Free RTS Games on Steam
Steam currently has 2,635 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 11/26/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best rts games on Steam
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- 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 2,362,252 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,926,865 positive reviews and 435,387 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 71, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,731 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,868 positive reviews and 1,863 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. 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 #3 spot for the best free RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 45,236 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 38,393 positive reviews and 6,843 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 |
4. 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 #4 spot for the best free RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 32,016 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 22,070 positive reviews and 9,946 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 |
5. 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 #5 spot for the best free RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 72,078 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 65,292 positive reviews and 6,786 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 |
6. Lords Mobile: Pagani GO!
Clash with global players in this epic real-time strategy game!
Lords Mobile: Pagani GO! has achieved a Player Score of 66, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,460 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,681 positive reviews and 1,779 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: Pagani GO! 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 |
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 1,590 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,033 positive reviews and 557 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 20,945 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 18,046 positive reviews and 2,899 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. 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 76, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,795 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,726 positive reviews and 1,069 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 |
10. 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 59, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,480 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,500 positive reviews and 980 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 |
More Free RTS Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free RTS games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 614,635 | 7/9/2013 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 9,148 | 1/8/2024 | 71 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 4,364 | 10/15/2020 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,875 | 4/6/2020 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,675 | 2/14/2012 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,510 | 6/2/2019 | 66 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,247 | 12/11/2017 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 858 | 10/8/2019 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 815 | 3/15/2018 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 792 | 11/14/2019 | 59 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 521 | 2/28/2012 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 489 | 8/15/2023 | 65 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 474 | 10/21/2017 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 394 | 7/16/2019 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 388 | 12/26/2023 | 64 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 382 | 5/24/2019 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 364 | 6/23/2021 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 323 | 9/8/2022 | 53 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 273 | 12/19/2017 | 62 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 212 | 12/14/2015 | 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, November 26). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 26). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 27). Summoners War on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 17). Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 26). Conqueror's Blade on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 16). Crusader Kings II on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 30). Lords Mobile: Pagani GO! on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 26). March of Empires on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 27). War Selection on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 13). Conflict of Nations: World War 3 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 27). Game of Thrones Winter is Coming on Steam. Steam Store.