Free Sandbox Games on Steam
Steam currently has 6,687 Sandbox 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 Sandbox game rankings were last updated on 3/20/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best sandbox games on Steam
- Best sandbox Steam Deck games
- Best sandbox Steam games for Mac OS
- Best sandbox Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. VRChat
Join our growing community as you explore, play, and help craft the future of social VR. Create worlds and custom avatars. Welcome to VRChat.
VRChat holds the #1 spot for "best free Sandbox game on Steam" with a Player Score of 75. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 235,935 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 178,217 positive reviews and 57,718 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.
| Release Date | 2/1/2017 |
| Developer | VRChat Inc. |
| Publisher | VRChat Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 438100 |
2. The Sims™ 4
Play with life and discover the possibilities. Unleash your imagination and create a world of Sims that’s wholly unique. Explore and customize every detail from Sims to homes–and much more.
The Sims™ 4 has achieved a Player Score of 86, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 164,727 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 143,876 positive reviews and 20,851 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 The Sims™ 4 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 6/18/2020 |
| Franchise | The Sims |
| Developer | Maxis |
| Publisher | Electronic Arts |
| Steam App Id | 1222670 |
3. tModLoader
Dig, Fight, and Build your way through the world of player-created mods on Terraria with tModLoader - this DLC makes modding Terraria a reality!
tModLoader has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 302,882 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 294,148 positive reviews and 8,734 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play tModLoader on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
4. Unturned
You're a survivor in the zombie infested ruins of society, and must work with your friends and forge alliances to remain among the living.
Unturned has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 553,161 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 504,778 positive reviews and 48,383 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 Unturned on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 7/7/2017 |
| Developer | Smartly Dressed Games |
| Publisher | Smartly Dressed Games |
| Steam App Id | 304930 |
5. IdleOn - The Idle RPG
Create different classes who all work together when you're gone! When you return, spend their loot on powerful upgrades and synergies - but don't be fooled by the simple graphics, IdleOn gets more complex with each World Boss you defeat!
IdleOn - The Idle RPG has achieved a Player Score of 78, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 20,143 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 15,980 positive reviews and 4,163 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play IdleOn - The Idle RPG on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 4/2/2021 |
| Developer | Lavaflame2 |
| Publisher | Lavaflame2 |
| Steam App Id | 1476970 |
6. Blender
Blender is the free and open source 3D creation suite. Free to use for everyone, for any purpose.
Blender has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 69,556 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 67,020 positive reviews and 2,536 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly 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 Blender on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 4/24/2015 |
| Developer | Blender Foundation |
| Publisher | Blender Foundation |
| Steam App Id | 365670 |
7. Albion Online
Albion Online is a fantasy sandbox MMORPG featuring a player-driven economy, classless combat system, and intense PvP battles. Explore a vast open world full of danger and opportunity. Grow your wealth, forge alliances, and leave your mark on the world of Albion.
Albion Online has achieved a Player Score of 78, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 81,076 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 64,050 positive reviews and 17,026 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Albion Online on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 5/16/2018 |
| Developer | Sandbox Interactive GmbH |
| Publisher | Sandbox Interactive GmbH |
| Steam App Id | 761890 |
8. Supermarket Together
The multiplayer supermarket has arrived to your neighbourhood for free! Stock your shop space, unlock perks and franchises, hire employees or chase those pesky shoplifters. The more players, the more action!
Supermarket Together has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 60,894 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 57,894 positive reviews and 3,000 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Supermarket Together on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 8/9/2024 |
| Developer | DeadDevsTellNoLies |
| Publisher | DeadDevsTellNoLies |
| Steam App Id | 2709570 |
9. EVE Online
EVE Online is a free-to-play community driven space MMO where players can choose their own path from countless different options. Experience space exploration, immense PvP and PvE battles, mining, industry and a thriving player economy in an ever-expanding sandbox.
EVE Online has achieved a Player Score of 73, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 35,850 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 26,439 positive reviews and 9,411 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 EVE Online on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
10. Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends
The epic story of evolution, technology, humanity, and dinosaurs is yours to tap.
Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends has achieved a Player Score of 88, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 23,092 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 20,777 positive reviews and 2,315 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 11/3/2021 |
| Developer | Computer Lunch |
| Publisher | Computer Lunch |
| Steam App Id | 977400 |
More Free Sandbox Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Sandbox games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35,564 | 2/1/2017 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 29,776 | 6/18/2020 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 20,711 | 5/16/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 12,674 | 7/7/2017 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 10,413 | 4/2/2021 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 7,833 | 4/24/2015 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 6,931 | 5/16/2018 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 4,342 | 8/9/2024 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,882 | 12/15/2010 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,775 | 11/3/2021 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,547 | 4/6/2020 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,301 | 9/2/2021 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,218 | 2/14/2012 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,216 | 7/26/2017 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 995 | 9/1/2022 | 57 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 923 | 3/29/2017 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 915 | 7/10/2012 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 745 | 8/2/2013 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 624 | 7/9/2015 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 515 | 6/14/2023 | 54 | 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, March 20). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 20). VRChat on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 20). The Sims™ 4 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 1). tModLoader on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 19). Unturned on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 21). IdleOn - The Idle RPG on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 20). Blender on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 13). Albion Online on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 19). Supermarket Together on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 20). EVE Online on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 19). Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends on Steam. Steam Store.