Free RTS Games on Steam
Steam currently has 2,766 RTS 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 RTS game rankings were last updated on 2/20/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best rts games on Steam
- Best rts Steam Deck games
- Best rts Steam games for Mac OS
- Best rts Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Dota 2
Every day, millions of players worldwide enter battle as one of over a hundred Dota heroes. And no matter if it's their 10th hour of play or 1,000th, there's always something new to discover. With regular updates that ensure a constant evolution of gameplay, features, and heroes, Dota 2 has taken on a life of its own.
Dota 2 holds the #1 spot for "best free RTS game on Steam" with a Player Score of 81. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,432,439 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,983,695 positive reviews and 448,744 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 Dota 2 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
2. Summoners War
A global hit RPG that captured the Summoners all around the world! Jump into the Sky Arena, a world under battle over the vital resource: Mana Crystals. Design your own deck and strategy using over 1,500 Monsters to claim victory. Go on an epic adventure with your Monsters!
Summoners War has achieved a Player Score of 69, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,042 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,670 positive reviews and 2,372 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" 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.
3. Conqueror's Blade
Conqueror's Blade gives you a chance to be a true warlord. Commanding medieval troops in epic 15 vs. 15 siege battles, conquering cities with allies in the open world or fighting against players from all over the world – it's you who make the choice.
Conqueror's Blade has achieved a Player Score of 68, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 32,873 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 22,498 positive reviews and 10,375 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Conqueror's Blade on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 4/6/2020 |
| Developer | Booming Tech |
| Publisher | Poros Interactive |
| Steam App Id | 835570 |
4. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition offers players a trial of this historical single & multiplayer RTS experience. *Note: To unlock all features of the game please see the “Base Game” product.
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition has achieved a Player Score of 83, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 46,718 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 39,457 positive reviews and 7,261 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 10/15/2020 |
| Franchise | Age of Empires Franchise |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Xbox Game Studios |
| Steam App Id | 933110 |
5. Lords Mobile: Last Rise of Qin
Clash with global players in this epic real-time strategy game!
Lords Mobile: Last Rise of Qin has achieved a Player Score of 66, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,534 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,715 positive reviews and 1,819 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Lords Mobile: Last Rise of Qin on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 6/2/2019 |
| Developer | IGG SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. |
| Publisher | IGG SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. |
| Steam App Id | 1041320 |
6. Crusader Kings II
Explore one of the defining periods in world history in an experience crafted by the masters of Grand Strategy.
Crusader Kings II has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 72,479 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 65,592 positive reviews and 6,887 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 Crusader Kings II on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 2/14/2012 |
| Franchise | Crusader Kings Official |
| Developer | Paradox Development Studio |
| Publisher | Paradox Interactive |
| Steam App Id | 203770 |
7. March of Empires
Claim your title as Shogun, Highland King, Northern Tsar or Desert Sultan and join this genre-redefining strategy game where you will wage constant war for real territorial conquest! Fortify your castle, fuel a massive army, and enter the ultimate fight for realm domination!
March of Empires has achieved a Player Score of 63, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,640 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,061 positive reviews and 579 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 March of Empires on the Steam Deck.
8. War Selection
War Selection is a compelling RTS game featuring base building, resource extraction and warfare. Evolve from a stone age tribe to a distinct industrial nation with unique game mechanics and battle for supremacy with dozens of players on a unique procedurally generated map.
War Selection has achieved a Player Score of 84, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 21,410 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 18,430 positive reviews and 2,980 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 possible to play War Selection on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 10/8/2019 |
| Developer | Glyph Worlds |
| Publisher | Glyph Worlds |
| Steam App Id | 1022450 |
9. Game of Thrones Winter is Coming
Game of Thrones Winter is Coming is a PC strategy game based on the HBO drama television series, officially licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment under HBO, and developed and published by YOOZOO Games. Interactive Entertainment and HBO.
Game of Thrones Winter is Coming has achieved a Player Score of 60, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,538 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,539 positive reviews and 999 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Game of Thrones Winter is Coming on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 11/14/2019 |
| Developer | YOUZU (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD. |
| Publisher | YOUZU (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD. |
| Steam App Id | 1105420 |
10. 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 #10 spot for the best free RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,127 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,444 positive reviews and 1,683 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 |
More Free RTS Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free RTS games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 398,828 | 7/9/2013 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 7,071 | 1/8/2024 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,491 | 4/6/2020 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,135 | 10/15/2020 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,148 | 6/2/2019 | 66 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,087 | 2/14/2012 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 870 | 12/11/2017 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 660 | 10/8/2019 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 604 | 11/14/2019 | 60 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 512 | 8/15/2023 | 66 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 493 | 3/15/2018 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 476 | 9/8/2022 | 52 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 389 | 2/28/2012 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 314 | 6/23/2021 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 289 | 12/14/2015 | 58 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 249 | 7/16/2019 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 201 | 5/24/2019 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 179 | 12/19/2017 | 62 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 174 | 10/21/2017 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 160 | 11/3/2020 | 73 | 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. (2025, February 20). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 20). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 12). Summoners War on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 20). Conqueror's Blade on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 19). Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 21). Lords Mobile: Last Rise of Qin on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 19). Crusader Kings II on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 19). March of Empires on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 20). War Selection on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 13). Game of Thrones Winter is Coming on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 24). EMERGENCY on Steam. Steam Store.