Free Sandbox Games on Steam
Steam currently has 8,116 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 12/16/2025.
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 252,509 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 190,366 positive reviews and 62,143 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 184,211 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 160,248 positive reviews and 23,963 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 344,003 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 334,129 positive reviews and 9,874 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. IdleOn
The management RPG where your heroes keep fighting even when you're gone! Spend their loot on upgrades, unlock classes from Elemental Wizard to Cannon Pirate, and level up 19 unique skills like Farming, Sailing, and even Construction!
IdleOn has achieved a Player Score of 80, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 26,728 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 21,671 positive reviews and 5,057 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 IdleOn on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 11/6/2025 |
| Developer | Lavaflame2 |
| Publisher | Lavaflame2 |
| Steam App Id | 1476970 |
5. 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 #5 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 559,792 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 509,937 positive reviews and 49,855 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 |
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 80,675 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 77,611 positive reviews and 3,064 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 88,081 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 69,305 positive reviews and 18,776 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. skate.
Experience improved Flick-It controls, the rich physics based skateboarding gameplay that provides those “only in skate.™“ moments and off-board exploration for full freedom in the online multiplayer world of San Vansterdam.
skate. has achieved a Player Score of 70, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 75,656 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 53,190 positive reviews and 22,466 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 skate. on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 9/16/2025 |
| Franchise | Electronic Arts |
| Developer | Full Circle |
| Publisher | Electronic Arts |
| Steam App Id | 3354750 |
9. Upload Labs
A sci-fi management game where you build and optimize your computer's system from the ground up. Connect and configure interconnected nodes to efficiently download, process, and upload files. Manage your setup, solve system challenges, and become the ultimate system architect
Upload Labs 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 4,149 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,797 positive reviews and 352 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 Upload Labs on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 10/3/2025 |
| Developer | EnigmaDev Studios |
| Publisher | EnigmaDev Studios |
| Steam App Id | 3606890 |
10. EVE Online
Over 20 years of legendary space battles! Explore a massive living universe of danger and opportunity in a challenging and highly rewarding space adventure. Fight, trade, build, and connect with a universe driven and shaped directly by players.
EVE Online has achieved a Player Score of 72, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 37,753 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 27,736 positive reviews and 10,017 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 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36,477 | 2/1/2017 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 21,285 | 6/18/2020 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 20,060 | 5/16/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 14,488 | 11/6/2025 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 9,429 | 7/7/2017 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 8,370 | 4/24/2015 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 5,372 | 5/16/2018 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 5,210 | 9/16/2025 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 4,651 | 10/3/2025 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,479 | 12/16/2010 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,440 | 8/9/2024 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,774 | 11/3/2021 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,606 | 4/10/2024 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,590 | 3/29/2017 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,839 | 4/28/2025 | 52 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,782 | 10/21/2025 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,644 | 11/10/2022 | 59 | $39.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,546 | 4/6/2020 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,169 | 9/2/2021 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,054 | 2/14/2012 | 89 | 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, December 16). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 16). VRChat on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 13). The Sims™ 4 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 12). tModLoader on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 10). IdleOn on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 11). Unturned on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 16). Blender on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 3). Albion Online on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 16). skate. on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 15). Upload Labs on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 16). EVE Online on Steam. Steam Store.