Free Space Sim Games on Steam

Steam currently has 1,174 Space Sim 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 Space Sim game rankings were last updated on 5/5/2025.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

1. Galaxy Idle Clicker

Embark on an interstellar journey with Galaxy Idle Clicker! Conquer galaxies, upgrade your spaceship, and face off against a myriad of enemy ships. With engaging minigames, powerful upgrades, GIC delivers an unparalleled idle space adventure. Join the cosmic conquest today and dominate the universe!

Galaxy Idle Clicker banner

Galaxy Idle Clicker holds the #1 spot for "best free Space Sim game on Steam" with a Player Score of 72. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 635 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 481 positive reviews and 154 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 Galaxy Idle Clicker on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 7/18/2024
Developer Soehnle
Publisher Soehnle
Steam App Id 2962810

3. Idle Sphere

Stunning sphere-themed idle/incremental game. Experience simplicity's beauty.

Idle Sphere banner

Idle Sphere has achieved a Player Score of 54, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Space Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 244 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 135 positive reviews and 109 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.

It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Idle Sphere on the Steam Deck.

Release Date 11/17/2024
Developers
Publisher Idle System, Inc.
Steam App Id 3217600

4. Infinite Lagrange

Different forces strive to make their own way in the space and desire the control of the Lagrange system- a gigantic transportation network. You, emerging as one of the force leaders, find yourself in a time of challenges and opportunities.

Infinite Lagrange banner

Infinite Lagrange has achieved a Player Score of 55, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Space Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 878 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 494 positive reviews and 384 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 Infinite Lagrange on the Steam Deck.

Release Date 10/8/2021
Developer NetEase Games
Publisher NetEase Games
Steam App Id 1755920

5. Nova: Space Armada

An exceptional sci-fi strategy game based on space adventure as its core.

Nova: Space Armada banner

Nova: Space Armada has achieved a Player Score of 51, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Space Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 88 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 45 positive reviews and 43 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" 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 10/22/2024
Developer STONE3 PTE. LTD.
Publisher STONE3 PTE. LTD.
Steam App Id 1108270

6. Endless Sky

Endless Sky is a 2D space trading and combat game inspired by the classic Escape Velocity series. Work your way up from a relatively wimpy shuttle, cargo ship, or fighter, to a highly upgraded and customized flagship or to a massive fleet of warships or freighters.

Endless Sky banner

Endless Sky has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Space Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,611 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,103 positive reviews and 508 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 Endless Sky on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 10/30/2015
Developer Michael Zahniser
Publisher Michael Zahniser
Steam App Id 404410

7. Star Conflict

Star Conflict is an action-packed, massively multiplayer space simulation game that puts players in the role of elite pilots engaging in a widespread interplanetary skirmish. The whole world for PVP and PVE!

Star Conflict banner

Star Conflict has achieved a Player Score of 72, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Space Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 14,829 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,873 positive reviews and 3,956 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 Star Conflict on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 2/27/2013
Franchise Gaijin Network Ltd
Developer Star Gem Inc.
Publishers
Steam App Id 212070

8. Starborne: Frontiers

Starborne: Frontiers is a free-to-play tactical autobattler with hundreds of unique ships. Form your fleet, customize it with a variety of equipment, and use strategy to create the perfect battlefield formation. Take on bounties, engage in the PvP arena, and bring order to the Frontier.

Starborne: Frontiers banner

Starborne: Frontiers has achieved a Player Score of 64, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Space Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 240 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 163 positive reviews and 77 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" 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 10/14/2024
Developer Solid Clouds hf.
Publisher Solid Clouds hf.
Steam App Id 3021540

9. Nova Empire

Build up a Space Empire and establish control of the Galaxy and the Universe! Nova Empire is a multiplayer space game in which the aim is to build your empire and conquer the galaxy in epic space battles against your rivals with other allies worldwide!

Nova Empire banner

Nova Empire has achieved a Player Score of 54, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Space Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 248 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 135 positive reviews and 113 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" 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 5/26/2022
Developer Gamebear Tech
Publisher Gamebear Tech
Steam App Id 1962770

10. X3: Farnham's Legacy

X3: Farnham's Legacy is a new game in the X3 space game series. TRADE, FIGHT, BUILD, THINK in a living and breathing universe, which incorporates a new storyline and yet more additions to the open, free-form gameplay that forms the core of all X series games.

X3: Farnham's Legacy banner

X3: Farnham's Legacy has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Space Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 597 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 519 positive reviews and 78 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.

Release Date 5/4/2021
Developer Egosoft
Publisher Egosoft
Steam App Id 483330

More Free Space Sim Games

Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Space Sim games available on Steam.

ImageName
Actions
Galaxy Idle Clicker steam charts
1,263
7/18/2024
72
Free
Steam Charts
Naval Action steam charts
240
6/13/2019
55
Free
Steam Charts
Idle Sphere steam charts
185
11/17/2024
54
Free
Steam Charts
Infinite Lagrange steam charts
145
10/8/2021
55
Free
Steam Charts
Nova: Space Armada steam charts
135
10/22/2024
51
Free
Steam Charts
Endless Sky steam charts
88
10/30/2015
89
Free
Steam Charts
Star Conflict steam charts
64
2/27/2013
72
Free
Steam Charts
Starborne: Frontiers steam charts
64
10/14/2024
64
Free
Steam Charts
Nova Empire steam charts
52
5/26/2022
54
Free
Steam Charts
X3: Farnham's Legacy steam charts
34
5/4/2021
82
Free
Steam Charts
Space Travel Idle steam charts
30
9/22/2020
61
Free
Steam Charts
IMPACT steam charts
26
9/2/2024
57
Free
Steam Charts
Kepler-2100 steam charts
25
9/25/2024
75
Free
Steam Charts
Prosperous Universe steam charts
25
4/20/2022
72
Free
Steam Charts
Sputnika Game steam charts
23
2/11/2024
84
Free
Steam Charts
Star Sonata 2 steam charts
16
6/12/2020
63
Free
Steam Charts
Slipstream: Rogue Space steam charts
12
2/12/2024
83
Free
Steam Charts
Space Commander: War and Trade steam charts
10
11/4/2020
65
Free
Steam Charts
SpaceInvasion steam charts
8
2/24/2023
52
Free
Steam Charts
Astrometica: Prologue steam charts
8
5/22/2024
87
Free
Steam Charts
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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, May 5). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, May 5). Galaxy Idle Clicker on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, May 6). Naval Action on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, May 4). Idle Sphere on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, May 1). Infinite Lagrange on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, May 6). Nova: Space Armada on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 24). Endless Sky on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, May 1). Star Conflict on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, May 6). Starborne: Frontiers on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 14). Nova Empire on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 13). X3: Farnham's Legacy on Steam. Steam Store.

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