Free Real-Time Games on Steam
Steam currently has 527 Real-Time games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best free games ranked by popularity and ratings. Data for this list is calculated from reviews and player counts reported directly by Steam and will be updated in real-time. Free Real-Time game rankings were last updated on 12/6/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best real-time games on Steam
- Best real-time Steam Deck games
- Best real-time Steam games for Mac OS
- Best real-time Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. AdVenture Capitalist
Welcome, eager young investor, to AdVenture Capitalist! Arguably the world's greatest Capitalism simulator!
AdVenture Capitalist holds the #1 spot for "best free Real-Time game on Steam" with a Player Score of 87. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 58,519 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 51,462 positive reviews and 7,057 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run AdVenture Capitalist on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 3/30/2015 |
| Developer | Hyper Hippo Games |
| Publisher | Hyper Hippo Games |
| Steam App Id | 346900 |
2. Conflict of Nations: World War 3
This Long Term Strategy Game lets you take control of the armed forces of your nation. Become responsible for its military expansion, technological research and economic development. Form alliances and wage total war for global dominance on the battlefields of World War 3.
Conflict of Nations: World War 3 has achieved a Player Score of 75, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,906 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,808 positive reviews and 1,098 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Conflict of Nations: World War 3 on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 3/15/2018 |
| Developer | Dorado Games |
| Publisher | Dorado Games |
| Steam App Id | 784950 |
3. EMERGENCY
Save lives – be a hero! Join forces against the chaos in the newest title of the award-winning EMERGENCY series. Take up your shift as incident commander and coordinate with other players to fight fires, arrest gangsters and rescue injured civilians. Your city needs you!
EMERGENCY has achieved a Player Score of 66, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,956 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,319 positive reviews and 1,637 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play EMERGENCY on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 8/15/2023 |
| Developer | Sixteen Tons Entertainment |
| Publisher | Sixteen Tons Entertainment |
| Steam App Id | 850170 |
4. Call of War: World War 2
Take over the control of one of the mighty nations during the times of World War 2 in this persisting long-term strategy game. Conquer provinces, forge alliances and build up your economy in real-time. Research top secret weapons of World War 2 and become the one true superpower!
Call of War: World War 2 has achieved a Player Score of 70, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,535 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,946 positive reviews and 1,589 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Call of War: World War 2 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 10/21/2017 |
| Developer | Bytro Labs GmbH |
| Publisher | Bytro Labs GmbH |
| Steam App Id | 672680 |
5. Stronghold Kingdoms
A massively multiplayer grand strategy game, Stronghold Kingdoms is about forging alliances, political mind games, city-building and castle sieges with thousands of other players!
Stronghold Kingdoms has achieved a Player Score of 63, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 9,226 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,907 positive reviews and 3,319 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Stronghold Kingdoms on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 2/28/2012 |
| Franchise | Firefly Studios |
| Developer | FireFly Studios |
| Publisher | FireFly Studios |
| Steam App Id | 47410 |
6. Airline Manager
Create and manage your own airline. Create both passenger and cargo routes all over the world while you upgrade and expand your fleet of airplanes and airports. Airline Manager is among the most realistic of its genre - so prove yourself and beat your friends and other real life managers.
Airline Manager has achieved a Player Score of 68, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,310 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,621 positive reviews and 689 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Airline Manager on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 6/23/2021 |
| Developer | Trophy Games |
| Publisher | Trophy Games |
| Steam App Id | 1641650 |
7. 3on3 FreeStyle: Rebound
3on3 FreeStyle: Rebound allows players to work with their teammates to pull off rim-shaking slam dunks, awe-inspiring alley-oops, flashy no-look passes, and clutch outside shots which breaks the heart of the opposing team in competitive games filled with the joy and energy of street basketball.
3on3 FreeStyle: Rebound has achieved a Player Score of 62, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,620 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,292 positive reviews and 1,328 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
8. 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.
Viridi has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 9,219 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,468 positive reviews and 751 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It 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 |
9. Zero-K
With 100+ truly unique units, Zero-K is an RTS of freedom and creativity, tempered by a decade of refinement. Sculpt land into a castle and throw invaders off it with a Jugglenaut. Explore a massive campaign, solo or co-op. Hop online for epic 32 player battles or fast paced 1v1, on 100s of maps.
Zero-K has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,764 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,524 positive reviews and 240 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Zero-K on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 4/27/2018 |
| Developer | Zero-K Team |
| Publisher | Zero-K Team |
| Steam App Id | 334920 |
10. Wild West Saga: Idle Tycoon Clicker
Wild West Saga is an idle game where you click to make money and build a business fortune! Hundreds of Towns to explore and Patent Cards to collect, dozens of Businesses to upgrade and Outlaws to hire. The end goal? To become the richest Pioneer in the Wild West! So, are you up for it?
Wild West Saga: Idle Tycoon Clicker has achieved a Player Score of 66, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 768 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 525 positive reviews and 243 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Wild West Saga: Idle Tycoon Clicker on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
More Free Real-Time Games
Explore even more rankings for the 50 best free Real-Time games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,503 | 3/30/2015 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 892 | 3/15/2018 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 514 | 8/15/2023 | 66 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 487 | 10/21/2017 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 482 | 2/28/2012 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 408 | 6/23/2021 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 149 | 7/15/2020 | 62 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 123 | 8/20/2015 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 115 | 4/27/2018 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 46 | 12/18/2018 | 66 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 37 | 3/25/2020 | 61 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 28 | 10/2/2017 | 65 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5 | 12/5/2014 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5 | 3/29/2018 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 3/11/2022 | 66 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 2/6/2018 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 5/9/2020 | 64 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 6/2/2020 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 7/28/2022 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 11/2/2021 | 58 | Free | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Player counts 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, December 6). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 6). AdVenture Capitalist on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 25). Conflict of Nations: World War 3 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 16). EMERGENCY on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 15). Call of War: World War 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 16). Stronghold Kingdoms on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 18). Airline Manager on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 16). 3on3 FreeStyle: Rebound on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 18). Viridi on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 5). Zero-K on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 30). Wild West Saga: Idle Tycoon Clicker on Steam. Steam Store.