57
players