Best Idler Linux Games on Steam

Steam currently has 1,955 Idler games, but not all of them are able to be played on Linux builds. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Idler game rankings were last updated on 9/18/2024.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

1. Virtual Cottage

Virtual Cottage gives you a comfy place to rest and be productive without any distractions. Open the game, set yourself a goal and enjoy the atmosphere.

Virtual Cottage banner

Virtual Cottage holds the #1 spot for "best Linux Idler game on Steam" with a Player Score of 95. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 9,623 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,412 positive reviews and 211 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Virtual Cottage on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 10/7/2020
Franchise DU&I
Developer DU&I
Publisher DU&I
Steam App Id 1369320

2. shapez

shapez is a game about building factories to automate the creation and processing of increasingly complex shapes across an infinitely expanding map.

shapez banner

shapez has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Linux Idler games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 12,181 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 11,745 positive reviews and 436 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play shapez on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $9.99
Release Date 6/7/2020
Franchise Doyoyo Games
Developer Tobias Springer
Publishers
Steam App Id 1318690

3. WorldBox - God Simulator

WorldBox is the ULTIMATE god simulator and sandbox game. A petri dish for your fantasy civilizations. Create your own world or destroy it using many powers. Watch civilizations grow, form kingdoms, colonize new lands, sail to far continents, wars to ignite, empires to fall and towns to burn!

WorldBox - God Simulator banner

WorldBox - God Simulator has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Linux Idler games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 36,136 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 34,213 positive reviews and 1,923 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $19.99
Release Date 12/2/2021
Developer Maxim Karpenko
Publisher Maxim Karpenko
Steam App Id 1206560

4. 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.

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Bitburner has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Linux Idler games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,187 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,884 positive reviews and 303 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Bitburner on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 12/10/2021
Developers
Publisher Fulcrum Games
Steam App Id 1812820

5. Ages of Conflict: World War Simulator

Ages of Conflict is a versatile Map Simulation game where you spawn and observe custom or random AI nations battle it out across an infinite number of worlds. Command nations to nudge the world events into your liking.

Ages of Conflict: World War Simulator banner

Ages of Conflict: World War Simulator has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Linux Idler games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,125 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,997 positive reviews and 128 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $6.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Ages of Conflict: World War Simulator on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $6.99
Release Date 2/17/2023
Developer JoySpark Games
Publisher JoySpark Games
Steam App Id 2186320

6. Luna's Fishing Garden

Luna's Fishing Garden is a short, cozy fishing and building game. Catch fish, trade it in and create the garden of your dreams by planting new trees, placing water objects and bringing animals to the archipelago.

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Luna's Fishing Garden has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Linux Idler games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,935 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,831 positive reviews and 104 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $7.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $7.99
Release Date 6/16/2021
Franchise Coldwild Games
Developers
Publisher Coldwild Games
Steam App Id 1477790

7. Viridi

Nurture a small pot of succulents that grow in real time. Viridi is a safe haven, a place you can return to for a moment of peace and quiet whenever you need it.

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Viridi has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Linux Idler games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 9,111 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,366 positive reviews and 745 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Viridi on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 8/20/2015
Developers
Publisher Ice Water Games
Steam App Id 375950

8. THE LONGING

An unusual mix of adventure and idle game. In utter loneliness deep below the surface, it's your task to wait for the awakening of your king... for 400 days.

THE LONGING banner

THE LONGING has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Linux Idler games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,178 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,693 positive reviews and 485 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $14.99
Release Date 3/5/2020
Franchise Application Systems
Developer Studio Seufz
Publisher Application Systems Heidelberg
Steam App Id 893850

9. Melvor Idle

Inspired by RuneScape, Melvor Idle takes the core of what makes an adventure game so addictive and strips it down to its purest form! This is a feature-rich, idle/incremental game combining a distinctly familiar feel with a fresh gameplay experience. Maxing 20+ skills has never been more zen.

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Melvor Idle has achieved a Player Score of 88, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Linux Idler games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 12,811 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 11,601 positive reviews and 1,210 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Melvor Idle on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $9.99
Release Date 11/18/2021
Franchise Jagex Ltd
Developer Games by Malcs
Publisher Jagex Ltd
Steam App Id 1267910

10. Unnamed Space Idle

Destroy endless waves of alien ships that have all but wiped out humanity in this long form, unfolding, sci-fi idle game. Customize your ship with different weapons and defenses to defeat specific enemy types and utilize a ton of different systems to increase your overall power.

Unnamed Space Idle banner

Unnamed Space Idle has achieved a Player Score of 88, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Linux Idler games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,762 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,628 positive reviews and 134 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Unnamed Space Idle on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 7/27/2023
Developer Sylv
Publishers
Steam App Id 2471100

More Idler Linux Games on Steam

Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Idler games available on Steam.

ImageName
Actions
Virtual Cottage steam charts
276
10/7/2020
95
Free
Steam Charts
shapez steam charts
239
6/7/2020
94
$9.99
Steam Charts
WorldBox - God Simulator steam charts
1,215
12/2/2021
93
$19.99
Steam Charts
Bitburner steam charts
522
12/10/2021
92
Free
Steam Charts
Ages of Conflict: World War Simulator steam charts
225
2/17/2023
92
$6.99
Steam Charts
Luna's Fishing Garden steam charts
2
6/16/2021
90
$7.99
Steam Charts
Viridi steam charts
30
8/20/2015
89
Free
Steam Charts
THE LONGING steam charts
54
3/5/2020
89
$14.99
Steam Charts
Melvor Idle steam charts
3,809
11/18/2021
88
$9.99
Steam Charts
Unnamed Space Idle steam charts
2,503
7/27/2023
88
Free
Steam Charts

Soures & References

Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.

  • Valve Corporation. (2024, September 18). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, September 18). Virtual Cottage on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, September 18). shapez on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, September 4). WorldBox - God Simulator on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, September 18). Bitburner on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, September 17). Ages of Conflict: World War Simulator on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, September 3). Luna's Fishing Garden on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, September 4). Viridi on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, September 18). THE LONGING on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, September 18). Melvor Idle on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, September 20). Unnamed Space Idle on Steam. Steam Store.

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