Free Shooter Games on Steam
Steam currently has 10,197 Shooter 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 Shooter game rankings were last updated on 5/9/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best shooter games on Steam
- Best shooter Steam Deck games
- Best shooter Steam games for Mac OS
- Best shooter Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Counter-Strike 2
For over two decades, Counter-Strike has offered an elite competitive experience, one shaped by millions of players from across the globe. And now the next chapter in the CS story is about to begin. This is Counter-Strike 2.
Counter-Strike 2 holds the #1 spot for "best free Shooter game on Steam" with a Player Score of 87. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,053,058 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,023,363 positive reviews and 1,029,695 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 Counter-Strike 2 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 8/21/2012 |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Valve |
| Steam App Id | 730 |
2. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS
Play PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS for free. Land on strategic locations, loot weapons and supplies, and survive to become the last team standing across various, diverse Battlegrounds. Squad up and join the Battlegrounds for the original Battle Royale experience that only PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS can offer.
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS has achieved a Player Score of 58, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Shooter games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,360,282 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,378,783 positive reviews and 981,499 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 PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 12/21/2017 |
| Developer | KRAFTON, Inc. |
| Publisher | KRAFTON, Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 578080 |
3. Apex Legends™
Apex Legends is the award-winning, free-to-play Hero Shooter from Respawn Entertainment. Master an ever-growing roster of legendary characters with powerful abilities, and experience strategic squad play and innovative gameplay in the next evolution of Hero Shooter and Battle Royale.
Apex Legends™ has achieved a Player Score of 77, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Shooter games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 826,204 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 643,720 positive reviews and 182,484 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 | 11/5/2020 |
| Franchise | Apex Legends Official |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Electronic Arts |
| Steam App Id | 1172470 |
4. Destiny 2
Destiny 2 is an action MMO with a single evolving world that you and your friends can join anytime, anywhere, absolutely free.
Destiny 2 has achieved a Player Score of 80, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Shooter games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 593,841 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 477,262 positive reviews and 116,579 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Destiny 2 on the Steam Deck.
5. Team Fortress 2
Nine distinct classes provide a broad range of tactical abilities and personalities. Constantly updated with new game modes, maps, equipment and, most importantly, hats!
Team Fortress 2 has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Shooter games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,044,509 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 979,616 positive reviews and 64,893 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 Team Fortress 2 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
6. War Thunder
War Thunder is the most comprehensive free-to-play, cross-platform, MMO military game dedicated to aviation, armoured vehicles, and naval craft, from the early 20th century to the most advanced modern combat units. Join now and take part in major battles on land, in the air, and at sea.
War Thunder has achieved a Player Score of 75, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Shooter games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 488,897 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 367,166 positive reviews and 121,731 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Release Date | 8/15/2013 |
| Developer | Gaijin Entertainment |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 236390 |
7. Warframe
Awaken as an unstoppable warrior and battle alongside your friends in this story-driven free-to-play online action game
Warframe has achieved a Player Score of 86, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Shooter games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 575,260 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 501,529 positive reviews and 73,731 negative reviews — making it "Very 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 | 3/25/2013 |
| Developer | Digital Extremes |
| Publisher | Digital Extremes |
| Steam App Id | 230410 |
8. Overwatch® 2
Overwatch 2 is a critically acclaimed, team-based shooter game set in an optimistic future with an evolving roster of heroes. Team up with friends and jump in today.
Overwatch® 2 has achieved a Player Score of 19, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Shooter games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 265,821 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 48,838 positive reviews and 216,983 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Negative" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Overwatch® 2 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 8/10/2023 |
| Developer | Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. |
| Publisher | Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 2357570 |
9. 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 #9 spot for the best free Shooter games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 538,766 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 493,040 positive reviews and 45,726 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 |
10. THE FINALS
Join THE FINALS, the world-famous, free-to-play, combat-centered game show! Fight alongside your teammates in virtual arenas that you can alter, exploit, and even destroy. Build your own playstyle in this first-person shooter to win escalating tournaments and lasting fame.
THE FINALS has achieved a Player Score of 75, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Shooter games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 163,217 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 122,779 positive reviews and 40,438 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 THE FINALS on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 12/8/2023 |
| Developer | Embark Studios |
| Publisher | Embark Studios |
| Steam App Id | 2073850 |
More Free Shooter Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Shooter games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 743,465 | 8/21/2012 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 109,947 | 12/21/2017 | 58 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 95,025 | 11/5/2020 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 86,253 | 10/1/2019 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 70,227 | 10/10/2007 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 42,805 | 8/15/2013 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 38,984 | 3/25/2013 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 27,868 | 8/10/2023 | 19 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 21,559 | 7/7/2017 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 14,282 | 12/8/2023 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 9,945 | 11/15/2017 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,801 | 5/8/2018 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,789 | 11/9/2016 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,206 | 4/2/2024 | 61 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,023 | 11/15/2021 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,896 | 12/1/2022 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,807 | 7/27/2017 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,406 | 6/17/2023 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,098 | 4/23/2024 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,919 | 12/29/2017 | 91 | 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, May 9). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 9). Counter-Strike 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 14). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Apex Legends™ on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). Destiny 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 22). Team Fortress 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). War Thunder on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 10). Warframe on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 17). Overwatch® 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 17). Unturned on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 17). THE FINALS on Steam. Steam Store.