Free Simulation Games on Steam
Steam currently has 45,818 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 11/27/2025.
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 2,626,001 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,136,111 positive reviews and 489,890 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 2,637,242 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,577,772 positive reviews and 1,059,470 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. 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 #3 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 94,325 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 77,382 positive reviews and 16,943 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 |
4. 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 96, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 75,927 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 74,126 positive reviews and 1,801 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 |
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 687,647 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 500,769 positive reviews and 186,878 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. 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 #6 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 251,384 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 189,549 positive reviews and 61,835 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 |
7. 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 #7 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 182,863 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 159,085 positive reviews and 23,778 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 |
8. eFootball™
Step up and experience the exhilarating soccer game that has now surpassed 900 million downloads! The stars of today, legends of the past, and fellow users from around the world are all waiting for you!
eFootball™ has achieved a Player Score of 49, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 101,252 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 49,903 positive reviews and 51,349 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play eFootball™ on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 9/30/2021 |
| Franchise | KONAMI |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1665460 |
9. 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 #9 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 26,381 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 21,412 positive reviews and 4,969 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 |
10. Once Human
Once Human is a multiplayer open-world survival game set in a strange, post-apocalyptic future. Unite with friends to fight monstrous enemies, uncover secret plots, compete for resources, and build your own territory. Once, you were merely human. Now, you have the power to remake the world.
Once Human has achieved a Player Score of 76, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 158,399 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 121,830 positive reviews and 36,569 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 Once Human on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 7/9/2024 |
| Developer | Starry Studio |
| Publisher | Starry Studio |
| Steam App Id | 2139460 |
More Free Simulation Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Simulation games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 755,298 | 7/9/2013 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 210,759 | 12/21/2017 | 60 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 84,897 | 4/23/2024 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 83,286 | 3/5/2025 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 72,671 | 8/15/2013 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 40,759 | 2/1/2017 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 35,331 | 6/18/2020 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 17,760 | 9/30/2021 | 49 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 17,326 | 11/6/2025 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 15,286 | 7/9/2024 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 14,889 | 6/25/2025 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 12,522 | 5/1/2025 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 12,251 | 1/19/2022 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 10,665 | 11/11/2021 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 10,023 | 11/15/2017 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 10,015 | 3/25/2024 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 9,751 | 4/29/2021 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 8,831 | 9/16/2025 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 8,505 | 8/9/2024 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,774 | 12/16/2010 | 72 | 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, November 27). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 27). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 26). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 26). Banana on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 30). Bongo Cat on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 28). War Thunder on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 26). VRChat on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 29). The Sims™ 4 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 28). eFootball™ on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 30). IdleOn on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 26). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store.