Free Simulation Games on Steam
Steam currently has 48,210 Simulation 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 Simulation game rankings were last updated on 3/17/2026.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best simulation games on Steam
- Best simulation Steam Deck games
- Best simulation Steam games for Mac OS
- Best simulation 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 Simulation game on Steam" with a Player Score of 81. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,679,109 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,172,905 positive reviews and 506,204 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. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, the high-stakes winner-take-all shooter that started the Battle Royale craze, is free-to-play! Drop into diverse maps, loot unique weapons and supplies, and survive in an ever-shrinking zone where every turn could be your last.
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS has achieved a Player Score of 60, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,687,717 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,617,459 positive reviews and 1,070,258 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 |
| Franchise | KRAFTON, Inc. |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | KRAFTON, Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 578080 |
3. Bongo Cat
Bongo cat needs your help. Bongo cat needz more hatz!!! Every time you press a key, Bongo cat will punch your taskbar. Type, click, play, work to collect more points. Which hats will you find?
Bongo Cat has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 94,201 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 91,044 positive reviews and 3,157 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Release Date | 3/5/2025 |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Irox Games |
| Steam App Id | 3419430 |
4. 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 has achieved a Player Score of 75, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 258,493 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 194,764 positive reviews and 63,729 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 |
5. 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 72, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 726,146 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 528,881 positive reviews and 197,265 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 |
| Franchise | Gaijin Network Ltd |
| Developer | Gaijin Entertainment |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 236390 |
6. Banana
Banana is a clicker Game, in which you click a Banana! In Banana you click the Banana to gain even more Bananas! Every 3 hours, you get dropped a banana. Each banana is also made by the community in discord. Come hang out with us and let's grow into something awesome !
Banana has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 95,309 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 78,026 positive reviews and 17,283 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Release Date | 4/23/2024 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2923300 |
7. World of Warships
Immerse yourself in thrilling naval battles and assemble an armada of over 600 ships from the first half of the 20th century — from stealthy destroyers to gigantic battleships. Change the look of your ship, choose upgrades to suit your play style, and go into battle with other players!
World of Warships has achieved a Player Score of 76, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 153,281 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 117,533 positive reviews and 35,748 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 World of Warships on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 11/15/2017 |
| Franchise | World of Warships Franchise |
| Developer | Wargaming Group Limited |
| Publisher | Wargaming Group Limited |
| Steam App Id | 552990 |
8. Heartopia
Welcome to Heartopia, a multiplayer life simulation game crafted for creativity, freedom, and peace. Build your dream home, explore a wide range of hobbies, and forge warm connections with friends in a town full of endless possibilities.
Heartopia has achieved a Player Score of 67, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 11,131 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,620 positive reviews and 3,511 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Heartopia on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 1/17/2026 |
| Franchise | XD International |
| Developer | XD |
| Publisher | XD |
| Steam App Id | 4025700 |
9. Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Umamusume: Pretty Derby, winner of Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards 2025, is ready to race! Scout featured trainees and supporters as you navigate the immersive sports life simulation through the game's in-depth training system and top-of-the-line 3D graphics!
Umamusume: Pretty Derby has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 53,012 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 49,772 positive reviews and 3,240 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 Umamusume: Pretty Derby on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 6/25/2025 |
| Developer | Cygames, Inc. |
| Publisher | Cygames, Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 3224770 |
10. 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 #10 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 190,577 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 165,501 positive reviews and 25,076 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 |
More Free Simulation Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Simulation games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 307,713 | 7/9/2013 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 153,190 | 12/21/2017 | 60 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 118,978 | 3/5/2025 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 46,272 | 2/1/2017 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 33,918 | 8/15/2013 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 27,328 | 4/23/2024 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 24,611 | 11/15/2017 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 19,571 | 1/17/2026 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 16,189 | 6/25/2025 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 16,098 | 6/18/2020 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 14,351 | 11/6/2025 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 13,208 | 1/19/2022 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 9,976 | 9/30/2021 | 50 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 9,103 | 7/9/2024 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 7,729 | 3/25/2024 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6,546 | 11/11/2021 | 58 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,202 | 8/14/2023 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,148 | 5/1/2025 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,570 | 11/3/2021 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,570 | 8/9/2024 | 93 | 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. (2026, March 17). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 17). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 18). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 17). Bongo Cat on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 18). VRChat on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 17). War Thunder on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 16). Banana on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 16). World of Warships on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 14). Heartopia on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 17). Umamusume: Pretty Derby on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 18). The Sims™ 4 on Steam. Steam Store.