Free Sandbox Games on Steam
Steam currently has 6,284 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 12/13/2024.
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 230,026 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 173,306 positive reviews and 56,720 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 156,598 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 136,923 positive reviews and 19,675 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 4 |
| 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 286,834 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 278,557 positive reviews and 8,277 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 91, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 549,355 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 502,559 positive reviews and 46,796 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
The RPG where your characters keep leveling up when you're gone! Create unique class combos, and spend loot on powerful upgrades, all while cooking, mining, fishing, breeding, farming, and slaying bosses!
IdleOn - The Idle RPG has achieved a Player Score of 77, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 18,827 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 14,832 positive reviews and 3,995 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. 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 #6 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 78,706 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 62,269 positive reviews and 16,437 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 |
7. 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 #7 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 65,584 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 63,256 positive reviews and 2,328 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 |
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 47,535 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 45,239 positive reviews and 2,296 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. 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 #9 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 22,180 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 19,978 positive reviews and 2,202 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 |
10. 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 #10 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 35,249 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 26,061 positive reviews and 9,188 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).
More Free Sandbox Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Sandbox games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42,887 | 2/1/2017 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 25,846 | 6/18/2020 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 25,334 | 5/16/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 12,584 | 7/7/2017 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 8,541 | 4/2/2021 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 6,346 | 5/16/2018 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 5,601 | 4/24/2015 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 5,536 | 8/9/2024 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,996 | 11/3/2021 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,976 | 12/16/2010 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,121 | 4/6/2020 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,742 | 9/2/2021 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,346 | 2/14/2012 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,060 | 9/1/2022 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,017 | 7/27/2017 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 968 | 7/10/2012 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 958 | 8/2/2013 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 922 | 3/29/2017 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 744 | 7/15/2019 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 687 | 7/9/2015 | 79 | 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 13). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 13). VRChat on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 12). The Sims™ 4 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 2). tModLoader on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 12). Unturned on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 13). IdleOn - The Idle RPG on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 10). Albion Online on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 13). Blender on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 11). Supermarket Together on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 13). Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 6). EVE Online on Steam. Steam Store.